Arts Spotlight: Poperazzi
by Laura Beth Williams
It's an evening of all things Italian for the program titled Poperazzi with the Houston Symphony and the fabulous "pop-opera" vocal trio straight from Vegas, also called Poperazzi, at The Pavilion Sept. 1. From opera to rock, Pavarotti to the Jersey Boys, Sinatra to The Rolling Stones, these young and versatile entertainers are like a classic Vegas martini, performing a delicate musical mix of opera with a twist! Tickets are $15 for orchestra seating. Free mezzanine and lawn seating are courtesy of Woodforest National Bank and KPMG, LLP. This event also is sponsored in part by Houston Family Magazine and CultureMap. Tickets are not required for free seating. Gates open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.
With a nod to their Italian roots, Poperazzi explores the music of Italy through opera, symphonic literature and songs popularlized by Italian Americans, all under the direction of Michael Krajewski, principal pops conductor of the Houston Symphony. The evening includes arias from "La Traviata," "Gianni Schicchi," "The Barber of Seville," "Nine," "The Godfather," and "Jersey Boys." Artists including Pavarotti and Sinatra are featured in two pieces, as well as "Balli il Tarantella!," "Funiculì-Funiculà," "That's Volare," "Singing Italian Songs" and "Jump Jive Boogie Woogie."
The spectacular trio, created in 2009 by founder George DeMott, features DeMott, Cody Shawn Gray and Janien Valentine. These diverse entertainers have worked in some of the premier opera houses in North America and Europe and have been featured in some of the top shows on the Las Vegas strip.
Arrive early for pre-concert activities beginning at 7 p.m. in the Fidelity Investments Plaza. For more information or to buy tickets, click here.
