Based on a true story, Maestro Satriano is about Pietro Satriano, a musical child prodigy and a musician to royalty prior to moving to America in 1885. Pietro and his father, Antonio, were cornet virtuosos in Italy. When Antonio’s wife dies in childbirth, he is motivated to come to America to start anew and make sure that Pietro can attain an international reputation. In America, they are revered for their musical talents but despised by some because of prejudice against Italians. Pietro finds himself in the headlines for being flamboyant and having unusual body movements while performing and is criticized for being light on the classics and giving in to public demand and performing ragtime. rough the years, the story unfolds about Antonio’s drinking problem, Pietro’s passionate personality and angry outbursts, his love of teaching children about music, a clandestine affair, and his amazing talent, which ultimately won him national recognition as a bandleader and musical personality in the early 1900s.

DeAngelo tells the story sensitively and with humor; it is a unique tale about remarkable people.