All Larry Rivellese needed to create some vocal fireworks for an Independence Day celebration was the inspiration of Old Glory.
Rivellese sang the National Anthem and his soaring, operatic performance thrilled a Savannah Center crowd during the Evolution Dance holiday show this weekend.
It was a stunning moment for The Villages and all in attendance.
“I love singing the anthem; it’s our country’s song,” said Rivellese who, last month, earned national recognition after singing “Nessun Dorma” on Steve Harvey’s NBC-TV program, “…Forever Young.”
“Larry is The Villages’ new favorite son,” said Jack Filkins, who introduced Rivellese to a big Savannah Center crowd and the singer earned a loud ovation, even before the song.
Rivellese, a trained opera singer, takes the Anthem personally. “I don’t like it when the anthem is not done right,” he said. “You have to respect that song. It means so much to America.”
“When I sang that song tonight, I thought of the veterans in the audience and all they have done for us. It’s a tribute to them.”
Performing the National Anthem has sometimes been the subject of controversy. Such rock and R&B performers as Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye and Jose Feliciano interpreted the song in a different way.
But others just blew it.
Christina Aguilera flubbed the lyrics and the song during the 2011 Super Bowl. Steven Tyler did the same thing during an NFL championship game in the early 2000s. Michael Bolton had problems with the Anthem at a Boston Red Sox game in 2003.
And comic Roseanne Barr desecrated the Anthem with the all-time worst performance of the song at a San Diego baseball game in 1990.
For some, it’s hard to sing. “Not for me,” Rivellese said.
