Welcome to the Get to Know series where each week I introduce a new blogger behind him/her blog with Q&A’s – with personal revealing results. Check back on Wednesdays for your weekly peek behind the blog left slightly ajar. This week I’m not featuring a blogger, but rather a singing band called Al Vivo! This band is near and dear to my heart because hubby is one of the band members.
AL VIVO is the all-Italian group from across North America brought together by a passion for the timeless classics of the golden age. Representing the best of Broadway, Toronto and Vegas are Angelica Di Castro, Gabriel Burrafato, Alessandra Paonessa and Jared Troilo-Four unique, passionate performers of Italian descent. AL VIVO pays homage to the likes of Dean Martin and Connie Francis using brilliant four part harmonies, and delivering a daring, soaring performance the entire family will fall in love with.
Set to give audiences a feeling of nostalgia and introduce young listeners to timeless classics, AL VIVO brings all elements and styles of Italian music to the forefront. From a high tenor bravado to smooth crooning, AL VIVO’s combination of powerful vocals and exceptional harmonies have brought audiences to their feet time and time again.
Meet the Members:
Gabriel
Two-Time Broadway World Award Winner Gabriel Burrafato has received international recognition on Broadway, National Tours and Las Vegas. The italian ‘crooner’, or this talented (Show – Man) whose parents originate from Sicily , currently stares as Dean Martin in the Award Winning show, “Vegas! The Show”, Gabriel had the distinct honor of performing for the Legendary JERRY LEWIS, who gave Gabriel “Two Thumbs up!”
Gabriel Burrafato, who is a Las Vegas native, has worked closely with Academy Award winning composer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. two-time Academy Award winning composer A.R. Rahman, and Tony Award director Harold Prince. Performing in the most prestigious musicals on Broadway, this talented Baritone amazes audiences with his dynamic voice and charisma.
Angelica
Italian -Canadian singer Angelica Di Castro began captivating audiences with her powerful and unique voice performing in theatres across the U.S and Canada. Throughout her career, the talented Mezzo-Soprano has released three successful albums in English and Italian with songwriting credits from renowned songwriter/producer David Foster.
Angelica’s talent brought her to her first world-class achievement performing the Italian verse of the World Youth Day Song for the late Pope John Paul II in front of a television audience of millions worldwide. She is proud of her Italian roots and toured Molise, Italy from which her family originates from.
Angelica musical highlights include singing at The Mandalay Bay In Las Vegas, performing as opening act for Cirque Du Soleil and Italian Sanremo Singers, Singing on The Jimmy Kimmel Show outdoor stage festival, appearing in Billboard Magazine and singing the national anthems in Canadian and American stadiums.
Jared
Italian- American Tenor Jared Troilo has rapidly become one of the most versatile and exciting performers in the North America.
While he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater, Jared also studied Opera while at the prestigious Boston Conservatory .He h as worked extensively in musical theater in New York City and on tour playing leading roles as “Danny Zuko” in “Grease”
The Boston Native is of Italian heritage from the region of Abbruzo. He has had the pleasure of singing at venues in Italy, from Rome, to Venice, to Sicily.
Allessandra
Alessandra Paonessa is an international award winning recording artist and classically trained soprano from Toronto, Canada. She is quickly gaining recognition for her “sweet, pure lyric soprano… and lush, rounded tone” ( Fanfare Magazine 2015).
In November 2014, Alessandra released her award winning debut album ‘Remembering Heaven’, an international collaboration featuring the work of renowned British composer, Chris Broom which received a Gold Medal for ‘Best Album’ in the Global Music Awards.
Alessandra’s award highlights include ‘Best Female Vocalist’ in the Global Music Awards, ‘Best Classical’ In the Toronto Independent Awards and nomination for ‘Best Female Vocalist’ for her single “Dolce Vento” in the Hollywood Music in Media Awards 2015.
This dazzling and dynamic Soprano has roots in Calabria, Italy and has always embraced singing in the Italian language. Alessandra continues to inspire audiences with her captivating voice and electrifying stage presence.
If you want to follow Al Vivo you can find them at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Want to be featured on our Get to Know series? Email janise@mamainheels.com with Subject: Get to Know, for more info.
