Award-winning Singer/PBS Host Cristina Fontanelli 'Christmas in Italy Concert'

Award-winning singer and PBS/WNET and NY affiliates host Cristina Fontanelli brings her program of Italy's best-loved songs, arias, Neapolitan and Christmas classics during her 9th-Annual "Christmas In Italy®" concert at the Peter J. Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space on Saturday, December 1 at 3:00 PM.

Called a "vocal genius" by the New York Sun, Ms. Fontanelli's show is a love letter to her Italian heritage and a tribute to her grandparents. "I decided to begin this annual Holiday tradition to preserve my Italian heritage because of my concern that these musical "gems" are being lost and to teach them to younger generations."says Ms. Fontanelli. Symphony Space is located at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street in New York City.

Tickets and information can be purchased through the box office at 212-864-5400 and online at www.symphonyspace.org. "Christmas in Italy®" will also take place for the 2nd year in a row in San Diego on Sunday, December 9 at 3 p.m. at the University of San Diego, Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice. More information on Ms.Fontanelli can be found at www.cristinafontanelli.com and at www.cristinafontanelli.com/ChristmasinItaly

For this special one-day event, Ms. Fontanelli will be accompanied by piano, mandolins, guitar and accordion in order to evoke the authentic Italian flavor of the music. The Bambini of the Coro d'Italia and P.S. 79, (Queens, NY) (Andrea Jannetti - Teacher/Choreographer) and the Richmond Choral Society of Staten Island (Marina Alexander, Music Director) will join Cristina.

Cristina Fontanelli is PBS host for Andrea Bocelli's September 2011 concert "Live From Central
Park"(first aired December 2011), "Il Volo Takes Flight" (first aired March 2012), Vienna Boys Choir and Qi Gong (first airing Spring 2012) specials. She appeared on CBS Weekend in interview/performance/co-hosting roles; (Cristina Fontanelli describes the show on this 2010 CBS interview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xDMoWNe1c4&feature=email) performed for Jimmy Kimmel's "Feast of San Gennaro" in Hollywood; is the voice of "Nonna" on PBS Chef LidiaBastianich's animated Christmas special; and is the "voice" of Domino's Pizza on the national radio commercial.

She has performed for the Clinton White House, the Presidential Inaugural Ball in 2005, with The Boston Pops, the St. Louis Symphony, at Feinstein's at the Loews Regency, has completed 3 world tours with the Mantovani Orchestra and has sung title roles with the Palm Beach, New Jersey, New York Grand and Cairo Opera companies.

Brooklyn-born Cristina Fontanelli was awarded the OSIA Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts (previous recipients include Luciano Pavarotti), has been cited as one of the top alumni of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (along with Robert Redford, Anne Bancroft, Cecil B. Demille, Anne Hathaway et al) and has been named "Woman of the Year" by many Italian organizations throughout the country.

For this special one-day event, Ms. Fontanelli's musicians will include Maestro Steven Crawford (Metropolitan Opera) on piano; award-winning musician/composer John T. La Barbera as mandolinist/guitarist; and others T/B/A.

Symphony Space is located at 2537 Broadway, New York, NY at 95th Street and tickets for
"Christmas In Italy®" are sold through the Box Office at (212) 212-864-5400 and online at
www.symphonyspace.org with tickets ranging from $42 to $57 (Group discounts available). Ms. Fontanelli's website is www.cristinafontanelli.com.