The Festival will kick off again this year with a magnificent Gala Concert, a major event on the local cultural calendar featuring world-class musicians and a special atmosphere. Concert goers will be greeted by ushers attired in classical Venetian garb. The concert features music of Italian composers including Verdi, Mascagni, and Rossini, under the baton of Concert Director/Producer Jordan Irazabal. Classically-trained soloists will be supported by three well-known choirs and the Festival Orchestra, surely providing a memorable musical experience. This year’s featured ensemble is Festive Brass, a five-member brass group whose talents will keep you on the edge of your pew.
Soloists:
- Award-winning composer Joshua Green
- Joe Soprani, internationally-renowned accordionist
- Soprano Jessica Graae, Christine Kavanagh, & RoseMarie Peraino
- Tenor Luigi DiNetta
- Countertenor Augustine "Gus" Mercante, recent Fulbright Scholarship recipient
- Pianists Mark Blaschke & Marian Lee
Choirs:
- Mastersingers of Wilmington
- St. Anthony of Padua Concert Choir
- Hope Lutheran Choir
Orchestra:
- Contrabass - Arthur Marks (Delaware Symphony)
- Bassoon - Chuck Holdeman (Delaware Symphony)
- Cello - Louisa Marks (Delaware Symphony), Karen Ahramjian (Delaware Symphony)
- Clarinet - Vincent Marinelli (not in the DSO anymore according to the program on 5/15/09)
- Flute - Rebecca Swann (Kennett Symphony), Adrienne Harding
- French Horn - Joan Dowlin (The Festive Brass)
- Oboe - Lloyd Shorter (Delaware Symphony, University of Delaware)
- Percussion - Gabriel Finamore, Daniel DeSimone, Ian Guidish (Salesianum Alumni)
- Trombone - Pamela Letts
- Trumpet - Barbara Prugh (The Festive Brass), John Thyhsen (The Festive Brass)
- Tuba - Peter Krill (The Festive Brass)
- Viola - Sam Peters
Violin - Andrew Hetzler, Bonnie Ayers, Anita Pisano, Jody Cross
The concert starts promptly at 3:00pm on Sunday, June 7, 2009 in St. Anthony of Padua Church. There is no additional fee to attend the concert.
While you're visiting St Anthony's Italian Festival, take a few minutes to tour our beautiful Church. Learn about the history of its founding and its storied construction by volunteer artisans. Hear the stories of our stained glass windows, our beautiful mosaics, and other original works of art that adorn this magnificent space. See the many patron saints of the various areas of Italy that unified the Italian immigrants in Wilmington. Feel the warmth of the monumental yet accessible structure, which was built as a Labor of Love and the glory of God. Tour schedules will be posted at our Church entrance daily.
Half-hour concerts will take place in the church Monday through Friday at 6:30PM & 8PM, with previews taking place in front of the church one half-hour prior to the concert times.
The mini-concerts will feature vocalists Andrea Arena (soprano), Mary Ann Bernacky (soprano), Robert Lucien Demers (bass-baritone), Luigi DiNetta (tenor), Betsy Frey (alto), Jessica Graae (soprano), Alyssa Lehman (soprano), & RoseMarie Peraino (soprano); instrumentalists Jody Cross (violin), Rebecca Swann (flute), as well as Christine Eckrich--composer, vocalist, and pianist. All of the mini-concerts are accompanied by Director of Music Ministries & pianist, Mark Blaschke.
A special concert of musical selections performed by parish musicians will be held on Saturday, June 13 at 7PM in the church.
All concerts are free and open to all Festival attendees, and free-will offerings will e collected to benefit the St. Anthony’s pipe organ project.
