Maria Neglia

Maria's logo

Maria Neglia was a violinist, child prodigy, and entertainer. Born 7 August 1927, Corleone, Palermo, Sicilia, Italy † died 27 August 2016, Waco, McLennan, Texas, USA

During the 1950s and 1960s, Maria was a regular guest on the Ed Sullivan Show (appearing 24 times), as well as the Johnny Carson, Mike Douglas, and Joey Bishop shows, and most importantly, on the Arthur Godfrey Show. It was on her first television broadcast with Godfrey that she was discovered.

Florida's Senator George Smathers, along with fellow-show business stars Bob Hope, Arthur Godfrey, Jackie Gleason, Martha Raye, Kate Smith, Jack Paar, and Ed Sullivan, wrote to the U. S. senate to attest to Maria’s talents and extraordinary personality. Through a special vote, Smathers ultimately helped clear the path for her United States citizenship. This special legislation was approved and signed by President Dwight Eisenhower, who quickly became friends with my aunt Maria. Maria performed at the White House several times, for President Eisenhower but also for President Nixon.

Eary career

From her earliest days, Maria displayed controlled technique on the violin.

In one of the articles I found on Maria, the author explains her early days; it reads in part:

Maria's father, Professor Angelo Neglia, was one of Italy’s noted conductors and foremost violin teachers. At the age of 3½, Maria began lessons with her father, as her talent was already evident from that early age. She astounded her father by playing scales with ease and clarity, and by the age of five, she was already performing in some of Italy's larger concert halls.

MCA (Music Corporation of America) announcements from the 1950s Press Relations Department MCA 598 Madison Avenue, New York

Maria Neglia, the fiery young violinist, owes her presence in the United States to an American Army sergeant. Soon after the Americans began their occupation of Germany, Sargent Mike Spector walked into an entertainment hall of the army camp at Rosenheim, Germany. One of the attractions of the evening was a teenage violinist, an Italian girl named Maria Neglia.

As Maria started playing, Sargent Spector leaned forward attentively; a hush settled over the audience. A former theatrical agent, Spector knew good talent when he heard it. The enthusiastic cheers of the GI audience bore him out; this girl was good! After the performance, he got together with Maria and promised to make every effort to get her into the United States upon returning to civilian life.

Mike Spector never forgot his promise, and in November 1948, he succeeded in booking her into the Park Avenue lounge in Miami. Overnight she became a sensation. From Miami, she moved into the Palmer House in Chicago, where she was such a hit that the management, for the first time in its history, booked her for an immediate return engagement.

She played the Plaza in New York, the Radisson in Minneapolis, and Copley Plaza in Boston among other top spots. On television, she appeared on Ed Sullivan's “Toast of the Town,” Arthur Godfrey’s “Talent Scouts,” and “Cavalcade of Bands.”

It was a far cry from an army recreation center in Rosenheim, Germany, but if you ask Mike Spector, he will tell you she belonged there all the time.

After visiting a friend at CBS, where Spector watched entertainers such as Bing Crosby and Guy Lombardo rehearse, he decided to try his hand at managing artists.

When World War II began, Spector went overseas with the U.S. 3rd Army in the 118th Signal Intelligence Company under General George S. Patton. After the war, he worked as a talent scout with Universal Pictures but got pink-slipped in the aftermath of a 1947 merger. That's when he moved to South Florida and decided to open a record store. The first Spec’s debuted on Dixie Highway in Coral Gables in 1948.

In 1952 while in the United States, from Italy, on a visitor’s permit, Maria became a celebrity without even knowing it. Let me explain.

It started when Maria appeared on the Arthur Godfrey Television Show out of Miami. Florida’s Senator George Smathers saw the show and was highly impressed with Maria's talent and warm personality. When he learned her permit was set to expire in the next few months, he introduced a bill to Congress which would allow her to remain in this country. As one of Maria’s sponsors, Godfrey sent a glowing letter to Washington on Maria’s behalf, as did many others. Her brother, Giuseppe, is also mentioned in the bill. Upon moving to America, he used the English translation of his name, Joseph.

Immigration

The document, which made it possible for the Neglia family to stay in the United States, is reproduced here:

FROM THE LAW LIBRARY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

REPORT No. 614 83RD CONGRESS, 1st Session

MARIA NEGLIA AND ANGELO NEGLIA

18 JUNE 1953. Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed. Mr. GRAHAM, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany S. 604] The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom has referred the bill (S. 604) for the relief of Maria Neglia and Angelo Neglia, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass.

PURPOSE OF THE BILL The purpose of the bill is to grant the status of permanent residence in the United States to Maria Neglia and Angelo Neglia. The bill provides for appropriate quota deductions and for the payment of the required visa fees.

GENERAL INFORMATION The beneficiaries of the bill are father and daughter. They were born in Italy on 9 January 1896, and 7 August 1927, respectively, and last entered the United States as visitors on February 21, 1949. Miss Neglia is an accomplished violinist, and her father is presently acting as secretary and manager for her.

A letter, with the attached memorandum, dated 3 April 1953, to the chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary from the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization with reference to the case reads as follows:

3 APRIL 1963. Hon. WILLIAM LANGER, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR: In response to your request of the Department of Justice for a report relative to the bill (S. 604) for the relief of Maria Neglia, Angelo Neglia, and Giuseppe Neglia, there is annexed a memorandum of information from the Immigration and Naturalization Service files concerning the beneficiaries.

According to the files of this Service, Giuseppe Neglia adjusted his immigration status in 1952 by departing to Canada and returning to the United States as a permanent resident. The bill would grant the other two aliens permanent residence in the United States upon payment of the required visa fees. It also would direct that the required quota numbers be deducted from the appropriate immigration quota.

Since the aliens are chargeable for the quota for Italy, which is oversubscribed, immigrant visas are not readily obtainable.

Sincerely, -Commissioner

MEMORANDUM OF INFORMATION FROM IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE Files RE: MARIA NEGLlA, ANGELO NEGLIA, AND GIUSEPPE NEGLIA, BENEFICIARIES OF S. 601.

Giuseppe Neglia, who has adjusted his immigration status, should not be included in the bill. The aliens, Angelo and Maria Neglia, are father and daughter. They are natives and citizens of Italy who were born on 9 January 1896 and 7 August 1927, respectively. They last entered the United States on 21 February 1949, in Miami, Florida, as visitors for two months. The period of their temporary stay was subsequently extended to 20 August 1949. They had originally entered this country on 18 October 1948, at the port of New York as visitors for a period of 6 months, and thereafter departed on 6 February 1949.

On 10 May 1949, H. R. 4630 was introduced in the 81st Congress on the aliens' behalf but was not enacted. On 10 January 1952, S. 2386 was introduced in the 82nd Congress on their behalf and was not enacted. Warrants for their arrest in deportation proceedings were issued on 9 April 1952, charging that they were immigrants not in possession of valid immigration visas at the time of their entry. At the hearings accorded them under the warrants of arrest, they were granted the privilege of departing from the United States voluntarily in lieu of deportation. The aliens, Angelo and Maria Neglia failed to depart. On 5 February 1953, a stay of deportation was directed in their cases pending consideration of the instant bill.

Miss Neglia is a violinist by profession. Her average weekly income is about $500.00. Mr. Angelo Neglia is presently acting as secretary and manager for his daughter, for which he receives $60 to $70 a week. The aliens have no dependents in the United States. Their only relative residing in this country is Giuseppe Neglia, who is the brother of Maria Neglia.

Senator George Smathers, the author of the bill, has written to the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee as follows:

UNITED STATES SENATE, COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS

27 February 1968.

Honorable WILLIAM E. LANGER, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, United States Senate, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SENATOR: S. 604, an immigration bill for the relief of Maria Neglia et al., introduced by me, has been referred to your committee and your Immigration Subcommittee, I am informed. I am enclosing herewith a brief covering the history, activities, and other information of interest in connection with this family, for the advice and consideration of the subcommittee handling this legislation.

Let me say that this is one bill on which I am very hopeful early action will be taken. I shall therefore appreciate anything which you and your committee may be able to do to have consideration of it expedited.

Thanking you, and with kindest regards, Sincerely yours, GEORGE SMATHERS, United States Senator

The history of the beneficiaries of the bill is contained in the following statement:

HISTORY OF ANGELO NEGLIA AND MARIA NEGLIA

Angelo Neglia, age 67, was born on 9 January 1886, in Enna, Sicily, Italy, of a musical family, the son of Giuseppe and Maria (née Greca) Neglia. His father's occupation was that of the local orchestra conductor, who also taught music in his community.

After graduating from the local high school at the age of 17, Angelo volunteered for service in the Italian Army in the Music Corps. It was during these days that he furthered his music studies which had been started under his father.

From 1915 to 1918, Mr. Neglia was called back into service during the First World War and was a sergeant in the Italian Army affiliated with the Allied Governments. He was honorably discharged from the army, after which he continued studying and began to conduct various orchestras and lead various bands throughout the entire Italian peninsula. At the age of 34, in the year 1920, he established a music school at Reggio Calabria. At this point, Mr. Neglia began his training school of music for children, following which he became quite well known throughout Italy, and his services were in great demand.

In 1926, at the age of 40, Mr. Neglia established another school at Trieste, Italy. It was here that Maria and Giuseppe Neglia were born to him and Maria's mother, Dora. Maria was born in 1927, and Giuseppe was born in 1929. Having established this fine music training school for children, it followed that Mr. Neglia would teach his daughter music. For the following five years, from 1927 to 1932, Angelo trained his daughter, Maria, for violin and found her to be a child prodigy, whereupon the Neglia family began to travel on concert tours, Maria giving her first concert at the age of 5.

From 1932 to 1938, this family traveled all over Italy, and Mr. Neglia kept training his child, teaching her, and arranging her concert career.

It was during the year 1938, after Maria's brother, Giuseppe, had been placed in a private school in Bologna, Italy, remaining there until 1941, that Mr. Neglia took his family to Berlin, and here Maria gave a concert at the Winter Garden for 1 month's engagement. As a result of this engagement, this child's violin artistry was recognized. Many contracts were negotiated for Maria for a period of 1 year all over Germany, followed by engagements in Czechoslovakia, Poland, Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg, and Strasbourg.

Private tutors handled Maria's schooling, and her mother and father managed to teach her whenever it was impossible to get private instruction.

From 1938 to 1941, when Europe became engulfed in the Second World War, the Neglia family would constantly leave every country that was engaged in war and would take concert engagements only where they were able to escape military entanglements, playing for neutral zones wherever possible.

From 1941 to 1945, during the time of the Second World War, when the United States took part in this world fiasco, the Neglia's spent most of their time in Austria, constantly avoiding the bombed cities and war fronts. It was here that they were in constant fear of getting into political entanglements and further found themselves in great fear of the Nazis, Communists, and the Fascists. At this time, they realized how Italian boys were being lured to Germany with promises of work only to find themselves without food and very few opportunities to earn a living. They could see at this point the fraud that was being perpetrated upon the Italian people and the fear that was encompassing all free people. They could constantly see around them the penalty of speaking their piece. They dared not express their sentiments or opinions regarding the political situation. They found themselves traveling from city to city, losing all their personal belongings, going into underground shelters and constantly avoiding bombings, and capable of trusting no one for fear of prosecution. Further, they were in daily anticipation of corporal punishment and arrest because of the numerous spies who were always around them attempting to pry information from them since they had been traveling.

The small threesome continued to move eastward toward the free countries, looking for a possible engagement where they could be paid a living wage or at least breathe free air once again. Finally, in 1945, while fleeing from the Russians, they were forced to leave everything they owned, lost all their money, and, in an attempt to get transportation from one city to another, they slept on cattle trains, took any conveyance possible, and found themselves in Germany, 2 miles from Austria, where the city was overtaken by the Americans.

Here, Maria and her father asked the American officers if they could entertain the soldiers. After being investigated and finding that they were free of all political entanglements, they were allowed to entertain the American soldiers in camps and hospitals or wherever groups gathered. At this time, Maria's father, Angelo Neglia, met an American sergeant by the name of Martin W. Spector, who had been a talent scout and an artist's agent in America. It was Mr. Spector who recognized Maria's talent and stated that he would get Maria to the United States and have her play her violin for American audiences at some future date. This young lady played for the American forces during this time, giving 70 percent of her work as charity recitals. Her father took whatever engagements were offered, and played for special services of the Armed Forces, and continued to work for the Red Cross, hospitals, mess halls, officers' clubs without pay the majority of the time and, whenever possible, took engagements that would reimburse them for their time and effort.

The Neglia family returned to Italy in March 1948 and received a communication from Mr. Spector, who negotiated a contract with the Neglia's to have them come to the United States, whereupon he would supply their visitor's visas and the necessary funds in return for a 5-year contract. He became her personal manager for a consideration of 25 percent of all the fees she received while playing here in the United States. Angelo, abandoning everything he had in Italy in order to allow Maria this opportunity, came to America with Maria and Giuseppe, and the mother remained in Italy with relatives. It was necessary for the father to come over as Maria's manager and director, while her brother, who had studied English, came as an interpreter and was able to help them orientate themselves in this country.

Maria's first engagement in the United States was at the Park Avenue Lounge in Miami Beach, Florida. Following this engagement, she entered into a contract with the Music Corporation of America. Approximately one year later, she accepted special engagements wherever she was sent throughout the United States. Presently, Miss Neglia is engaged at the Vagabond Club in Miami, Florida, and has had a very successful run, having been singled out by Mr. Arthur Godfrey for his television show originating in New York.

Maria and her father are presently residing in Miami, Florida, and her brother is married to an American citizen in the city of New York. Her contract with Mr. Spector runs out in May of this year.

The Music Corporation of America has offered her a renewal contract, and several other offers have been forthcoming, which are pending executions upon determination of her residency status.

Angelo Neglia and Maria Neglia have shown their great love for this country by doing a tremendous amount of charitable work, the evidence of which is attached to this brochure. They have saved some of their money, been prudent and industrious in their attempt to adjust themselves to this new life, and Maria has found herself capable of speaking the English language with much fluidity and, in her own words, loves the American type of life. Her ability to imitate the youth of America is shown in being interested in our schools, our Government, our American culture, and advances in radio and television. All of this is evident in her charitable performances throughout the country. In addition to the above, Senator Smathers has submitted numerous letters and recommendations on behalf of the beneficiaries of the bill, referring to the outstanding talent of Mr. and Miss Neglia and the numerous charitable performances which she has given on behalf of various meritorious groups.

After consideration of all the facts in the case, the committee is of the opinion that the bill (S. 604) should be enacted.

Here are some of the recommendation letters that were sent to Senator Smathers on the family's behalf.

Maria’s first knowledge that President Eisenhower had signed the bill came via a long-distance phone call from Godfrey in New York. His opening words were reported to be, “Congratulations, You’re in! Be sure to go to the immigration office and get your green card!”

Maria burst into grateful tears, the happiest she had ever shed. In 1958 Maria became a citizen of the United States. The United States also welcomed her as an artist so sought after that she was booked 52 weeks a year at all the top nightclubs, concert halls, and television programs.

During World War II, and after she had appeared in virtually every major city in Europe, Maria volunteered to work for the U. S. Army Special Services. She was a front-line entertainer for Allied troops throughout the Continent, and many of the G.I.s, fondly remember her as "the tiny fiddler with the expressive eyes."

Arthur Godfrey insisted that Maria share with their television audience Maria’s favorite and most beautiful words she knows: the preamble to the United States Constitution! She shared that the three greatest thrills for her life were the first time she saw the Statue of Liberty; the news that a special bill had been passed by Congress allowing her to stay in America; and performing at the White House for President Eisenhower.

Maria played before President Eisenhower on three different occasions. On the first occasion, she walked up to the President and said: "I had to thank you in person for making it possible for me to stay here." As a result, the President was so touched that he devoted a 10-minute speech before the 700 people assembled on immigration and the bills he had to sign each day.

He described how he felt when a talented young lady came to him and thanked him in person, bringing home firmly the realization of how many human beings were affected by the printed pages to which he attached his signature. Maria broke into tears, tears of happiness and amazement that the United States President could be talking about her.

Another time, Maria received a wire from Mrs. Eisenhower asking her to appear at a party in the White House. When the news came, without hesitation, she booked a flight from Las Vegas, where she was engaged, to the White House. The third time, Maria was invited to appear at the Alfalfa Dinner, where the President was also a guest. She flew up from Miami this time, commenting, "No distance is too great for me to cover in order to play for the President."

Shortly after her entry and first series of performances in the United States, reporters wrote about her very favorably.

Press Relations Department, MCA 598 Madison Avenue, New York 22, New York

The vivacious virtuoso of the violin made her American debut as a teenager at Miami Beach's Park Avenue Lounge and won immediate acclaim for her prowess as both a masterful instrumentalist and subtle pantomimist.

The sleek and chick Maria possesses a devastating sense of humor that is at once apparent when she performs. Offstage, her humorous asides have proven to be miniature blockbusters. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Florida's Senator George Smathers, and fellow-show business stars that include Bob Hope, Arthur Godfrey, Jackie Gleason, Martha Raye, Kate Smith, Jack Paar, and Ed Sullivan, among the many, can attest to her talents as a delightfully warm human being, one who is as serious about her music and the violin as she is sensible in going through life loving people and enjoying life to the fullest extent possible.

In an age when the musical masters, Heifetz and Kreisler, are considered geniuses, Maria Neglia, the foremost classical and pop player of her sex, has been dubbed ‘the petite, brunette female Columbus who has made Americans discover how exciting and entertaining a violin can be!’

Maria appeared as the headliner of many Nightclubs throughout the United States, including New York’s Plaza Hotel and Copacabana, Pittsburgh’s Holiday House, Chicago’s Palmer House and Chez Paree Chicago, the Biltmore Bowl in Los Angeles, Ciro’s in Hollywood, Sahara in Las Vegas, Riverside in Reno, Vagabonds Club in Miami, Miami Beach’s Fontainebleau and the Americana, San Juan International in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the Town Casino in Buffalo, Henry Grady in Atlanta, Chase Club in St. Louis, The National in Havana, Cuba, and the Roosevelt in New Orleans.

Maria’s New York concert performances included Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, Radio City Music Hall, The Roxy Theatre, and The Palace Theatre. In Chicago, she performed at the famed Chicago Theatre.

She kept journals where she recorded an accurate snapshot, in writing, of the day's events. When I came upon them, I was taken aback. Seeing Maria’s journals made me pause to reflect. Not only were we connected through music, but now I learned that we enjoy documenting our lives just as Peppino did.

Maria collected many quotes from newspaper articles and other reviews. They include: “The violin is the most beautiful instrument there is, and I refuse to believe that anyone doesn't like it.” and “You don't play the violin with just your fingers or a wind instrument with just your lips. You play with your whole self.” “I didn't learn how to play the violin; it was born in me.” “Playing the violin is not my job or hobby; it is a way of life.”

Regarding her dozens of television performances, she commented that “more people than ever before in history are being exposed to great music. Even those who listen to popular music will upgrade themselves. There are 14 million high-fidelity sets in the country, and I believe that television awakened the interest of most of them to good music.”

I spoke to my half-sister, Dina, who knew our father better than I did. During our exchange, she shared that back in 2000 or 2001, she, along with her brothers, played a chamber music concert in the home of Mike Spector in Florida.

Martin “Mike” Spector was the owner of Spec's Music stores in Florida. Dina shared that our father and Mike had a very warm relationship and that our father spoke fondly of Mike. I later learned that Mike died in 2003 at age 98 and that he has living children—Ann, Mike, and Rosalind—who are probably in their 60s. Dina thought that they might be able to shine a bit more light on Maria and her career.

I googled Ann Spector and discovered her website. After reading up on her, it became evident that the acorn did not fall far from the tree. Like her father, she was in the music business. Over the years, her responsibilities expanded as she moved up the ranks at Spec’s Music to store manager, buyer, merchandiser, president, and ultimately Chief Executive Officer.

In 1985, Ann was integral in taking the family business public, and its stock was traded on NASDAQ under the symbol SPEK. After going public, the company expanded to over 80 stores in Florida and Puerto Rico. In 1998 the company merged with Camelot Music. Soon after, Camelot merged with Transworld Entertainment making Spec’s part of a 1,000-store chain at the time.

I am sorry that I never had the opportunity to meet with Mike himself, as he was single-handedly responsible for opening the door to my family immigrating to the United States.

In January 2021, I picked up the phone and dialed Ann. The opening to our conversation was a bit awkward, not because of anything she said, but more due to my tentative opening. It went something like this, “Hello; I would like to speak to Ann” She responded with, “this is Ann.” Tongue-tied, I continued with “you don’t know me, but I am calling about your father, Mike, and his relationship with my aunt, Maria.” There was silence on the other side of the phone, and for a good reason. I cleared my throat and continued, “I understand Mike was responsible for bringing my aunt to the United States.”

Ann then took a breath and said, “Who is this, exactly, that I am speaking with?” “I’m Jim Neglia, nephew of Maria.” And she added, “And the son of Joseph?” I chuckled but continued with, “Yes, he was my father.”

Once the ice was broken, and we shared a good thirty-minute conversation, I told her I would follow up with an email, sharing with her my contact information. She had shared with me that at the time of her father’s passing, she came in possession of most of his personal belongings, paperwork, photographs, and memorabilia from days gone by. She also shared that her father, up until the time of his death, had a photograph of Maria on his wall. Her voice lowered when she shared that “dad” never got over not being able to push Maria to the ultimate level of recognition. It was something he always regretted.

Ann had just finished getting her second cataract operation but added how efficient she was, regardless, and that she would begin to sift through the boxes and share her findings.

Press Relations Department MCA 598 Madison Avenue, New York

MARIA NEGLIA PALMER HOUSE

That Maria has lived up to everything indicated in these first reviews can be seen from the record she's made since her first triumph. Immediately after her Miami debut, Maria was booked into one of the top show places of the nation, the Palmer House in Chicago. She made such a terrific hit there that they signed an act for an immediate return engagement for the first time in the Palmer House history. She closed in the middle of one month and reopened in the middle of the next.

From the Palmer House, she went on to play such spots as the Radisson Hotel in Minneapolis, the Olympia Theatre in Miami, the Plaza Hotel in New York, the Copley Plaza in Boston, the Capitol Theatre in New York, the Chase Club in St. Louis and the Henry Grady in Atlanta winning the applause of audiences and the admiration of critics everywhere.

What is it about Maria Neglia that has brought her to the front rank of American entertainers in so short a time? Besides the fact that she is a first-rate violinist, the biggest factor in her meteoric rise to popularity is her brilliant showmanship.

When Maria plays, every facet of her personality is thrown into her performance—her facial expressions, body movement, and gestures all blend into the music and keep the audience entranced by the magic of the effect. The semi-classical and popular selections that make up her repertoire...lend themselves readily to her showmanship and technical skill. Maria Neglia is the epitome of good entertainment.

During my research, I was fortunate to come upon a series of reviews, press excerpts, or printed recognitions of Maria and her talents.

“If her first-night audience had its way, Maria Neglia would have still been playing. Europe doesn't have much that I thought this country wanted, but to get a bundle in reverse, when this bundle is the talented Maria, is wonderful.” ―Paul Bruun in Miami Beach Florida Sun; 21 November 1948

“If Maria Neglia and her violin aren't the toast of the better establishments and musical soirees…yes, and of television, before she’s been in this country a year, then we will have lost faith in the taste of the public, the astuteness of show business, and the kindliness of those gods of fortune whose chore it is to see that worthy talent gets a just reward.” ―George Bourke in Miami Herald; 23 November 1948

“The other night, I dropped in at Wingy Grober and Charlie Block's Park Avenue. It looked like mid-season, with Walter Winchell, Ed Sullivan, Ted Baker, Jack Friedlandre, Emil Schwartzhaupt, Ben Gaines, and other prominent folks in the audience. They rocked the joint with applause for Charlie Farrell, Luis Torres, the tremendous baritone, Maria Neglia, whose performance is something out of this world, and Peter Rich.” ―Jack Kofoed in Miami Herald; 6 December 1948

“Be sure and catch an import named Maria Neglia at Wingy’s Park Avenue. Rated one of the finest entertainers.” ―Walter Winchell in Miami Herald; 27 November 1948

“Maria’s talent is comparable to that of the most famous violinists of all time, including Kreisler, Heifetz, and many others.” ―Dick Lowe in Miami Daily News; 23 November 1948

“For the column's Preferred List: The Brilliant artistry of pretty, 19-year-old Maria Neglia.” ―Danton Walker in New York Daily News; 25 October 1949

“Maria Neglia, the Parisian Room star, is the nicest thing that’s happened to a violin since Stradivarius.” ―Frank Farrell in New York World-Telegram; 24 October 1949

“Miss Neglia, a 19-year-old Italian girl who's much prettier than Fritz Kreisler and most other violinists, can coax either moonlight or fireworks out of a fiddle, and she adds up to a wonderful earful all around.” ―Bob Goddard in St. Louis Globe-Democrat; 26 February 1950

Joey Bishop Show

In the MCA notes on Maria’s appearance on the Joey Bishop Show, the announcer for the show was none other than Regis Philbin.

The Joey Bishop Show
Television Announcer: Regis Philbin

MARIA NEGLIA 28 October 1960- Taping 29 October 1960- Airing

TALKING POINTS:

My next guest started playing the violin at the age of 3½, turned professional at 5, and has played everywhere from the great concert halls of Europe to the White House. A big welcome to Maria Neglia!

She will perform “Zorba’s Dance” from Zorba the Greek and “More.” The orchestra will accompany both selections.

TALKING TOPICS: Maria will recall her first meeting at the White House and her performance for Dwight Eisenhower.

A special bill was passed in Congress granting her American citizenship. Senator Smathers of Florida saw her on The Arthur Godrey show and posed the bill. Maria claims she was “born in a valise with a violin in her hand.” She appears tonight with a new gown, new material, but a 300-year-old violin.

Maria will show Joey her first violin and play “Little Spanish Flea” on it with the orchestra while sitting at the panel. This will be performed on the same instrument she played when she was 3½.

Maria was playing in Vienna when the Russians entered. She fled with her family and hitchhiked to the border. However, the ride with a truck driver nearly proved fatal. She and her brother, Joseph, were sitting in the back of the truck on a wooden crate when planes attacked but missed the truck. Later she found out the crate contained explosives.

Maria Neglia had undoubtedly had a very remarkable career. The honors and acclaim she has already received for her brilliant nightclub performances seem to be just a prelude to even greater ones ahead. Whether playing her violin on the concert stage or pitching Yuban Coffee in television commercials, Maria Neglia has the kind of personality and talent that makes you stop and take notice.

As soon as she walks on stage, audiences feel they know her, and they probably do! She has been featured on every top talk show, from The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson to "Merv." The video appearance she is most proud of is her fantastic run of twenty-four (yes - 24) appearances on the great Ed Sullivan Show.

File:27 August 1961.jpg

Press Relations Department MCA

598 Madison Avenue, New York

Where did this fine career begin? To answer that, we have to journey back to her native home of Italy. At the age of just five years old, Maria stood on stage for the first time playing a specially constructed "baby" violin. She received her first ovation before she quite understood what all the cheering was about! But the ovations and cheering continued as she launched a unique career that made her familiar on concert stages, nightclubs, and theatres across Europe.

Maria immigrated to the United States with her family. Maria's star seemed to rise as soon as she first set foot in America. In time she became an American citizen and started a two-way love affair with American audiences, enthralling audiences with her dynamic personality and stage presence.

Ms. Neglia has diversified her many talents to include acting, singing, and writing. Her recent commercials have introduced Maria to a whole new audience, who may be entirely unaware of her musical genius.

Maria Neglia is an artist who, bow in hand, shoots her way right into the hearts of her audience - without using a single arrow. She uses her violin instead.

Royal Caribbean

When the casinos were opening in Atlantic City during the 1970s, they took a page from Las Vegas's casino trade's book. The hotel and casino business had concentrated their efforts on attracting gamblers to their establishments. Before long, all establishments were in harmony in their approach; each would focus on bringing the best entertainment into the casino, attracting potential gamblers to come and hear a performance from well-known personalities.

In turn, the cruise industry operated as the casinos did. The cruise company would send recruiters to sign onto their performance roster the most talented and gifted musicians they could find. Once Royal Caribbean Group heard of Maria, she quickly became one of those they considered a must-have, as she was considered the best of the best. The top recruiters fell in love with Maria, her act, and her exuberant attitude. Around 1975, Maria started her transition from the television, nightclub, and even presidential appearances she had enjoyed for decades to a more focused platform aboard the Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Alaskan Cruises lines, among others. She worked as an entertainer in the cruise industry for the next 30-plus years, until her retirement in 2012, at the age of 83. During that time, Maria was the headliner, the talent that all had come to see.

Draped in glittering sequined gowns, she would take the stage twice a day to entertain the eager audiences. She performed her musical arrangements of the Root Beer Rag, A Fifth of Beethoven, Hot Canary, You Light Up My Life, All I Ask/Memory Medley, Orange Blossom Special, and an amazingly entertaining medley from Fiddler on the Roof she used as her encore. Her performances were loved and talked about from the moment the last note was played. An infectious buzz would run through the ship, alerting those who missed her performance to get in line for the next one.

Maria also possessed an extremely witty sense of humor, never missing the opportunity to crack a joke. An audience member noted that during one of her performances Maria had a slight mishap, resulting in an impromptu comment. Just after playing the opening cadenza of Fiddler on the Roof, one of the strings on her violin snapped. It happened to be her “G” string. She quickly reacted to the situation by stating to the audience, “Well, ladies and gentlemen, my G-string has snapped, so I must go!” It was reported that the audience broke into laughter because they thought she meant she wore a G-string!

Maria loved to socialize with the passengers and with the other acts that were performing on the cruise with her. She loved the mystery of travel and always disembarked the ship when entering a new city. She loved exploring her new surroundings, culture, people, and cuisine.

Royal Caribbean offered her the headliner spot and a large, comfortable suite that befitted her extraordinary talents. A normal workweek for my aunt would include practicing in her cabin suite. She would rehearse with the accompanying ensemble, generally a 12-piece band, the day before her performances. She was a perfectionist and wanted to share only the best she and her band could offer her public. She was very direct and demanding of her musicians in rehearsals and performances. Her product had to rise to an extremely high level, or she would share her dissatisfaction with her bandmates and scrap a tune that might not be working up to her expected level.

Maria was treated like absolute gold on the ship. Every crew member, staff, and traveler knew her and loved her, and Maria loved being loved.

During one of her performances, the lighting and smoke designs were not functioning to her expectations. At one point, she shouted from the stage to the technician, “You’re choking me, darling! Jesus! Enough smoke!” The audience ate it up, and ultimately, Maria got what she needed, less smoke.

One of her favorite outfits was a blue sequined dress. At times during her performances when wearing that dress, she would joke with the audience about wearing her “Blue-light, K-Mart special.” She knew how to wow the audience, not only with her impeccable performances but also with her clever banter on stage. She was often referred to as the “Female Victor Borge.”

Reviews and comments left on the various cruise line comments pages included many complimentary messages for Maria.

On 5 March 2006, one passenger commented on the ship’s online blog: “Has anyone else seen the violinist Maria Neglia? If so, what did you think?” The responses came pouring in; all had the same sentiments, which I will consolidate and paraphrase: I absolutely fell in love with her and her talent. And she is such a character. We saw her on Jewel of the Seas in September on a ten-night cruise. She was the featured entertainment on the second night of entertainment. I know she stayed on board the rest of the cruise because we kept running into her. I can only guess she is in her 70s and about three and a half feet tall. She is extremely funny, but moreover, MAN CAN SHE PLAY! I ended up buying her CD, and I still listen to it in my car regularly. I would almost book another cruise because I knew she would be on, but I don’t think there is any way to find out ahead of time which entertainers will be featured on board? I am sure she cruises other lines, but I hope and hope I come across her again someday!

Another passenger commented: We have seen her on a couple of cruises. She certainly is one of a kind. We enjoyed her act, and she is definitely a very talented violinist. On 24 April 2010, when Maria was 82, other passengers shared their thoughts which read in part: We just saw Maria Neglia on the Radiance, and she was fantastic. I, too, wish there was a way to find out what the entertainment will be on the ships in advance, but half the fun is the surprise element. I guess you could find some of her schedule by going to her fansite. I’ve read that she’s in her 80’s. If so, I wish I had half her energy. If you get a chance to see her perform, don’t miss her show.

I saw Maria Neglia on the Enchantment in March 2011 on a nine-night cruise from Baltimore. She brought down the house. My companion remembers seeing her on the Ed Sullivan show.

Yes, we saw her a couple of years ago. We thought she was fantastic. Many fellow cruisers decided not to attend because they didn’t like the violin. After the show, they were sorry when they heard how entertaining she was.

We saw her later at the Vancouver Airport with her sixteenth-century Amati violin strapped to her back. She was a pleasure to hear, and, absolutely, an unforgettable performance.

Royal Caribbean International boasted that the hit of the week was the virtuoso violinist Maria Neglia, billed as “Fireworks on Four Strings;” she typically received three standing ovations. Accompanied by the Vision of the Seas Orchestra, she mesmerized the audience. People were talking about her for the rest of the cruise. She comes from a long line of musicians, and it shows!

Death

The book Music Is In Our Blood memorializes a full account of her life and death. In 2015, Maria's health was declining. Although I had not seen her in a long time, I purchased an airline ticket to travel from Newark International Airport in New Jersey to Waco Regional Airport in Texas via Dallas.

Although we hadn’t set eyes on each other in nearly forty years, she recognized me immediately. We began to catch up on her deteriorating health and condition. We ultimately decided it was time to place all of her worldly possessions into my care. That meant taking her to a lawyer to sign a power of attorney, placing all she owned into my name. Once that was completed, I transferred everything she had just signed over to me to my half-sister, Dina. Though she was now living in Minnesota, Dina had lived across the street from Maria for most of her life and knew her much better than I did.

Dina and I made all permanent arrangements for the remainder of our aunt’s life. Dina was now in charge of paying all Maria’s bills and living obligations.

I was able to arrange all of this in the 36 hours I had in Waco. Once I felt everything was in place, and before I left Waco, I called Dina. During our short but meaningful conversation, I shared that I didn’t think Maria would survive another year. I struggled with my departure, as I knew in my heart this would be the last time I would set eyes on my aunt again. Ten months later, I received the phone call. She was gone.

Thinking about the best resting place for her, a person who rarely called the house she lived in a home, it was decided the sea should be the final resting place of our nomadic aunt. The sea that she grew to love during the second part of her life is the same sea that now claimed her body, soul, and memories.

A week after her passing, Maria’s ashes were spread over the scenic Red River in Fargo, North Dakota, a beautiful river that stretches to Canada. The Red River is a river in North America that flows primarily northward instead of southward.

Like her uncle, Francesco Paolo Neglia, Maria endured many struggles. Although she enjoyed a busy and lucrative life, she was also conflicted with some life decisions. Maria desired a better balance between living on the road and the countless sacrifices while living on the great sea. Maria never married or raised a family and, like most successful traveling musicians, missed many family events. Birthdays, graduations, extended relationships with her nieces and nephews, and the comforts of home were mostly lost in her life as she sacrificed it all for the love of music.

References

• Neglia. "Entertainment". Royal Caribbean Cruise.

This article "Maria Neglia" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Maria Neglia. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

---