Zoppe Italian Family Circus Returns For Family Fun

More than 160 years ago, a great love story led to the birth of one of the most legendary circuses in all of Europe.

And now, the Zoppé Family Circus lives on, carrying its romantic history across the nation with one consistent theme: family.

The circus will return to the Great Lawn in Westhampton Beach this weekend, with shows planned on Friday, August 3, at 7 p.m., Saturday, August 4, at 3 and 7 p.m. and on Sunday, August 5, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. The circus will be hosted by the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center.

“The Great Lawn is the perfect place to have our circus, and we fit with the community so well,” Giovanni Zoppé, the lead clown of the circus, said during a telephone interview on Thursday. “We are so happy to come back to Westhampton.”

The story begins in 1842 when a young French street performer, Napoline Zoppé, found himself in the same plaza where a young equestrian ballerina named Ermenegilda was performing. In that moment, he knew his heart had been captured by her beauty.

Unfortunately, Napoline’s profession as a clown was not admired or respected by Ermenegilda’s father and their forbidden love forced them out of Hungary in search of a future together.

The two performers ended up in Venice, Italy where they founded the Zoppé Family Circus, which, nearly 100 years later, was inherited by Napoline’s great-grandson, Alberto Zoppé.

The late Alberto Zoppé is referred to by his wife Sandra as “the greatest equestrian artist of all time,” and she, along with her three children, Giovanni, Tosca and Carla, carry on the Zoppé Family tradition with pride and devotion.

Sandra and Alberto’s love story somewhat parallels that of Napoline and Ermenegilda’s, a coincidence that some would consider fate.

“I was very young when I met him, only about 16 and he, 30 years my senior,” Ms. Zoppé said during a telephone interview on Friday. “I was a recording artist at the time and he, a comedian and we met on tour at a variety show in Maryland. His act required audience participation, but no one wanted to go on stage. I remember thinking, ‘Oh no, that poor old man! I have to do something,’ so I ran out from backstage and volunteered. He was very charming and of course, we fell in love.”

Mr. Zoppé introduced the young Ms. Zoppé to the wonderful world of the circus and ever since then, she said the circus has captured her heart.

“The circus houses the most dedicated artists in the world,” she said. “They literally give their lives to the audience. They are the least paid, least acclaimed artists in all of the entertainment industry. I was just in awe of these amazing people, and they became my family.”

Family is the backbone of the Zoppé circus, not only because it has been run by the same family for generations, but also because most, if not all of the acts, are performed by families, according to Ms. Zoppé.

Ms. Zoppé’s daughter, Tosca, performs in the show as an equestrian artist, having taken over her father’s profession. And her husband, John Joseph Walter, who started with the show as a theater technician, now rides with her.

“They’re beautiful,” Ms. Zoppé said.

Ms. Zoppé’s other daughter, Carla, and her husband, Rudolph, do a dog act that somehow also involves four chickens.

“It is so cute,” Ms. Zoppé said.

The star of the show, Nino the Clown, is performed by Ms. Zoppé ’s son, Giovanni.

According to Giovanni, the most rewarding part of his career is continuing the tradition of the Zoppé family and of course, the smiles from the audience.

“Looking out and seeing an entire family smiling at what I’m doing, from a 2-year-old child to a 70-year-old man,” he said. “That is my biggest reward.”

Ms. Zoppé has recognized something else special about being part of a family circus, she said.

“We are allowed, in our profession, to be together 24 hours a day,” she said. “I have never had to watch my children leave me. Even if they do, they always come back and we get to work together. That is so special.”

She added that the Zoppés are excited to introduce some new acts to the Westhampton Beach audience this weekend. There will be a family trampoline act that has been performed throughout the world. There will also be a 30-foot-perch pole act featuring a father balancing his two 7-year-old twins. And this year, a new award-winning juggler has been added.

“We have such an amazing show lined up for Westhampton,” Ms. Zoppé said.

Her son agreed.

“The show is always different. Every year it evolves like a living creature,” Mr. Zoppé said. “But the family tradition will always be there.”

The Zoppé Italian Family Circus will be held on the Great Lawn in Westhampton Beach on Friday, August 3, at 7 p.m.; on Saturday, August 4, at 3 and 7 p.m.; and on Sunday, August 5, at 3 and 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 for children 12 and under and $50 for adults. For reservations or additional information, call 288-1500, visit whbpac.org or stop by the box office at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center on Main Street.