The event will form the opening night of the Supper Club series organised by the Society.
Mary-Louise Santa and Marco Cinque will present what promises to be an enjoyable and spectacular musical event.
Mary-Louise and Marco had been performing the show nationally across Australia prior to the pandemic.
Now they are restarting their program at the Eolian Society Club, giving the Italian community and their friends a chance to enjoy many famous and favourite arias.
Mary-Louise Santa is a soprano and Marco Cinque a lyric tenor.
Both have performed together for many years and have shared the stage with many other famous artists such as Marina Pryor, David Hobson and even the late Luciano Pavarotti.
Mary-Louise has performed at La Scala in Milan and Marco at various events in Italy including a special Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day) in Foggia which included many great performers and an impressive 60-piece orchestra.
Mary-Louise’s love of opera is apparent. Her eyes shine and her passione is obvious when she tells stories of her experiences.
Her nonna from Stromboli was the person who revealed the world of opera to her at the very young age of five.
She brought me to every opera, and I loved it. We both delighted in the experience, and it turned out to be fundamental to my musical grounding. Whilst my friends were following pop artists, my world was opera. I grew up with passato remoto.
Mary-Louise’s trajectory took her from attending performances with her nonna to the College of the Arts to study the art of operatic singing, then on to Europe to perfect her art.
“I was blessed to have been able to be supported by my nonna and my parents and embark on something I truly enjoy,” she said.
Mary-Louise’s father is also of Eolian heritage, from the island of Salina. With both parents from the Isole (Islands), the performance at the Society Club “will have a very special meaning” for her.
Marco Cinque developed his voice and stagecraft through various study opportunities in Italy as a young man.
He gained several scholarships which allowed him to finesse his art with maestros such as Lorenzo Castriota-Skanderbeg in Rome, to whom he credits his excellent voice training.
Marco has also gone on to have an impressive musical career.
His parents, from Puglia, were also very supportive of their son’s chosen career.
The family’s house was filled with operatic favourites, some of which will be featured in the Great Tenors and Sopranos show such as Finiculi, finicula.
He is looking forward to bringing these favourites to an audience who is sure to recognise and enjoy many of them.
The renowned pianist Joe Ruberto will accompany the duo. Recognised for impeccable musicality and talent in his own right, Joe brings years of experience to the show.
He has been playing with the duo since 1998 and is also keen to perform at this Supper Club event.
Marco is eager to present a specially selected repertoire of works representing famous operatic and musical theatre – signature works by Mario Lanza, Pavarotti, Maria Callas and Kiri Te Kanawa.
These works mean a lot to us. They have inspired and sculptured our career. The show is a tribute, a homage to the great artists who have brought great fulfillment to our lives – and we want to share this homage with the audience.
Mary-Louise explains that they will perform some of Puccini’s works, adding “who cannot love the lyricism of these works? They almost sing themselves. Each is beautiful and each a joy to sing!”
The duo will also sing some complex but exhilarating duets which include La` ci darem la mano from Don Giovanni, as well as The Prayer and the iconic Time to say goodbye. Mary-Louise explains,
We are excited to perform – each show is special. We ensure everyone is relaxed and can enjoy the show. There is nothing like seeing the joy on everyone’s faces. We know when we touch an audience. You can see it. And, they usually want more. For us, we tend to be totally spent at the end of a performance. We leave everything on stage, tutto!
The Supper Club evening of song will signal a return to music, hospitality, and enjoyment for all. With a three course Italian meal to enjoy as part of the special evening, it is sure to be a success.
Janetta Ziino, the Events Director for the Eolian Society Club, explains that this event is the first Supper Club event for the year.
The Club series will comprise “musical performances for culture aficionados to enjoy in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere amongst family and friends”.
Marco is looking forward to performing his favourite – Nessun dorma as part of the evening’s performance.
“It’s very challenging, but beautiful to sing,” he revealed.
Mary-Louise will sing one of her favourite’s, Puccini’s Musetta’s Waltz.
A word of warning; Mary-Louise and Marco have intimated that there will be some audience participation.
Given the intimacy of the show, the audience members might be well advised to warm up their own vocals in preparation. Just in case!
