Italian tenor flying in for one-off Lanza tribute show
Follow-up show in the offing after last year’s great success at Black Country theatre
LAST summer opera singer Tara Kelsey staged a unique Mario Lanza tribute concert at Sedgley’s Dormston Theatre, featuring Italian tenor Simone Francesco Liconti, who flew in from Italy espcially for the show, his UK debut.
Such was its success that Tara has organised another show for this coming August, and she is hoping that once again opera fans from across the Black Country will fill the theatre.
“We are now staging the sequel,” said Tara. “It’s entitled The Loveliest
Night of the Year – A tribute to Mario Lanza,” and will once again take place at the Dormston Centre, Sedgley, on August 25 at 7.30pm.
Delighted
“Simone is delighted to be returning to the UK to perform once again for the people of the Midlands. As a mezzo soprano I will be performing alongside Simone, whose opera career takes him touring literally worldwide, singing many of the famous leading tenor roles that Mario himself portrayed in his glorious MGM films during the 1950s.
“We will be accompanied by the gifted pianist/instrumentalist Jobe Sullivan from Birmingham.
“My father Fredrick Kelsey, a singer himself, was a Black Country man from Dudley and a big fan of Mario Lanza, who literally brought opera to the people through his films and music, and was considered the greatest opera crossover artist of the era, not only performing opera but also many of the popular hits of the day by composers such as Cole Porter, Jerome Kern and others.
“The whole essense of our event is to do just that – bring opera to the people of the Black Country.
“There are many people in the Midlands who are great fans, who remember and love Mario’s music.a lot of these dear folk are of an older generation that grew up and fell in love listening to the music of Mario.
“To have an Italian opera singer fly over from Italy is rather a sensation in itself We have an exciting new programme waiting for everyone. Tickets can be booked via the following website: seaty.co.uk/theloveliestnightoftheyear – or if you’d prefer you can call 07957 661222.