Christmas Concert

Experience the magic of Christmas and let yourself be moved by traditional Christmas songs and melodies by W. A. Mozart, F. Mendelssohn and G. F. Haendel, interpreted by the superb voices of soprano Anastasiia Demchenko and tenor Francesco Fortes. We look forward to seeing you for this exciting concert in the magnificent hall of the St. Paul's within the Walls Church in the heart of the Eternal City.

Soprano, Tenor, string quartet and piano

First violin: Elvin Dhimitri
Soprano: Anastasiia Demchenko
Tenor: Francesco Fortes

Elvin Dhimitri
First violin of Opera and Lyric, has been recognized as an artist who manages to blend passionate energy and intense communication skills. In 1992 he was appointed first violin of the Bilkent Youth International Symphony Orchestra. He has performed within the Symphony Orchestra of the Ente Luglio Musicale Trapanese, the New Scarlatti Symphony Orchestra of Naples and the Toscanini Philharmonic of Parma, among others. In 1997 he was appointed first violin of the Rome Philharmonic Orchestra and, starting from the same year, he is a member of the Symphony Orchestra of Rome and Lazio.

Anastasiia Demchenko
With an incredible voice and strong ability to interpret, Anastasiia graduated as a singer at the “S. V. Rachmaninov” Conservatory in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. She successfully completed her studies at the Accademia d’Arte Lirica in Osimo and the International Opera Studio in Pesaro (Italy). She has performed on various stages both in Italy and abroad, making her debut in important roles such as Zerlina in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Annina and Flora in Verdi’s La Traviata, and Musetta in Puccini’s La Bohème, performed at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. Winner of numerous international competitions , she excelled receiving the “Best Female Voice” Award at the 1st International Opera Competition in Colleferro, First Prize at the 15th International Music Competition “Città di Pesaro,” and the Absolute First Prize at the International Music Competition “Città di Fasano.”
She has also attended masterclasses with world-renowned artists such as Mario Melani, Ernesto Palacio, Raina Kabaivanska, William Matteuzzi, and Alla Simoni. Anastasiia actively participates in concert seasons in Italy and abroad, performing in operas, concerts, and gala events, collaborating with prestigious orchestras and international festival.

Francesco Fortes
Endowed with a powerful voice, wide vocal range, and expressive lyricism, he is recognized today as one of the most talented artists on the Italian lyric scene. Fortes began his musical studies under Sabatino Raia and Gianni Desideri, later refining his training with Danilo Rigosa and Donata D’Annunzio Lombardi, and attending advanced masterclasses with Renata Scotto at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome. He made his successful debut in important Italian theatres in the roles as Rodolfo (La Bohème), Pinkerton (Madama Butterfly), Enrico Settebellizze (Napoli Milionaria), Canio (I Pagliacci), Calaf (Turandot), Radamès (Aida), Alfredo Germont (La Traviata), and the Duke of Mantua (Rigoletto), performing at prestigious venues such as Teatro San Carlo
in Naples, Teatro Comunale in Bologna, Teatro Goldoni in Livorno, Teatro Verdi in Pisa, Teatro del Giglio in Lucca, Teatro Pergolesi Spontini in Jesi, Teatro Argentina and Teatro Eliseo in Rome.
In 2016 he participated in the tour ""Italy, a dream"" with tenor Vittorio Grigolo. In February 2015, he took part in a theater tour in Russia playing the role of Mario Pagano for the premiere of A. D'Alessandro's opera Luisa Sanfelice, performing as tenor soloist in Puccini's Messa di Gloria with conductor Valery Platanof (Ufa Opera Theater, Russia). In October 2012, he is soloist in Vivaldi's Magnificat for solos, choir and orchestra RV 610, organized by the Teatro San Carlo in Naples for the event "Il San Carlo nelle Chiese.  He carries out intensè concert activity in Italy and abroad (Kiel, Zurich, London, Mindelo - Cape Verde). 
He has been a winner in several singing competitions including second prize and special prize as best male voice "Luciano Pavarotti" at the 19th edition of the "Premio Lirico Internazionale Umberto Giordano" in Foggia, third prize at the 5th International Opera Competition "Voci dal Mediterraneo" in Syracuse, second prize at the 12th International Leopoldo Mugnone Competition "Città di Caserta" and First Prize overall at the 7th European Young Musicians Competition "Luigi Denza" - Castellammare di Stabia. He was also a finalist in the 2012 "Francesco Albanese" International Opera Singing Competition and the 4th "Giacomo Puccini International Competition" in Torre del Lago.

Program and cast

BREAK 10 minutes

FIRST TIME

WOLFANG AMEDEUS MOZART - Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

Adeste Fideles - traditional music

ALFONSO MARIA DE’ LIGUORI - Tu scendi dalle stelle

Noel - traditional music

PACHELBEL - Canone (instrumental)

ALFONSO MARIA DE’ LIGUORI - Fermarono i cieli

ADOLPHE ADAM - Minuit Chrétien

CACCINI - Ave Maria

GEORG FRIEDRICH HÄNDEL - Water

FRANÇOIS CUPERIN - In Notte Placida

FELIX MENDELSSOHN - Hark The Herald Angels Sing

SECOND TIME

JOHANN STRAUSS - Sul Bel Danubio Blu

FRANZ XAVER GRUBER - Silent Night

IRVING BERLIN - White Christmas

JOHN LENNON - War Is Over

JULE STYNE - Let It Snow

ARCANGELO CORELLI - Pastorale

Angeli Delle Campagne - traditional music

JAMES LORD PIERPONT - Jingle Bells

JOHANN STRAUSS - Radetzky March

Soprano, Tenor, string quartet and piano