In the middle of the afternoon, a curious crowd gathered before a small, improvised stage, where Frank Amato and a 12-year-old boy, Luca Mohelika, began to sing ’O Sole Mio.
Luca, the son of Loreta Mohelika, founder of the Coaster Stories project, left the audience speechless with his clear, unexpectedly mature voice.
The duet with Amato happened on the spot, the way it does at the most authentic festivals: no professional microphones, no announcements — just the spontaneity of a young talent shining through.
According to Loreta, music runs deep in their family. “My father played the accordion since he was young, and there was always music in our home,” she shared.
“At family gatherings, everyone had an instrument, and if they didn’t, they’d make one from two spoons or an improvised drum.
“Luca grew up surrounded by this world of sound, listening to my father sing the great Italian classics.”
Loreta revealed that her son has never really taken singing lessons.
“Maybe a couple, at most,” she laughed, “but his voice has always had a naturally operatic tone. It’s something instinctive, as if he was born with it.
“He loves opera, even though that’s unusual for a twelve-year-old. And he doesn’t let himself be influenced — he sings what he loves, without worrying about what others think.”
Among the crowd, surprise turned into admiration. In the joyful noise of the festa, silence fell as Luca’s small yet powerful voice filled the air, evoking Naples and all of Italy in a single note.
He sings in his school choir and dreams, quietly, of one day following this path.
“At twelve, it’s too soon to say what will happen,” says Loreta, “but I believe he has a gift, and I hope he’ll find the right way to nurture it.”
At the Norton Street Italian Festa, that brief, unplanned duet reminded everyone why these celebrations matter so deeply. It’s not just about the food, music and traditions, but also the talent, spontaneity and beauty that come straight from the heart of our community.
