THE TEN TENORS Salute Artists Gone Too Soon

How many tenors are enough? Three may once have sufficed, but 10 will be the magic number Feb. 28 and March 1, when The TEN Tenors take the stage in the Virginia G. Piper Theater at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

The TEN Tenors, a classical-crossover group from Australia with a following of more than 90 million people worldwide, will appear in concert at 7:30 p.m. both days, bringing their individual and collective voices to an eclectic repertoire. Great classical composers meet contemporary pop songs on their programs, which range from Verdi arias to rock anthems.

Their Scottsdale concerts will focus on material from their recent CD, "Wish You Were Here," which features songs by artists who left "too soon," such as David Bowie ("Heroes"), Freddie Mercury ("We Are the Champions"), Amy Winehouse ("Valerie"), John Lennon ("Imagine"), Whitney Houston ("I Wanna Dance With Somebody"), Michael Jackson ("The Way You Make Me Feel") and Leonard Cohen ("Hallelujah").

Showbiz website BroadwayWorld.com has called The TEN Tenors "The Vocal Wonder From Down Under." In a review of the group's performance at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, California, BroadwayWorld.com continued: "In this case, size really DOES matter and 'Ten' truly outshine all who have come before. As individual vocalists, each and every one is a stand-out, but it is when they sing together that the magic truly happens. Their unisons are pitch perfect and their harmonies are nothing short of thrilling. They transition seamlessly from classical arias to pop and rock tunes and nothing disappoints along the way."

In addition to headlining more than 2,000 concerts in 20 years, The TEN Tenors have released six platinum and gold records, and have appeared on stage with such luminaries as Andrea Bocelli, André Rieu, John Travolta, Nicole Kidman, Geoffrey Rush, Keith Urban, Rod Stewart, Alanis Morissette, Sarah Brightman, Willie Nelson and Christina Aguilera.

The group's mixed repertoire attracts opera buffs and curious pop fans alike. Producer D-J Wendt sums it up: "We like to think audiences come to our show to hear arias and classical pieces that will give them goose bumps like they have never felt before. With our shows, we know they will get that, but we promise to also make you feel like you have just rocked out or been to the best party you have been to in ages."

Current members of The TEN Tenors are: Paul Gelsumini, Oliver Samson, Michael Edwards, Keane Fletcher, JD Smith, Jared Newall, James Watkinson, Cameron Barclay, Florian Voss and Daniel Belle.

Tickets:
$79 (M $71) / $59 / $49
Patrons 29 and under, 50 percent off.

Signature Sponsors: Marlene and Eugene Shapiro

Supporting Sponsors: Gail and Dan Tenn; Vi at Silverstone, A Vi and Plaza Companies Community

SCOTTSDALE ARTS

Through its partnership with the City of Scottsdale, the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts (formerly known as Scottsdale Cultural Council) creates diverse, inspired arts experiences and educational opportunities that foster active, lifelong community engagement with the arts. Since its founding in 1987, Scottsdale Arts has grown into a regionally and nationally significant, multi-disciplinary arts organization offering an exceptional variety of programs through three acclaimed divisions - Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and Scottsdale Public Art - serving more than 400,000 participants annually.

SCOTTSDALE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Since 1975, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has provided a stage for a wide range of artists and genres, creating shared, inspiring experiences for the community that celebrate artistic excellence and cultural awareness. Today one of the premier performing-arts halls in the western United States, the Center presents a diverse season of music, dance, theater, comedy and film from around the world.

LOCATION AND PARKING

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located at 7380 E. Second St. in downtown Scottsdale. Free parking is available in the public parking garage located to the west of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Wells Fargo Avenue. Additional free parking is available at the Old Town Parking Corral at East Second Street and Brown Avenue and at the Civic Center Library parking garage located on Drinkwater Boulevard at East Second Street.

ACCESSIBILITY

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers performance accommodations to enhance audience members' experience, including: American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation or live audio description with two weeks advance notice. Assistive-listening devices and wheelchair seating are also available. Visit www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org/visit/accessibility/ or contact the Member and Patron Services Box Office at 480-499-TKTS (8587) [TDD: 480-874-4694] for further details. Please inquire about services when ordering tickets.

TICKET DISCOUNTS

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers a variety of ticket discounts for Scottsdale Arts members at the Friends level and above, groups of 10 or more and those purchasing packages to four or more events in one order. The Center provides free tickets to selected events for eligible students, teachers and active-duty military and veterans, and 50-percent off tickets to selected events for patrons 29 and under. Visit www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org/visit/tickets-discounts/ or call 480-499-TKTS (8587) for more information.

THE STORE

The award-winning Store at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts supports the mission and diverse programs of the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts. The Store's unique selection of merchandise includes artist-made jewelry, stylish furnishings for home and office, unique creations by Arizona artists, fair-trade and upcycled/recycled global crafts, music, books, greeting cards and imaginative toys. Purchases are tax free, and members receive a 10 percent discount. Gift wrapping and shipping are also available. The Store is open seven days a week: Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.; and throughout most evening events. Phone: 480-874-4644.

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