Cristina Fontanelli

Cristina Fontanelli (born in Brooklyn, New York) is an American actress, opera singer and teleivision presenter who has performed in Tokyo, Paris, Milan, Cairo, Dubai, Hong Kong, Istanbul and Uganda.[1]

Early life

The Italian-American Fontanelli was born in Brooklyn, New York.[2][3] She first experienced opera hearing acclaimed soprano Maria Callas on the radio and has reportedly said her high school dream was to become an actress.[4] She graduated from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and also attended The Juilliard School.[3] In addition she has performed at many different venues and at public events, including at Feinstein's at the Regency,[5] the National Arts Club[6] and Duck Walk Vineyards in Southold, New York.[7] Fontanelli was also notably singing "Happy Birthday to You" to Sarah Herbert-Galloway at a surprise birthday party for the socialite at Space16 in the Hamptons when smoke broke out during a fire scare.[8]

Career

Fontanelli has appeared on stage with Joan Rivers, Joe Piscopo, Pat Cooper, and her friend the television host, Joe Franklin. She has sung with Boston Pops Orchestra with Richard Hayman conducting, Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and performed ar one of the 2005 Presidential Inaugural balls.[1]

Called a "vocal genius" by The New York Sun, Fontanelli was awarded the OSIA Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts (whose previous recipients include Luciano Pavarotti), and has been named "Woman of the Year" by Italian organizations throughout the United States.[3]

Fontanelli has hosted a series of specials for PBS including "Andrea Bocelli Live from Central Park" and Il volo takes flight.[9][10] in November 2010 Fontanelli appeaered on the "CBS Weekend NY" show on which she sang O Sole Mio.[11]

Every year during the holiday season Fontanelli performs a "Christmas in Italy" show.[12]

Personal life

Fontanelli resides in New York City, New York.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 Sarah Rahman. "Hoboken singer to perform in New York". The Jersey Journal.
  2. ↑ Biography page at Cristina Fontanelli's official site, accessed November 26, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Christina Fontanelli sings 'Christmas in Italy' program" The Union City Reporter, November 28, 2010, Page 20
  4. ↑ Petr Svab. "Cristina Fontanelli, Preserving Values Through Opera". The Epoch Times.
  5. ↑ http://exploredance.com/article.htm?id=1828
  6. ↑ https://chillwall.com/event/italian-culture-night-buffet-wine-dinner-with-cristina-fontanelli-friends-the-national-arts-club-12592468
  7. ↑ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/opera-broadway-of-the-hamptons-cristina-fontanelli-friends-tickets-33725885030#
  8. ↑ https://pagesix.com/2015/07/20/smoke-alarms-halt-actress-hamptons-birthday-bash/
  9. ↑ http://www.25amagazine.com/index.php/artform/art/item/757-cristina-fontanelli-award-winning-international-classical-crossover-singer
  10. ↑ http://tickets.nyu.edu/single/eventDetail.aspx?p=2358
  11. ↑ http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/11/28/cristina-fontanelli/
  12. ↑ http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/395522-cristina-fontanelli-preserving-values-through-opera/?photo=2



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