By David Cain
Angelo Piccinelli was an Italian juggler born in 1921 in Brussels, Belgium. He was one of the first jugglers to perform with modern-style rings, juggling eight in performance at the age of 19. Angelo was the first juggler that Francis Brunn saw, and Brunn would modify Piccinelli’s combination trick where he juggled three rings with one hand, spun a ball on his finger of the other hand, and spun a ring on one leg while holding a ball on a mouth stick and balancing a ball on a head pedestal to create what is now known as the Brunn Finish (with some added spinning rings). Piccinelli primarily played in variety theaters, music halls, and nightclubs throughout Europe, only rarely playing circuses. Angelo was a favorite performer of many heads of state, royalty, and celebrities. He passed away in 2023.
You can read Esteban Velez’s interview with Angelo Piccinelli by clicking here.
Recently, many new photos of Angelo Piccinelli have surfaced. Many of these were found by Shay Wapniaz and Scott Cain, whom we thank for sharing them. Below are all of the photos, both old and newly discovered, that we have of this wonderful performer.
Courtesy of Shay Wapniaz
Courtesy of Shay Wapniaz
Courtesy of Shay Wapniaz
Courtesy of Shay Wapniaz
Courtesy of Shay Wapniaz
Courtesy of Shay Wapniaz
Courtesy of Shay Wapniaz
Courtesy of Shay Wapniaz
Courtesy of Shay Wapniaz
Courtesy of Shay Wapniaz
Below is a video of Piccinelli from 1963.
If you know of any more photos of this juggling icon, please send them my way.
David Cain
David Cain is a professional juggler, juggling historian, and the owner of the world's only juggling museum, the Museum of Juggling History. He is a Guinness world record holder and 16 time IJA gold medalist. In addition to his juggling pursuits, David is a successful composer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and singer as well as the author of twenty-six books. He and his children live in Middletown, OH (USA).