The Castleberry Social Club had a special treat at their April meeting on Monday night. Terry Vece had arranged for Duo Romantico to perform. They are fairly new to The Villages area.
Vece had seen them perform in January, loved the performance and was excited to book them for her social group.
Christy and Atilio Marinelli are Duo Romantico. Ohio native Christy and Atilio, a native of Argentina, were both musicians in their own right, when a chance meeting brought them together. As they tell it, while Christy was traveling in Buenos Aires, she saw Atilio and pretended to be lost and asked for directions. Atilio says he pretended to believe she was really lost and from that meeting they fell in love and married in 2012. They began performing together and decided to move to this area from south Florida in July 2015. “We love The Villages,” said Christy. “There are so many people here who appreciate our music.”
Both classically trained, Christy, a mezzo soprano and Atilio, a tenor, perform concerts. “We change it up; don’t really do the same show twice.” Monday night the show included songs sung in Spanish, Italian and English. Songs from movies featured stills of that movie. An audience favorite judging from the applause was Christy’s rendition of Questa E Quella.
Their music is interspersed with funny family stories, centered particularly on Atilio’s mastering the English language. Another favorite moment in the show was Atilio singing Nessun Dorma. The audience jumped up in a spontaneous standing ovation during the song and remained on their feet until the song was finished.
The show also includes light moments with audience participation singing Volare and Funiculi. The Marinelli’s are big supporters of SOS (Support our Veterans) and offer audience members a chance to donate to that cause at every one of their performances.
To say they were well received by the audience would be an understatement. The energy in the room during intermission was electric. Gerri Piscitelli, president of the Villages Opera Club, along with her friend Helga Sharp was in the audience. Duo Romantico has performed for the Opera Club and Gerri enjoyed the performance so much she didn’t want to miss a chance to see them perform again.
“This is really an Italian love fest,” said Gerri, “the use of the movie shots to accentuate the songs is very effective. They chose their songs very well. It really raises the enthusiasm, making us part of the program. People are having the time of their life.”
Two Bonnybrook residents John Hix and Dave Berkaw were also very complimentary. Said Hix, “It’s great, an awesome show.” Berkaw summed it up in one word “Fantastico!”
Vece was just as pleased with this show as she was in January. “They are so talented and their music is beautiful, yet they are so down to earth, not divas at all.”
Dou Romantico will be headlining a benefit concert for SOS at the Savannah Center on Nov. 20. Judging by the number of cards they were handing out after the show and the accolades they were receiving, there will be many other opportunities to see them perform before November.
If you would like more information about this musical couple, visit their website: www.duoromantico.com.