CHRONOLOGY AND PAST PERFORMANCES

MOTHER’S DAY NIGHT 2005 –
I awakened from a dream in which I heard angels singing the piece. I immediately got out of bed, and started copying what I had heard. Although, I had forgotten many of the notes and harmonies, I gradually started retrieving them. The entire process took about a week. 

THE FIRST CONCERT PERFORMANCE –
In a concert on November 21,2004 - St. Cecelia’s Day - at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, Singer Island, Florida, soprano Janet Perez, and tenor Jim Clark, premiered the piece as a duet, with me accompanying on piano. We received a standing ovation with shouts of “Bravo”, - an uncommon practice in a church. 

SOME HELP FROM MY FRIENDS –
I sent recorded copies of the piece to Roman Ortega-Cowan, the Artistic Director of The Vero Beach Opera   and one to choral-arranging legend Hawley Ades. Roman called it “magnificent”, promising to do whatever he could to get the piece to prominence. Hawley, 95 at the time and half blind, said, “the piece is absolutely beautiful, and I’d like to write an SATB arrangement for it.” He did write a beautiful arrangement, but unfortunately died without hearing it. He was a great friend. 

THE WORLD PREMIERE 2007 –
I sent Ades’ arrangement to Roman Ortega-Cowan. Later, he called saying the Vero Beach Choral Society - a 40-member choir - would perform it with concert pianist Marcos D. Flores conducting, and Julliard graduate Kelly Coppage on piano.
“Dr. Flores loves the piece. They’re already rehearsing it.”
The Evening of January 28, 2007 came and they all performed it beautifully.
It was billed as "The World Premiere."

I MET A GIANT -
Upon Dr. Flores’ suggestion, I authorized Charles Calello to write an orchestral accompaniment for the piece, for use with a choral group and/or soloist. Calello has orchestrated for Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, Engelbert Humperdinck, Neil Diamond . . . hit after hit after hit. I especially love the strings in all of his arrangements, and his full symphonic sound. I interrupted his work on my piece, asking, “With all honestly, what do you think of it?” I was taken aback when he answered, “It’s absolutely brilliant!” I said, “Wow, really?” He said, “Yes . . . really!” 

IN THE STUDIO 2008 -
We recorded Calello’s great orchestration on demo at my friend Don Bestor’s recording studio in Port St. Lucie. It featured soprano Melissa Rowell.

INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED DIVA SINGS MY AVE MARIA 2009 -
Roman Ortega Cowan, of the Vero Beach Opera, sent my piece to several operatic vocalists. Opera star, soprano Susan Neves liked it, and called asking if I would accompany her performance of the piece on piano. I was elated, and on April 4, 2009 at the Waxlax Center for the Performing Arts, Vero Beach, our performance was received with thunderous applause and Susan Neves lived up to her greatness. The 4-minute performance was videotaped, which you can now enjoy by Clicking Here.

A BEAUTIFUL CONCERT
On December 19, 2009 Rossi's Ave Maria was performed at Christ By The Sea United Methodist Church in Vero Beach, Florida, as part of the church's Christmas Pageant. A 34-member church choir and 28-piece church orchestra performed the piece. Dr. Marcos Flores conducted the performance, which was the World Premiere of Charles Calello’s orchestration of the piece. The composer’s 16-year old granddaughter, Katrina Colletti was the featured soprano soloist. View It Here.

AN INTERNATIONAL DEBUT
On December 22, 2009 the piece made its international debut when it was performed by soprano Claudia Yañez Jimenez at the Juan Antonio Blanco Hall of the National Museum of Fine Arts, in Santiago Chile. She was accompanied by pianist Constanza Rosas. (See at: www.youtube.com).

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More will come!