Mago Sales
Mago Sales, stage name of Don Silvio Mantelli, was born in Novello (CN) on 22 January 1944.
A Salesian priest and illusionist, he is known for his volunteer missions around the world: through magic, Don Silvio has conceived projects and shows to bring a smile to children in difficulty in Africa, America and Asia.
From a young age he considered school “a bitter medicine” and realised almost immediately that the path leading to magic would have more than a few surprises in store for him.
The beginnings
In 1955, already pursuing his Salesian studies, he was deeply struck by a circus that stopped for a performance right in Novello (CN): he even decided to run away with them, but the adventure proved unsuccessful as he was carried back home after just a few hours.
In 1957 he staged his first magic show under the name of Mago Mandrake.
In 1963 he entered as a Salesian novice at Monte Oliveto, near Pinerolo: here he came across a manual on conjuring tricks that profoundly marked his journey as a magician.
He soon began staging his first shows for the parish youth group.
The Magic Circle
He moved to the Canavese area for three years, graduating and becoming a primary school teacher.
During those years he founded his first magic circle, dedicating it to the founder of the Salesians, Don Bosco.
In 1966 he joined the Italian Magic Circle in Turin, where he met some great artists of the conjuring art.
In 1969 he moved for four years near Naples, studying Theology and learning the three-card trick and the shell game.
He subsequently returned to Piedmont, spending time in Saluzzo and Cuneo, and graduating in Pedagogy in Turin.
The shows
In 1983 he spent a period in Monte Carlo working as an assistant director for two television programmes: “Gli affari sono affari” and “Bim Bum Bambino”.
Shortly after he concluded this experience to move to Grugliasco (TO), resuming his work as a teacher and magician.
In 1983 he spent a period in Monte Carlo working as an assistant director for two television programmes: “Gli affari sono affari” and “Bim Bum Bambino”.
Shortly after he concluded this experience to move to Grugliasco (TO), resuming his work as a teacher and magician.
In 1992, with the help of Arturo Brachetti, he staged his first major magic show, a comedy entitled “Il giro del mondo in 80 minuti” (Around the World in 80 Minutes).
He soon made the project a reality, beginning to travel the world among African villages, the Andes, Indonesia and Brazil, bringing with him tricks, costumes, a magic wand and a top hat.
These were the years of great shows aimed at people in need: most notably those performed in front of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Whoever saves a child,
helps a piece of sky
to light up the world
