O SOLE TRIO to Tour New York and New Jersey, Beg. Today, 9/30

O Sole Trio, one of New York City's leading cabaret acts, with soprano Erin Shields and baritone Giuseppe Spoletini, vocals; and David Shenton, piano and violin; will be bringing their exhilarating and unique show that captures the essence of Italy and features a program that showcases a cornucopia of beloved Italian opera arias, popular Neapolitan songs as well as jazz standards made popular by such singers as Louis Prima, Dean Martin, Peggy Lee and Rosemary Cloney, to various venues throughout New York and New Jersey.

Their program, performed in Italian and English, is an eclectic mix of songs arranged by David Shenton with highlights including "O Sole Mio," Puccini's " O mio babbino caro," "Mambo Italiano," a medley of "Figaro" paired with "That's Amore," to "Time to Say Goodbye" made famous by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. Also not to be missed is David Shenton's virtuosic instrumental performance of the Neapolitan song "Torna a Surriento" played simultaneously on both the violin and piano.

Don't miss your chance to hear O Sole Trio with performances surrounding Columbus Day (Monday, October 8) festivities at the following venues: Today, September 30, Sunday at the Mercer County Italian-American Festival, West Windsor, N.J. O Sole Trio will be a featured act at the 13th annual Mercer County Italian-American Festival. This festival, that takes place in New Jersey at the Mercer County Park in West Windsor, was created to celebrate Italian and Italian-American Heritage and Culture, and features food, Italian and Italian-American hand crafted products and entertainment on two stages. O Sole Trio will be performing from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Roma Bank Stage. For travel directions and a complete schedule visit www.italianamericanfestival.com.

October 6 and 8, Saturday and Monday at the Metropolitan Room, New York City O Sole Trio returns to one of New York City's premier cabaret rooms, the Metropolitan Room, located at 34 West 22nd Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues). Shows take place at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, October 6 and 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 8. For tickets and show information contact www.metropolitanroom.com.

October 11, Thursday at the David Rubenstein Atrium, Lincoln Center, New York City O Sole Trio presents a show "From Prima Donna to Post-Madonna How Italy and Italian-Americans influenced American Popular Music." The show takes place at 7:30 p.m. in Lincoln Center's David Rubenstein Atrium, the Frieda and Roy Furman Stage, part of Target's FREE Thursdays.

Artist Bios:

Erin Shields with her lush soprano possess a vocal versatility that allows her to perform in numerous genres from opera arias to Broadway show tunes to jazz charts. She is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Music later studying classical voice in Vienna, Austria. During the past five years she has appeared with numerous opera companies and music festivals. Among roles that she has performed include Musetto in Puccini's La bohéme, Ramiro in Mozart's La finta giardiniera; Gianetta in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore, as well as Eliza in My Fair Lady and the Baker's Wife in Sondheim's Into the Woods. In addition, Erin was featured singing back-up vocals for Rodrigo Ferreria's Brazilian recording, Voz.Pianoe Detalhes. She has worked with many leading Broadway performers including John Treacy Egan, appearing with him on his CD, On Christmas Morning, and in venues throughout the tri-state area. In 2010, Erin released her debut CD, "I'd Rather Be Lonely." She has appeared in her jazz show, "The Great American Songbook Retold" at New York City jazz and cabaret clubs including the Iridium, The Metropolitan Room and the Somethin' Jazz Club. In August 2011, she was a featured artist at Scotland's Edinburgh Fringe Festival and this past May performed the role of Marina Vlady in the world premiere of "Let Us Fly," the life and music of Vladimir Vysotsky, at New York's 92nd Street Y working with TONY Award winner Larry Hochman and director Moni Yakim.

Canadian baritone Giuseppe Spoletini, of Italian descent, has performed extensively throughout the United States and Canada. He has appeared with opera companies including The Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, the Opera Company of Brooklyn, the Saskatoon Opera Association, Cincinnati Opera and the Opera Company of the Highlands, singing roles that have included the title role in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, the Count in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, Figaro in Rossini's The Barber of Seville and Escamillo in Bizet's Carmen, to name just a few. In addition, Giuseppe is equally at home on the concert and oratorio stages. When he isn't performing, he teaches from his private studio and is a member of the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division's voice faculty as well as co-director of MSM's Precollege and Summer Music Camp musical theater programs. Giuseppe's students have gone on to study in prestigious conservatory and summer music programs at Manhattan School of Music, the Eastman School of Music, The Hartt School, the Washington National Opera, at Tanglewood and the Bel Canto Institute. Giuseppe Spoletini is a member of the faculty at the Pierrepont School in Westport, Connecticut and Director of Music and baritone soloist at the Greenville Community Church in Scarsdale, New York. His first recording, the gospel/inspirational CD, "Now Sings My Soul" was produced under the direction of renowned iconic funk legend and producer Nona Hendryx.

David Shenton, pianist, violinist, composer and arranger, regularly performs with some of the world's leading musicians representing classical, Broadway, and popular music. Recent collaborations have included with Tony Bennett, Liz Calloway, Denyce Graves, Renée Fleming, Sherrill Milnes, and Amanda McBroom. In addition, he has collaborated with Katie Couric. In 2011 as a music director, arranger and pianist, David made his Lincoln Center debut for Titanic Tales: Stories of Courage and Cowardice. As a violinist, he performs frequently with orchestras as a soloist and gives recitals throughout the tri-state area showcasing sonatas from both the classical and romantic periods. His solo award-winning piano CD, Sunnyside Blues, has been lauded to wide acclaim. As a world renowned, sought-after and prolific composer/arranger, David has composed five musicals and was recently commissioned to compose a ballet for The Pendulum Aerial Dance Company based in Portland, Oregon. He composed his first film score for Franc Reyes' drama, Beauty, and has arranged for Abbey Road and CIS Studios (London), as well as for Hollywood movies, The West End and Broadway shows. David re-orchestrated the music for Howard Blake's The Snowman, showing on The West End since 1998, and currently has two shows running in Germany. In 2010, he was commissioned to write a song for the Edinburgh Festival which received its premiere at a concert in which David also performed the world premiere of a song by Stephen Schwartz. David Shenton also teaches extensively and serves as a vocal coach and accompanist. He is on the faculties at New York University, The Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute, the New School and is visiting professor of violin and piano at the St. Thomas Choir School. David was born in Rotherham (South Yorkshire) England and studied violin and piano at The Royal College of Music in London graduating with highest honors.

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