Few countries can lay claim to so many vocal treasures as Italy, where melodies have poured out of the country  since the dawn of the seventeenth century.  Accordingly, VOX 3 Collective begins its fifth season by celebrating the land where opera was born. Operatic arias by Verdi and Puccini stand alongside early madrigalesque rarities by d’India and Caccini, showy coloratura displays by Arditi and Donizetti, and atmospheric songs by Respighi and Tosti.  Fourteen talented singers, featuring VOX 3’s newest members, share their finely shaded interpretations of classic and not so well-known lullabies, love songs and dramatic declamations.   Saori Chiba accompanies.

Viva Italia! is performed Wednesday, September 7 at 7:30pm in the courtyard (weather permitting) at Bethany United Church of Christ, 4250 N. Paulina, Chicago.  The program will be repeated Thursday, September 8 at 7:30pm at Vail Chapel, Northwestern University, 1870 Sheridan, Evanston.  Admission is free.

Performers include:

Gretchen Adams, mezzo-soprano  |  Magaly Cordero, soprano

Caroline Gatlin, soprano  |  Meghan Guse, soprano

Ashlee Hardgrave, soprano  |  Catherine Huggins, mezzo-soprano

Juliet Petrus, soprano  |  Laura Pinto, soprano

Sara Salas, soprano  |  Elizabeth Shuman, soprano

Sean Stanton, baritone  |  Jennifer Thompson, soprano

Brian von Rueden, baritone  |  Alison Wahl, soprano

Angela Zawada, soprano

Saori Chiba, piano

VOX 3 Collective, Inc. NFP.  |  a 501(c)(3) organization

www.vox3.org  |  773.784.0425  |  info@vox3.org