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Cristina Fontanelli
4th Annual Christmas in Italy
(Fontanelli Website)
Cristina Fontanelli on Vocals
David Maiullo on Piano
Frank Toscano on Accordion
John La Barbera on Guitar/Mandolin
At
The TimesCenter
The New York Times Building
(The TimesCenter Website)
242 West 41st Street
New York, NY 10018
800.272.9533
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
December 9, 2007
Cristina Fontanelli’s annual “Christmas in Italy” event was quite special today, not just for the splendid singing and fused musical accompaniment, but also for a chance to visit the new TimesCenter, a brilliantly colorful and comfortable auditorium at The New York Times Building, all gray steel, designed by the Italian architect, Renzo Piano. The TimesCenter includes a sleek stage, with a visible courtyard and trees, as well as large halls and conference spaces. The staircases are minimally intrusive, narrowly designed, and the entire, new midtown building is quite imposing in its quiet elegance.
Ms. Fontanelli provided her audience, which filled the auditorium this Sunday afternoon, with an informative booklet, detailing the significance and history of each song selection. She also spoke from the stage to welcome dignitaries, loyal supporters, family, and special friends. This was a warm, energized event. Today’s program included a selection from the genres of Italian opera, Italian folk music, Italian ballads, spiritual music, and just a couple of Christmas carols. Ms. Fontanelli sang almost exclusively in Italian, and her New York Italian and native-born, Italian fans were vocally enthused. She was accompanied by longtime associates, David Maiullo on piano, Frank Toscano on accordion, and John La Barbera on both guitar and mandolin.
Some of today’s highlights were Rossini’s “La Promessa”, with Mr. Maiullo adding lovely, textured chords, “Ciribiribin”, by Pestalozza, with waterfalls of keyboard trills, Bixio’s “Mamma”, for Ms. Fontanelli’s mother, proudly in the audience, accompanied by Toscano’s rich, rapturous accordion, and “Chitarra Romana”, by Di Lazzaro, with Mr. La Barbera on a very exotic guitar. From her first notes, it was clear that Cristina Fontanelli is deeply familiar with this genre, passionate about the performance, and in fine vocal form. Her notes were pitched to perfection, strong, and extended at times for dramatic effect. This music is obviously her forte, and she was attentive to the cultural focus of her fans.
Other highlights include Puccini’s “Un Bel Di”, an aria sung with elegance and tour de force, Di Capua’s “I te vurria vasa”, a love song sung with mellow melancholy, D’Annibale’s 'O Paese D'o Sole”, a festive family song, as cool as wine, and “O Marenariello” (by Gambardella) with “O Surdato N’ammurato” (by Canno), both beautifully accompanied by Mr. La Barbera’s mandolin. Ms. Fontanelli closed with “Ave Maria”, “Tu Scendi dalle Stelle” (an Italian Christmas carol), and “O Holy Night”. Throughout the concert, Ms. Fontanelli warmed her audience with thanks and praise, and she even changed gowns at intermission. The audience was reluctant to leave.
Cristina Fontanelli
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
David Maiullo on Piano
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
TheTimesCenter Auditorium
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
TheTimesCenter Stage
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Cristina Fontanelli
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
John La Barbera on Guitar
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
David Maiullo on Piano
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Cristina Fontanelli
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
John La Barbera on Guitar
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Cristina Fontanelli
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Cristina Fontanelli
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Cristina Fontanelli and Francesco Maria Talò, Consul General of Italy to New York
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
David Maiullo
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
John La Barbera on Mandolin
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Cristina Fontanelli
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Cristina Fontanelli
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Cristina Fontanelli
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Cristina Fontanelli
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Cristina Fontanelli
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Cristina Fontanelli
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Cristina Fontanelli
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
Cristina Fontanelli
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
TheTimesCenter
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
The New York Times Building
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
The New York Times Building
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
The New York Times Building
Photo Courtesy of Roberta E. Zlokower
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