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Alberto is one of two athletes in the world who can do a double summersault between two running horses. His son Giovanni points out to the back of the first horse which is thrusting him. The horse helped in the jump.

The roots of the family are lost in the legend that says that a Napoline Zoppè (Napoleon?) travelled to Hugary from France in 1842. He met Ermenegilda, an equestrian ballerina. They belonged to two different social ranks, a clown and an equestrian,…

Luigi Zoppè, born in 1880 in Farra d’Alpago (by Belluno), marries Emma Zoppè, born in Fusignano di Lugo (in Romagna) in 1884. They have the same last name as they come from branches of the same family. Luigi and Emma own a two ring circus and they…

Emma was “stern but loving” She would make homemade pasta and shells and butter is my favorite to this day.” “Nana was was pretty quiet, most of the time, but she was also expressive. She didn't smile much. Well, because she had rotten teeth, was one…

The photo shows the Zamperla-Zoppè Luigi Circus with horses and artists, before WWII, probably including the immigrant generation as children. Zamperla and Zoppè were relatives. Emma Zoppè's sister was Natalina Zoppè, born January 6, 1899. She was…

The name changed from Circo Fratelli Zoppè, to Circo Zoppè-Zamperla, and finally Circo Zoppè. Here the Big Top has 4 poles. Italy, 1950s

The main attraction before the war are the horses.

This picture gathers all family members before the family was separated by migration in 1948. Tiny Cucciolo is visible in front.

Cucciolo is a relative, almost a brother for Alberto. He is a 3-feet tall, but extremely well-built and strong. His real name was Francesco Rizzi (Pasqualino in the Circus documents in 1951) , born in Isola Vicentina (Vicenza) in 1930. He is he…

Alberto leaves for the United States with Ruggera Tosca, who is always with him in the equestrian numbers, with his mother Emma who is their manager and does not want to leave the youngest daughter. Cucciolo and his mother Genzana who helped with the…