Direct from New York, Cristina Fontanelli returns to San Diego to perform her 3rd annual “Christmas in Italy®” concert at Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. For this special one-day event, Ms. Fontanelli will be accompanied by piano, mandolins, guitar and accordion in order to evoke the authentic Italian flavor of the music. The Mary Star of the Sea Choir of La Jolla with Music Director Jim Belasco will join Cristina with a children’s chorus.
Cristina Fontanelli is PBS/NY Affiliates host for Andrea Bocelli’s September concert “Live from Central Park”, “Il Volo Takes Flight”, Vienna Boys Choir and Qi Gong specials. She appeared on CBS-TV Weekend NY in interview/performance/co-hosting roles. Cristina Fontanelli describes the show on this 2010 CBS-TV interview YouTube link: http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=9xDMoWNe1c4&feature=email)
She has performed for Jimmy Kimmel’s “Feast of San Gennaro” in Hollywood. She is the voice of “Nonna” on PBS-TV Chef Lidia Bastianich’s animated Christmas special and is the voice of Domino’s Pizza on the national radio commercial.
In addition, Cristina has performed for the Clinton White House, the Presidential Inaugural Ball in 2005 for President George W. Bush with The Boston Pops, the St. Louis Symphony at Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency and has completed three world tours with the Mantovani Orchestra. She has also sung title roles with the Palm Beach, New Jersey, New York Grand and Cairo Opera companies.
Born in Brooklyn, Cristina Fontanelli was awarded the OSIA Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts. Previous recipients include Luciano Pavarotti. She has been cited as one of the most notable alumni of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts along with Robert Redford, Anne Bancroft, Cecil B. Demille, and Anne Hathaway, and has been named “Woman of the Year” by many Italian organizations throughout the country.
For this special one-day event, Ms. Fontanelli’s musicians will include local artists: Maestra Leigh Sutherlin (piano), London-trained classical mandolinist Christopher Acquavella and Gary Payne (mandolin), Norm Panto (accordion) and Joe Amato (guitar). Mr. Acquavella will play the mandolin which was the centerpiece of the film “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” starring Nicholas Cage and which was also used in “The Queen” and “Harry Potter” movies. The mandolin was made in 1933 and is known as “baby” for its strong, sonorous, warm sound and perfect intonation.
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Sherwood Auditorium is located at 700 Prospect Avenue, La Jolla, CA and tickets for “Christmas in Italy®” are sold through Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-3006 Event #448431 and online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/448431 with tickets ranging from $38 to $48. Group discounts are available. Ms. Fontanelli’s website is www.cristinafontanelli.com and www.christmas-in-italy.com.
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