The Acclaimed Italian Tenor Luciano Lamonarca receives a Proclamation from the New York State Comptroller, Hon. Thomas DiNapoli

Another important recognition was received this Thursday, October 24, 2013, by the Acclaimed Italian Tenor Luciano Lamonarca (resident of Westchester County). This time it was Hon. Thomas DiNapoli, the New York State Comptroller, who honored him with a Proclamation for artistic merit. It follows a previous one issued on October 7, 2013, by the Westchester County Executive, Hon. Robert Astorino.

The ceremony was held at the St. John University (Manhattan Campus) to officially salute the Italian Cultural & Heritage Month in New York, considering that the year 2013 was also proclaimed by the Italian Government "Year of the Italian Culture in the United States of America".

About 150 guests attended the event, including officials, well known artists and important members of the Italian American community. Besides Hon. Thomas DiNapoli, who was the sponsor and host of the evening, welcoming remarks were made by three very special guests, such as Hon. Natalia Quintavalle, Italian Consul General of New York; Hon. Donna Lupardo, Assemblywoman and President of the New York Conference of Italian-American State Legislators and Prof. Joseph Sciame, Vice President for Community Relations of the St. John University and President/Chair of the Italian Heritage and Culture Committee in NY.

Honorees of the evening were the famous American Actor Tony Lo Bianco; Ms. Julia Bastiani, President of the Italian-American Labor Council; Mr. Thomas & Barbara Lupo, immediate past president & first lady of the Grand Lodge of New York, Order of Sons of Italy and Prof. Carlo Sclafani, Distinguished Suny Professor & former Chair of the Modern Language Dept. at the Westchester Community College.

In the Proclamation read by Hon. Thomas DiNapoli, where mentioned some of the biggest achievements of Tenor Luciano Lamonarca, as well as his most important concerts up to this date, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Hon. DiNapoli also mentioned the two music albums released by Tenor Lamonarca, "Mamma" and "The Impossible Dream", proceeds from which were donated to the missionary project "City of Hope" in Zambia, and the project "Mini Maestro" of the New York Choral Society in New York.

Tenor Lamonarca sang the Hymn God Bless America and ended the evening performing the aria Nessun Dorma, from the opera Turandot of Giacomo Puccini, that earned with thunderous applause and standing ovations from the audience.

Tenor Lamonarca dedicated his proclamation to his mother Anna (died of cancer in 2005), his wife Valentina, to his family and to all those friends who have supported him so much on his way towards fulfilling his "American Dream".