Couple to perform at Sparta Ave. Stage

SPARTA — Sparta Avenue Stage is presenting a new and different type of live entertainment.

On Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14 the venue will feature a program of beautiful music sung by the husband and wife team, Duo Romantico.

Duo Romantico is Atilio Marinelli, an Argentinean native and dramatic tenor, and Christy Marinelli, originally from Ohio, who sings mezzo-soprano.

They are classically trained vocalists and they will perform a program of music referred to as Pop Opera or Popera, which is popular music sung in an operatic style in the fashion of Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban.

Popera is their way of bringing beautiful music from opera and popular music to the stage for everyone's enjoyment, said Christy.

Their repertoire will include some Italian standards, Broadway selections, jazz favorites and popular arias. Beautiful visual projections enhance the drama of the music and the differences in their cultures makes for comedic repartee reminiscent of Lucy and Ricky.

Diane Garsetti, co-proprietor of the Sparta Avenue Stage, said Sparta is a bustling on Friday and Saturday nights and a relaxing evening of enchanting music might be a good addition to an evening out. We are delighted to have Duo Romantico and their elegant vocal styling at the Stage.

The duo are accomplished singers and entertainers. Atilio has studied with teachers from Teatro Colon Opera House in Buenos Aires and has been a professional entertainer for over 18 years. Television Audiences chose Atilio as a finalist on the Argentinean version of American Idol, a testament to his talent and his popular appeal.

Christy is a well-traveled actress who has been singing is musical theater productions for many years. She majored in speech and theater at Ohio University and is fluent in French and Spanish and she is studying Italian.

She has a warm and lovely voice and enjoys singing dramatic passionate songs from Broadway shows, according to an event news release.

Eddy Lester, a theatrical agent and longtime resident of Sparta, is an enthusiastic fan of the Duo Romantico and was enthralled by the passion and artistry of their performances.

Sparta is one of the first stops on Atilio and Christy's international tour which includes several performances in other parts of New Jersey as well as Manhattan, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and then a return to their home state of Florida, followed by Arkansas with some dates on hold for performances in Europe.

Shows are Friday June 13 and Saturday June 14 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $20 and advance tickets are available at www.spartastage.com or call Diane at 973-769-2893.