Modesto Symphony presents Viva Italia with vocal group Poperazzi | Arts & Culture

WHAT: The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents “Viva Italia!” lead by guest conductor James Lowe and featuring the vocal group Poperazzi performing Italian classics, thrilling arias, Neapolitan songs and more on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 8pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, CA.  The evening’s program takes you on a tour of sunny Italy and includes tributes to Mario Lanza, Pavarotti, Sinatra and Frankie Valli plus music from The Godfather and more. Viva Italia is the second of three concerts in the Modesto Symphony’s Hilmar Cheese Company Pops Series.

“Viva Italia” was co-produced by Michael Krajewski former Music Director of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra (1989-2000) and current Principal Pops Conductor of the Houston and Atlanta Symphony Orchestras, and newly appointed Music Director of the Philly Pops.

Poperazzi - Blurring the boundaries between classical and popular music, Poperazzi was created in 2009 by founder and tenor, George DeMott. Joined by fellow tenor Cody Shawn Gay and soprano Janien Valentine, the three members of Poperazzi have performed in premiere opera houses in the U.S. and Europe, aboard the award-winning Crystal Cruise luxury ships, and in the top shows on the Las Vegas Strip. Poperazzi is committed to maintaining and preserving the core traditions of the classical music style, while infusing each show with rock and pop-inspired energy. The result is pure aural adrenaline.

With a nod to their Italian roots, Poperazzi’s “Viva Italia” explores the music of Italy through art song, opera, symphonic literature, and songs popularized by Italian-Americans. Elegant, versatile, and entertaining, their performances are delighting audiences in Atlanta, Houston, Phoenix, Detroit, Naples (Florida), and Edmonton (Canada). Poperazzi was featured in a live PBS broadcast from Madison, Wisconsin in July 2010. From rock to opera, classic Sinatra to The Rolling Stones, and Pavarotti to The Jersey Boys, Poperazzi performances present hundreds of years of musical tradition in a fresh and contemporary format.

Conductor James Lowe is a leading conductor of Opera and Musical Theater, and is currently the Music Director and Conductor of the 2011 Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Cole Porter's Anything Goes, starring Sutton Foster and Joel Grey. Mr. Lowe was also recently seen conducting performances of the Broadway revival of Gypsy, starring Patti LuPone. He toured the United States as Music Director and Conductor of the acclaimed Cameron Mackintosh/National Theatre production of My Fair Lady, and conducted the First National Tour of Adam Guettel’s The Light in the Piazza.

Mr. Lowe has appeared in concert with Sir Elton John, conducting his own orchestrations and choral arrangements of Elton’s classic songs, as well as with singer-songwriter Randy Newman. He accompanied legendary lyricist and writer Betty Comden in a performance featuring his own arrangements of Comden and Green songs, and his arrangements of Gershwin songs have been performed by renowned mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato in recitals at Lincoln Center and Wigmore Hall.

Poperazzi Exclusive Cabaret Show
Poperazzi will also be performing in a special MSO event at the SOS Club in Modesto on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 6:30pm.  The evening will include music from Sinatra, Dean Martin, the Rat Pack plus the Andrea Bocelli classic, Time to Say Goodbye. Seating is limited.  Tickets for this special MSO event are $75 and include finger food and wine.  For reservations, please contact Victoria Krippner at the Modesto Symphony Orchestra at 209-523-4156 ext. 107 or vkrippner@modestosymphony.org.  All proceeds benefit the Modesto Symphony Orchestra.

WHO:                           Modesto Symphony Orchestra

James Lowe, conductor              (click here for a complete bio of James Lowe)
Poperazzi, vocal group               (click here for complete bios of members of Poperazzi)

CONCERT PROGRAM:                                   

Balli il Tarantella! 

“Brindisi, Libiamo ne' lieti calici” from La Traviata  / Verdi

“O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi  / Puccini

Mamma  / Bixio

“Largo al factotum” from The Barber of Seville  / Rossini

Salute to the Italian Tenor

The Prayer

“Nessun Dorma” from Turandot  / Puccini

Funiculì funicular

That's Volare!

“Be Italian” from Nine

Sometimes I Dream 

Godfather Medley

Sinatra Suite / Sinatra

Singing Italian Songs

Selections from Jersey Boys / arr. Steven Reineke

Jump Jive Boogie Woogie

WHEN:  Friday, March 15, 2013 at 8:00p.m.                                

WHERE:                       Gallo Center for the Arts

10th and I Streets, downtown Modesto

CONCERT

TICKETS:                     Tickets for the concert start at $15 and are available through the Gallo Center for the Arts Box Office at (209) 338-2100, Monday through Friday 10:00am - 6:00pm and Saturdays 12:00pm - 6:00pm or at www.modestosymphony.org

CABARET SHOW

TICKETS:                     Poperazzi Exclusive Cabaret Show

Wednesday March 13, 2013 at 6:30pm

SOS Club, 819 Sunset Avenue in Modesto

Tickets are $75 and include finger food and wine. 

For reservations call the Modesto Symphony Director of Development, Victoria Krippner at (209) 523-4156 ext. 107 or e-mail vkrippner@modestosymphony.org

Source: Modesto Symphony