Dene man makes career out of tricking people

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Keeping an air of mystery shared by performers in his line of work around the world, Napoleon Rivetti doesn't reveal his trade secrets or his real name.

Rivetti is a magician, a professional in the art of illusion.

Rivetti has a mixed Aboriginal background. His father is Dene from the Northwest Territories and his mother is Irish.

Rivetti was born in Edmonton and has been proving that the hand is faster than the eye to mystify audiences in and around the Edmonton area for more than 17 years.

From the age of nine, Rivetti felt the calling toward the art of magic and illusion. Attending a magic show at the provincial museum, he was spell-bound by the tricks and his particular favorite, the "head-box illusion." This illusion is where a person is lying flat on a table with head, arms and legs visible from inside separate boxes. Then the head box is covered and removed, while the rest of the body stays in full view.

Amazed by the spectacular illusion, Napoleon realized he wanted to be a magician.

His first teacher and mentor in the world of magic was Edmonton's Fred Willard, the owner of Willard's House of Magic on Jasper Ave.

Willard has practiced the trade for 50 years and performed with the touring illusionist group Ring 62. He helped to teach Rivetti about magic.

"I went to Willard's House of Magic in 1976 and got involved. Since then my world of magic has opened many doors," said Rivetti.

Rivetti took his magic to the streets - literally, with daily performances on the corner of Jasper Ave. and 101 St. In 1981, he was proclaimed as Edmonton's first, publicly recognized street performer. Four years later, he was the house magician at West Edmonton Mall, where he treated thousands of spectators.

Rivetti now has a traveling show and is available for private bookings.

Rivetti, a Grade 9 drop-out, has educated himself and been a teacher to thousands of people over the years in the school of wonder and amazement.

"I do it for the fulfillment and to see the look of astonishment on people's faces," he said. "I truly believe that my gift is magic, and magic to me is like the fourth of July."

Rivetti can be reached by calling 906-8180.