International singing sensation Cristina Fontanelli will sing a program of Italy’s best-loved songs, arias, Neapolitan and Christmas classics during her fifth-annual “Christmas in Italy,” concert at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center, Sunday, December 7th at 8:00 p.m. Called a “vocal genius” by the New York Sun, Ms. Fontanelli’s 5th-annual “Christmas in Italy” concert is a “love letter” and a tribute to her grandparents and her wonderful and colorful Italian heritage. “I decided to begin this tradition of performing holiday favorites and well-known songs and arias because of my concern that Italian folk and classical music is quickly becoming lost,” says Ms. Fontanelli. Merkin Concert Hall is located at the Kaufman Center (129 W. 67th Street), and tickets and information is through the Box Office: 212-501-3330 and Online: www.kaufman-center.org. More information on Ms. Fontanelli at www.CristinaFontanelli.com
Following in the footsteps of great Italian classical vocal artists such as Caruso, Buti, Tedaldi, Pavarotti and Bocelli, Fontanelli is joining the ranks of those artists who sing popular songs with classically trained voices. For this special one-night event, Ms. Fontanelli will be accompanied by piano, mandolin, guitar and accordion in order to evoke the authentic Italian flavor of the music. “We can see the Mona Lisa in the Louvre or the statue of David in Florence, but these vocal masterpieces need to be performed in order to survive”, says Ms. Fontanelli.
The highly acclaimed soprano has performed with opera companies and in concert halls around the world, at the Clinton White House, The Presidential Inaugural Ball in 2005, as well as appearances with
Tony Bennett, The Boston Pops, and Feinstein’s at the Regency, the St. Louis Symphony and 3 world-tours with the Mantovani Orchestra. She was awarded the OSIA Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts (previous recipient,
Luciano Pavarotti) and has been named Woman of the Year by many Italian Organizations throughout the U.S. This concert is a vocal journey through Italy’s best loved songs and arias as well as Neopolitan and Christmas classics.
Her repertoire will include songs and arias by Donizetti, Tosti and Puccini along with such classics as Torna a Surriento, Chisto Paese d’o Sole and the Italian Christmas classic “Tu scendi dalle stelle” (You came down from the stars.”). Born in Brooklyn, she is a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and attended The Juilliard School.
Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center is located at 129 W. 67th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue and tickets for “Christmas in Italy” are sold through the Box Office: 212-501-3330 and Online: www.kaufman-center.org with tickets ranging from $40 - $55 (Group discounts available). Ms. Fontanelli’s website is
www.cristinafontanelli.com.
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