“Grande Romanza” Highlights Love the Symphony at Barton on February 14

WILSON, N.C. – Plan to make Saturday, Feb. 14, a special Valentine’s Day, and celebrate in gala fashion with the Barton College/Wilson Symphony Orchestra at the eighteenth annual “Love the Symphony.” The evening’s performance, under the direction of Mark N. Peterson, will feature Stefano and Nina Tanchietti, the magical American Dramatic Tenor and Soprano Duo, performing musical scenes from their Grande Romanza®.

One of Wilson’s premier social events of the year, this dinner concert will be an evening guaranteed to please both the ear and the palette. The event will begin with a wine and cheese reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by entertainment at 7 p.m. The delectable buffet, prepared by Barton’s own master chefs, will be served at 8 p.m. following the concert.

Love the Symphony’s program will begin with the Suite from “The Magnificent Seven,” scored by Elmer Bernstein for the Academy Award-winning film. This will be followed by Stefano and Nina Tanchietti’s performance of a vignette of scenes from Victor Herbert’s Operettas. A second tribute to music in film will feature the orchestra’s rendition of George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris.” And, Stefano and Nina Tanchietti will return to the stage to perform selections from Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “Phantom of the Opera.”

This distinguished tenor and soprano duo, combine their talents to provide a powerful and unforgettable experience for their audiences. They both possess glorious operatic voices, extraordinary physical beauty, incomparable acting ability and innate artistic expressiveness. From their first joint venture as college sweethearts as Marco and Gianetta in Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Gondoliers,” to their first operatic pairing as Don Jose and Micaela in Bizet’s “Carmen,” to their most recent performances as Otello and Desdemona in Verdi’s “Otello,” their audiences have marveled at the special chemistry they share onstage.

Their story began in Massachusetts where they were born and raised. They both showed exceptional musical gifts at very early ages. Stefano’s beautiful boy alto gradually developed into a young dramatic tenor with world-class potential. His formal musical studies began at age17, and he won a full scholarship to Boston University School of Fine Arts.

Nina’s musical development began with ballet lessons at age eight, piano lessons at age 10 and voice lessons at age14. Dancing was initially her principal love and when she auditioned for the Boston Ballet at age 16, the director told her that she had the talent to become a great ballerina. But the following year the beauty of her young dramatic soprano also won her a scholarship to Boston University School of Fine Arts.

Over time, they have built extensive repertoires in opera, light opera, and musical comedy, and they are equally at home in all three mediums. And, because of their tremendous versatility and their love for various types of musical expression, the couple decided to create a special show that would highlight their numerous gifts. They also wanted to reach out to audiences that are not accustomed to experiencing the thrill of live voices coming directly at them without the aid of microphones and amplifiers. Thus was born “GRANDE ROMANZA®” musical scenes of love and passion from Broadway, Operetta, and Opera.

The popularity of “Love the Symphony” continues to grow following the change in venue four years ago to accommodate the ever-increasing number of guest reservations each year. Wilson Gymnasium on the Barton campus provides a spacious and elegantly transformed environment to provide the perfect backdrop for sweethearts and friends to enjoy the delightful classics performed by the orchestra.

“Love the Symphony” tickets are $50 per person, and reservations may be made by calling Lynne Medlin at 252-399-6309. Please note that tables for eight are available by reservation. No tickets will be mailed.

Thanks to the generosity of the BB&T Wealth Management Division, a portion of your contribution is eligible for a tax deduction as a charitable gift.

Mark your calendars for this truly festive occasion.

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Questions? Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations at Barton College, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.