Bell’Aria is the soundtrack of the Italian-American experience. On their debut album Little Italy, the quintet reinvigorates a bevy of classic Italian-American songs, creating a sonic journey for listeners of all ethnic backgrounds through the rich cultural history Italian immigrants and their descendents have forged in America. Bell’Aria. Gabriel Burrafato, Jessica Carvo, Angelica DiCastro, Christopher Macchio and Miriam Pultro, .pay homage to the likes of Dean Martin, Mario Lanza, and Louis Prima, while adding a fresh, fun and fiery spin on staples such as “That’s Amore,” “Mambo Italiano” and “Volare” to Italian classics such as “Funiculi Funicula” and “Santa Lucia.” Harmonies careen with passion and power, while these five unique voices color every song vibrantly. Available November 23, 2010 on EMI’s Manhattan Records, the album allows young listeners an introduction to timeless tunes, while giving the older generation a new perspective on some of the most loved traditional songs. Bell’Aria treats each piece with care, close attention and, of course, love.
Bell’Aria came together organically in February 2010. Serendipity pointed these unique individuals towards the group in a very special way. An ad in Backstage Magazine calling for Italian-American singers was answered by all five members. Miriam explains, “I look at Backstage every day for auditions, and I saw this. I went to New York for the audition, and that was it.”
The journey began similarly for Long Island native Jessica Carvo. “I was looking through my best friend’s subscription to Backstage online,” she says. “I’d never seen an ad geared specifically towards Italian-Americans and the type of music they were referencing. I always loved emulating jazz singers and artists of the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s, so I had to try out.”
Meanwhile in Toronto, Angelica came across the same ad online, and she felt just like Jessica did. “These were the songs I grew up listening to and performing as a teenager. It seemed to have my name written all over it. I’d been singing ‘You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me’ since I was 15, and now it’s on our album.”
Christopher was the first male to join the fold. While in Manhattan for a gig, a friend called him and asked if he’d audition alongside her. He instantly dazzled everyone in the room with his operatic and orchestral delivery and was locked into Bell’Aria. The girls were formally added shortly after, setting the stage for Bell’Aria.
Gabriel was the final piece of the puzzle. While touring with the national production of Broadway’s Camelot, he came across the ad. “I found out I could send a video submission, so I was in my hotel in Santa Barbara with my flip phone filming an impromptu audition,” he laughs. “The day I finished the tour, I flew to New York and performed for everyone. We connected instantly because we all bring something different to the table. I come from a theatrical background. Christopher has that opera presence. Angelica has done a lot of studio recording.”
One short month after the audition, the group entered the studio to record their interpretations of 12 classics for Bell’Aria’s debut. Each fell into his her own groove, and magic was captured in the studio. They also began rehearsing for their debut performance at The Venetian in Las Vegas. The performance happened in August 2010 and was taped for a PBS special set to air in December pledge, coinciding with the first proper tour announcement and album launch.
As a Las Vegas native, this first gig was particularly significant for Gabriel. “The fact that the Venetian was the site of the original Sands Hotel where the Rat Pack performed is incredible. We paid tribute to these songs in such a special location. It was out of this world.”
Even after one show, Bell’Aria has become “out of this world” together. Each unique personality shines, while the group casts a spell like no other. Christopher definitely possesses operatic soul. He always gravitated towards classical music since his childhood in the Big Apple. With years of conservatory training, his schooled background gives Bell’Aria an air of refinement.
“I’m very excited about the wide range of repertoire we perform in this project,” says Christopher. “I can really feel the energy of the modern songs we do, but I also have a chance to draw upon my substantial classical repertoire. There are three sides to our sound. On one end of the spectrum, there’s the classical. In the middle, there’s the Neapolitan folk sound. Then, there’s pop. I have a deep connection to the music’s authentic roots because of my studies and upbringing.”
Angelica shares a similar connection to classic Italian music. Growing up in Toronto, she and her family spoke Italian at home, and she began singing many of these songs at a very young age. She graduated with an Honours Degree in Classical Voice Performance from York University in Toronto and completed all her vocal studies from The Royal Conservatory of Music. These studies allow her to convey an array of styles that sound both modern and operatic. Angelica also sung the solo Italian verse of the official World Youth Day song for Pope John Paul II before a crowd of 400,000 and a television audience of millions worldwide. Shortly after, she cut her first independent album.a collection of Italian classics.
“I bring a touch of what the Italian culture is all about,” exclaims Angelica. “There’s a lot of passion and drama. You need to feel this type of music. With Bell’Aria, we’re trying to show the fun side of what Italians are all about.”
Originally hailing from Philadelphia, Miriam’s acted in various projects and sung since childhood. She provides a distinct flair to the sound. She adds, “My voice is reminiscent of modern pop and Broadway. I bring an edge to the group. Bell’Aria’s very eclectic. We’re all different, but we blend really well together. We’re giving our own perspective on some legendary tracks.”
Jessica enhances that perspective with a fresh spark as the youngest member of the group. Recently graduating from the University of Delaware, her voice has been heard before 76ers’ games and other sporting events in the Philadelphia area. She even lent her vocal talents to a Sirius commercial. Now, she’s belting out classics with Bell’Aria. “We give these songs a modern twist, while preserving the spirit everyone loves. There are so many reasons the Italian culture is musical. We’re very expressive people, and music is simply another canvas for Italian art.”
Gabriel is a seasoned stage performer. He’s toured in the Broadway production of Camelot, and he’s currently enchanting audiences starring in Vegas! The Show. A born leading man, Gabriel adds a theatrical bombast to the music. In front of a crowd, he truly comes to life. “Bell’Aria brings all elements and styles of Italian music to the forefront.from the high tenor bravado to smooth crooning.”
Ultimately, Bell’Aria give listeners a true Italian experience. From their soaring takes on “Al Di La” and “Mamma” to the closing duet between Angelica and Christopher for “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” Bell’Aria present this musical legacy to the world in their own spellbinding way.
Christopher goes on, “This project is a chance to re-introduce the world to the joy of being Italian and Italian-American. Italian culture is really about that joy, the love of beauty and immersing oneself in emotive art.”
Jessica sums it up best, “We want listeners to walk away feeling uplifted. We want them to feel like their day or evening is a little happier because they’ve listened to our album. We want it to give the older audiences a feeling of nostalgia and provide the younger crowd an introduction. That way, the music will always live on.”
Bell’Aria keep traditions alive and start a few new ones in the process. . Rick Florino (August 2010)
