International singing sensation CRISTINA FONTANELLI will sing a program of Italy's best-loved songs, arias, Neapolitan and Christmas classics during her 8th Annual "Christmas In Italy" concert at the Danny Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College on Sunday, November 27 at 3:00 PM. "Christmas in Italy" will also take place for the first time in San Diego at the Neurosciences Institute in La Jolla on Thursday, December 8 and in San Pedro - the historic Harbor of Los Angeles - at the Warner Grand Theater on Sunday, December 18. 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 tradition of performing holiday favorites and well-known songs and arias because of my concern that Italian folk and classical music is quickly becoming a lost art," says Ms. Fontanelli. The Kaye Playhouse is located at 695 Park Avenue (East 68th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues) and tickets and information is through the box office at 212-772-4448 and online (after November 20) at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/203724. More information on Ms. Fontanelli can be found at www.cristinafontanelli.com.
For this special one-day event, Ms. Fontanelli will be accompanied by piano, mandolin, guitar and accordion in order to evoke the authentic Italian flavor of the music. Both The Fordham University Choir and the Coro d'Italia Bambini Childrens Chorus will join Cristina helping to accomplish her goal of preserving these musical gems for future generations. Following in the footsteps of great Italian classical vocal artists such as Caruso, Pavarotti and Bocelli, Fontanelli is joining the ranks of those artists who sing popular songs with classically trained voices. "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.
Cristina Fontanelli recently appeared as PBS host for the historic Andrea Bocelli concert in Central Park NYC (airs December 2011) and will also be the PBS host for the Vienna Choir Boys special. She appeared on CBS Weekend in interview/performance/co-hosting roles; performed for Jimmy Kimmel's "Feast of San Gennaro" in Hollywood; is the voice of "Nonna" on PBS Chef Lidia Bastianich's animated Christmas special; and is the "voice" of Domino's Pizza on the national radio commercial. She appeared in Washington DC for the 2011 National Italian American Foundation Gala, and 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 Loews Regency and has completed three world tours with the Mantovani Orchestra. She has also appeared with Tony Bennett and recently sang "Happy Birthday" to film icon Mickey Rooney for his official 90th birthday celebration.
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, Anne Hathaway and more) and has been named "Woman of the Year" by many Italian organizations throughout the country.
"Christmas In Italy" is a vocal journey through Italy's best loved songs and arias as well as Neapolitan and Christmas classics. Her repertoire will include songs and arias by Donizetti, Tosti and Puccini along with such classics as "Torna A Surriento," "Ave Maria" 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. Fontanelli's CD Great Italian Favorites is currently available. Cristina Fontanelli describes the show on this 2010 CBS Interview YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xDMoWNe1c4.
