zeani_traviataAn appearance by legendary diva Virginia Zeani is but one of the highlights of tomorrow night’s Marcello Giordani Foundation Concert and Dinner.

The Romanian soprano is a special guest of honor at the event to receive the Marcello Giordani Lifetime Achievement award. On the musical portion of the program, the tenor (in between performances of La fanciulla del West here in NYC) will offer Neapolitan and Italian love songs from  his forthcoming CD, “Ti Voglio Tanto Bene” with conductor Steven Mercurio.

He will then join Met colleagues Lise Lindstrom, Stephen Costello and a group of young artists for selections from Romeo et Juliette, Un ballo in maschera, La bohème, Pagliacci, Turandot, Il barbiere di Siviglia and Andrea Chenier.

If you’re at all like La Cieca, listening to all that singing will stimulate your appetite, and so you will be delighted to hear that following the concert there will be a lavish gala dinner catered by “Fresco by Scotto.”

Proceeds from the gala are earmarked for the organization of the first Marcello Giordani International Vocal Competition, to be held in Italy the Spring of 2011.

It’s all tomorrow night, December 8, at St. Jean Baptiste Church, Lexington Avenue at 76th Street, and a few tickets for the whole affair (or for just the musical part of the entertainment) are still available through the Marcello Giordani Foundation.

La Cieca

James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.

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