WTI Magazine #73    2015 November 27
Author : Cristina Fontanelli      Translation by:

Hello all of you precious readers of "We The Italians". Thank you Umberto Mucci for giving me the opportunity to explain how and why I began the beloved annual Italian show "Christmas in Italy®" 12 years ago in NYC and 4 years ago in San Diego. The memories I have of growing up Italian-American, one generation away from my Italian "roots" - hearing the Molfettese dialect spoken by my Mamma, Francesca, and my aunts, uncles, Grandparents Eleonora and Domenico De Candia; experiencing the laughter, the joy – how they stayed up all night Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve playing Pinoccle; the traditional dishes, etc.

Visiting my father in the family store in NYC's Little Italy – the famous Italian Food Center on the corner of Mulberry and Grand Streets – that to this day the neighborhood people call "Fontanelli's" – I saw my father, Rocco, behind the counter – helping people enjoy their lives by providing the most delicious Italian cheeses, sausages, pasta (my paternal grandfather was born in the city of great pasta, Graniano). To hear my Mama's beautiful voice and love of singing!

How I longed to share the amazing joy, to keep the connection with these wonderful family values and traditions and Faith, to have today's children and young people feel that joy, if only for an afternoon – My "ancestors" learned to laugh during hard times – the Depression, the hardships during WWII – always having each other solid, like a rock, to lean on and ultimately, having the wisdom to lean on their Faith in the Almighty God.

I began "Christmas in Italy®" 12 years ago as a "love letter" to my heritage and to keep the great musical traditions of Italy alive and teach them to future generations. It was born out of a vision to create a show filled with the joy and family values that I experienced growing up in an Italian-American household with Grandparents who were born in Italy. I thought it would be truly special to perform the music in it's traditional style with authentic Italian instruments including mandolins, guitars and accordion. (I sing and describe the show on this CBS-TV Interview) and perform the the traditional Neapolitan song "O sole mio" and "Time to Say Goodbye (Con te partirò)" from a previous "Christmas In Italy®".

"Christmas In Italy®" started out just to preserve the great music and songs of Italy, but the world has changed drastically in the last 12 years and it has gone on to have much more significance as we see our society getting further and further away from the sentiments, values and Faith we hold dear. Of the many wonderful reviews and coverage I have received in the media, this review of "Christmas in Italy®" in the NY Epoch Times newspaper means the most to me.

The idea for "Christmas in Italy®" came to me after I sang at an event (2004) where there was a NY Times reporter. I sang what I thought was the very famous Neapolitan song, "Torna a Surriento" but the reporter came running up to me to tell me how much he loved it and asked me what it was. After I explained that the song was traditional from Naples he wrote about it in "The New York Times". I decided then and there to present a show to the public once a year at Christmastime where they could come, as a family, and hear the great musical gems of Italy. I began this completely on my own, using funds that were generated through my singing engagements and every year it has been a "leap of faith". "Christmas in Italy®" started in Merkin Concert Hall in 2004 and we have steadily needed a larger venue -the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, Symphony Space in 2012, the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in 2014 and again on Saturday, December 19, 2015 and in San Diego on Saturday, December 5. Everyone seems to love this fan quote the best! "We had a magical time."- Two Italian Boys from Brooklyn. And these fan quote(s) help sum up my spiritual and cultural legacy vision of this beloved annual Christmas show: "I attended your "Christmas in Italy®" concert yesterday and I was so deeply touched. Your exquisite voice and selection of songs brought tears to my eyes. When I was young the family entertainment was getting together on a Saturday night and my Dad and his brothers played the mandolin and guitar and sang those wonderful songs. Thank you for the beautiful memories." And "Cristina, I can't thank you enough. I was in tears through most of the concert. Tears of reflection and memories. Your rendition of Ave Maria was truly the most moving I've ever experienced. I was left in a transcendental state of peace. May each year, more and more, embrace your Christmas in Italy concert so our future American bambinos can learn where we came from and the fibers that join us together." – Frank C., Macchio, President Queensboro UNICO

"Christmas in Italy®" has grown through the years. Since it's first presentation, when we didn't even have a poinsettia plant on the stage, it has become an Italian extravaganza with stage lighting and decorations, an adult choir, a children's choir, children dancing, a guest tenor and my PBS-TV co-hosts as emcees and other celebrities that stop by. I am happy to report that this concert/show so dear to my heart is now officially in development for PBS-TV and there has been interest by Tony-award winning Broadway producers.

This year's musical accompaniment includes world-class musicans on piano, mandolins, guitar and accordion. The Little Language Studio of Brooklyn (Alberta Gulotta, teacher) will sing the traditional Italian Christmas carol "Tu scendi dalle stelle" ("You came down from the stars"); Dance Electra students of Staten Island (Kathy Gambardella, teacher) will dance to the Transiberian Orchestra version of "Carole of the Bells", the Ms. Senior America "Seasoned Steppers" will perform and the Richmond Choral Society of Staten Island and the Arcadian Chorale of Monmouth County, NJ (Marina Alexander, Music Director) will perform the great choral pieces written by Giuseppe Verdi – "Va pensiero" (Nabucco) and the "Brindisi" (La Traviata), plus Christmas selections. PBS-TV colleagues, distinguished hosts Denise Richardson and Jim Masters will emcee, along with celebrity guests, and tenor soloist t/b/a. NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts is located at 566 LaGuardia Place across from Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village, New York, NY 10012 and tickets for "Christmas In Italy®" are sold at 1-888-611-8183 and online at www.nyuskirball.org with tickets ranging from $47.00 to $75.00 (Group, senior and student discounts available). www.cristinafontanelli.com . And San Diego www.bpt.me/2432138 or 1-800-838-3006.

Please join us to experience a wonderful, musical BUON NATALE as only Italians and those who love everything Italian (the rest of the world!) on Saturday, December 19 in NYC Subway: A,B,C,D,E,F,M to West 4th Street; 1 to Christopher Street; N or R to 8th Street; 6 to Astor or Bleeker Streets;Bus: M1, M2, M3, M5, M8, M21 x9, M101, M102, and M103 and Saturday, December 5 in San Diego at the Joan Kroc Center for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego. Ci vediamo!