The Norris Center presents: Manhattan Lyric Opera-Pop Valentines Tribute to Love

Italian/Argentinian tenor and actor Atilio Marinelli, aka MR. ROMANTICO, pairs up with internationally renowned opera-pop singer Anne Tormela, aka THE DIVA, to perform the most beloved romantic duets of Broadway, Hollywood, Italian and Neapolitan-Opera classics with a twist of comedy and flair! Tributes to the great legends, Bocelli, Barbara Streisand, Mario Lanza, Celine Dion, Tom Jones, Whitney Houston, Engelbert, Sarah Brightman, Pavarotti and more. Music to be entertained by and to Dance to!

ANNE TORMELA

LYRIC COLORATURA

A native New Yorker, Ms. Tormela, a lyric coloratura, has been noted for her “secure technique, unfailing intonation and expression and clear and sensitive text.” (Ulrik Cold; Royal Danish Opera), her “ringing and strongly expressive voice with extraordinary vocal control.” (Leif Kramp; Critic/Lübecker Nachtrichten) and “negotiating the upper reaches (of her voice) with dazzling security” (David Syrus, Head of Music, Royal Opera House, Convent Garden). Ms. Tormela has performed numerous operatic roles and concertized all over the world in Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Israel, and Sweden.

From 2015 to 2018 Ms. Tormela was a guest soloist in Italy and Poland to great acclaim with the Civitanova Marche Orchestra, Bytomiu Opera house, The Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice, the Krakow Moorish Temple for the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, Sala Baldini in Rome, Italy and in 2018 with the Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana at Teatro La Nuova Fenice di Osimo. and was soprano soloist for the Sarasota Choral Society’s 2018 Messiah production. She is a member and founder of the Avante Garde chamber group (Chamber Music with a Twist!). In March of 2020 she performed with Metropolitan Opera star Jason Stearns at the Manatee Performing Arts Center in Bradenton, Florida. Upcoming performances in 2022 will be at the Norris Center in Naples, FL the Gateway Center for the Arts, in Debary, FL and in 2024 as a soloist with The Pops Symphony of Sarasota under the baton of Robyn Bell.

She has won numerous grants, awards and scholarships from venues such as The Rockefeller Foundation, International Vocal Arts Institute the Metropolitan Opera Guild, and The Altamura/Caruso International Voice Competition.

In addition to being an active performer she also produces, directs and stars in her own touring opera company called The Manhattan Lyric Opera Company where they specialize in producing cut down (90 minutes) classic operas and operettas and cabaret popera shows in the most user friendly fashion possible with projected sets and supertitles. Previous tour productions have been: “The Best of MGM Musicals and More!” , The Elixir of Love, Rigoletto, La Traviata, Lucia di Lammermoor, “Rodgers toRomberg to Webber” review show, The Merry Widow and Die Fledermaus “Manhattan Lyric Opera electrifies theatergoers” (Joleen Jansen/ The Clayton County Register).

In addition to opera, Ms. Tormela has a fourth degree black belt in Taekwon Do.

ATILIO MARINELLI, Tenor

Atilio Marinelli, an Argentinian of Italian and Spanish-Creole heritage is one of the most sought-after international musical entertainers today and is noted for being “Irresistible, Fabulous and Fun!”.

Professionally known as “Mr. Romantico”, "It's rare to see talent like this!”, Marinelli is a classically trained dramatic tenor and actor who sings a wide repertoire of International hits from Popular Music to Opera, in English, Italian and Spanish. Performing all over the world he has been enchanting audiences with his charismatic shows with a twist of comedy and flair. "The best show we've seen in years! You may laugh or you may cry but you WILL get goose bumps during this thrilling and delightful show!”

Marinelli specializes in customized multi-media cabaret type shows with TRIBUTES to the big hits of the great Pop/Opera legends such as: Bocelli, Elvis, Mario Lanza, Sinatra, Tom Jones, Neil Diamond, Pavarotti and more as well as Popular Italian songs, Cinemusic-Hollywood’s most beloved songs, Broadway gems of the Musicals, and Golden Oldies (Blast from the Past) DANCING music from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s. In 2018 he paired up with international opera/pop singer Anne Tormela in a new cabaret show “Mr. Romantico and The Diva!” to rave reviews and also with the amazing Canadian tenor/entertainer Andrea Garofolo in their new and exciting Tribute Show "Lanza meets Caruso and Callas" and “Pop to Opera”. With the elegant combination of music and videos, Marinelli has created a feast for the ears as well as the eyes!

Born and raised in the heart of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where tango music spills from its balconies, Marinelli hails from a prestigious artistic family. His Italian father was an amateur tango dancer, his grandmother and his sister were opera singers and his uncle (also named Atilio Marinelli) was a famous South American movie and TV actor of the 60s and 70s not to mention that one of his relatives married the great tenor Andrea Boccelli!. Following the footsteps of his artistic family, Atilio began studying music at the age of 6 with the choir director of Balvanera’s Church. At the age of 14 he became the guitarist and lead singer of a rock band and as a young tenor he was selected to be in the “Argentinians Got Talent” television show. In 1996 he founded his own entertainment company, and with 12 dancers and musicians he performed more than 2000 Latin Shows in 16 years.

Marinelli studied opera with the great master teachers at Teatro Colón Opera in Buenos Aires and later in America with Steffanie Pearce from Opera Naples now Gulfshore Opera and Bill Doherty from Central Florida Lyric Opera.

In addition to his musical pursuits, Marinelli received a college degree in Architecture and a master’s degree in Urban studies and was a former Argentinian Rugby champion. A hard-working entrepreneur, Marinelli started his own business as an Architect in Buenos Aires designing and building homes and business for 11 years.

Having arrived in America in 2012, Atilio is thrilled and proud in 2017 to have become an American Citizen.!

Date:   Monday, February 14th

Time:  7:30 pm

Cost:    $25 Advance

             $30 at Door

To purchase tickets online click on the link,  Eventbrite

or by phone: (239) 213 - 3049