The Gionfriddos to give book reading
Mount Holyoke College music professor Mark Gionfriddo and writer Jeannie Gionfriddo will give a reading from their new book at the Odyssey on, November 16.
By Alheri Egor-Egbe ’17
Mark Gionfriddo, a senior instructor of music and director of Jazz Ensembles at Mount Holyoke College, is well-known as a composer, conductor, accompanist, arranger, pianist, and musical director.
Now he adds “author” to his resume, with the release of his first book, Good Night, Dear Hart, Good Night, which he coauthored with Jeannie Gionfriddo, columnist for the Holyoke Sun.
The historical nonfiction tells the story of con artist Charles Ponzi, whose “Ponzi Scheme” swindled many people out of their life savings, and Joseph C. Allen, the Massachusetts Bank Commissioner who brought the infamous criminal to justice. The story is told through the eyes of Allen’s widow, Hart Lester Allen, who lived in an apartment in their house when Mark was growing up and he credits with his love of classical music.
Jeannie Gionfriddo is author of several short stories and novellas and a cookbook, Sharing My Best. She and her son, Mark Gionfriddo, will give a reading from Good Night, Dear Hart, Good Night at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, November 16, at the Odyssey Bookshop.