Vocal masters
The Four Italian Tenors to sing opera, popular songs in NM
Alessandro D’Acrissa knows music.
In fact, it’s been an enormous part of his life. “I live to sing to make me happy and now to make other people happy,” he says in an email. “This is not difficult for me.” D’Acrissa is one of The Four Italian Tenors.
He is joined by Federico Serra, Federico Parisi and Giovanni Maria Palmia.
The group will perform two shows in New Mexico, on Saturday, Nov. 9, in Alto and Sunday, Nov. 10, in Albuquerque.
D’Acrissa has performed many of the leading tenor roles in opera houses such as Rome’s Teatro dell’Opera and acclaimed festivals throughout Italy.
Serra began singing pop music but was soon winning opera competitions and performed his first major operatic role in Bergamo at age 27.
Parisi won the “Youngest Tenor of Italy” award and sings both classical and pop music in concert and hosts a popular television show.
Palmia completed his vocal studies in experimental opera in Parma and has since performed in distinguished choirs and numerous principal roles in operas including “Rigoletto,” “Nabucco,” “Aida” and “Tosca.”
The tenors are on tour for the first time in the United States.
“The tour is going very well. We are enjoying your beautiful country,” D’Acrissa says.
The Four Italian Tenors are following in the footsteps of great tenors such as Enrico Caruso, Mario Lanza, Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli.
The show is called “Viva Italia!” and features a program full of arias from the operas of Puccini, Donizetti, Verdi, and Rossini, as well as familiar songs such as “Ave Maria,” “Funiculi, Funicula,” “Volare” and “O Sole Mio.”
“We looked at a lot of music and chose a mix of opera and more popular songs that most people would recognize,” D’Acrissa says of the set.
Over the years, D’Acrissa says, his appreciation for music continues to grow, just as he does.
He enjoys keeping his touring fresh and is enjoying performing “Ave Maria” by Schubert now.
He’s also been surprised at how big the United States is and continues to keep himself mentally and physically ready.
“I thought I was prepared,” he says. “I did not really realize just how big your country is and how difficult the tour would be. This is our first tour to America. It is a good thing the hotels have workout rooms. … (For warm ups) I start out with light scales and increase in range and volume over about 30 minutes. For a tenor, we must warm up to be able to continue to sing night after night.”