Soprano Shirley Ritenour Tributes Late Diva Eileen Farrell at Merkin Hall, 12/5

Dramatic Soprano Shirley Ritenour will make her Merkin Concert Hall debut on December 5, 2010 in: "Let My Song Fill Your Heart -Inspired by Eileen Farrell". Broadway composer/director Barry Kleinbort directs Ms. Ritenour, and also contributes the premiere of "The Dream is Done," with music by Robert Farnon (the instrumental is known as "Song For Eileen").

Ms. Ritenour is a past winner of the American Opera Scholarship. Showtime is 3pm at Merkin Hall/Kaufman Center, 129 W. 67th Street in New York City. To purchase tickets by phone call the Box Office: 212-501-3330, or click here.  Tickets are $35, and a limited number of student tickets are available at $15. $5.00 of every full price ticket sold will be donated to Gilda's Club, NYC.

Ms. Ritenour decided recently to re-dedicate herself to a professional music career when she lost her position as VP of a major New York real estate firm in the economic disaster of 2009. Her musical interests are closely related to those of down-to-earth Diva, Farrell, who was as beloved on the world opera stage as she was singing in a jazz club, clowning on the Carol Burnett Show, or recording with Frank Sinatra (Trilogy). Some of Farrell's most famous arias will be included in the repertoire (Suicidio and Dich, theure Halle), as well as pop and American Songbook favorites the two singers share. Ted Taylor, who accompanied Ms. Farrell on many occasions, will accompany.

Ms. Ritenour recently appeared in New York as Elsa in a concert version of "Lohengrin," and performed the roles of Tosca and Turandot in the Spring of 2010. She is a soloist for the WNBA at Madison Square Garden for WNBA NY Liberty games, and very active in NOWSA. She has produced several shows in New York cabarets, notably It's A Grand Night for Giving at Don't Tell Mama, the show that began her tradition as a fundraiser for Gilda's Club.

For additional information about Shirley, the concert and the CD, or to purchase tickets, visit: www.ShirleyRitenour.com

The Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center is located at 129 W. 67th Street, NYC.