1) Can you tell us a little bit about where you are from ?
I came from a beautiful region called Puglia, on the south-eastern coast of Italy. It is often called not just the “heel” of Italy, as it represents the heel of the “boot”, but also, lovingly and figuratively – the soul of the country. It is a beautiful region, very sunny and with an incredible history.
2) Were you born to Sing ?
It’s hard to say if I was born to sing! I grew up in love with the Classic Music, which I discovered at a very early age. I have actually graduated in clarinet, but I fell completely and utterly in love with opera and voice in 1996. I remember that day like it was yesterday. The day that changed my life. I was with my family, celebrating their 25th anniversary of matrimony when around 5:58pm, while I was having a piece from the anniversary cake, the DJ played a song (the one that I still consider one of my favorites), called “Un’Amore così grande”, performed by the famous tenor of the XX Century, Mario del Monaco. At that moment something transformed within me – I wanted to sing like that, I wanted to express my love and my feelings in the same passionate, forceful way!
3) What brought you to New York?
I believed that New York was the right place to fulfill my dreams. Of course, it is very hard to make your way here, but if you have strong will, you can do that. The first occasion for me to come to New York presented itself when I was invited to perform as Italian Artist at a United Nations Concert on December 14, 2007. That concert gave me lots of visibility and was really a great achievement for my future carrier here in US.
4) Who is your role model?
Mario Lanza – the complete artist with an amazing voice, great looks, strong character, who excelled equally in operatic roles as well as acting in Hollywood, enchanting audiences on Broadway…
5) Please tell us about your new alliance with the New York Choral Society.
In the past year I was involved into and honored to support the United Nations Academic Impact, a UN Initiative launched by Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, that aligns institutions of higher education, scholarships and research with the United Nations and with each other. The New York Choral Society and its “Mini-Maestro” program resonate very harmoniously with the principles of UNAI. This program enables New York City public school students and their parents to attend performances at Carnegie Hall at no cost to themselves. It’s a way for me to support the education of young students and facilitate their approach to classical music. I will also make a donation of $0.15 to the New York Choral Society’s Mini Maestro Program for each song sold from now until December 31, 2012.
6) Are you excited about the release of your new album ?
Very Much! It is my second album and the title was chosen after the famous song “The Impossible Dream”, a Broadway piece that became a very important one in my repertoire. In fact, it was chosen also as a background music for the Video that was realized for the celebration of the 1st anniversary of the United Nations Academic Impact. It is really a big achievement for me, because it includes not only very famous Italian Arias and Songs, like “Nessun Dorma” and “O Sole Mio”, but also very well known songs from the American Repertoire, like “The Impossible Dream”, “Maria” and “My Way”!
7) You are a heart throb, but married to the most Beautiful woman. How do you both cope with your fame and stay so down to earth ?
Our story is a very beautiful one. We are blessed and we are aware of it. I am also a proud Catholic and saying so, I mean that the value of the couple and family is very important to me, to us! Being in the show business is not easy, but prayers and faith help us and guide our steps during our journeys!
8) How does it feel to sing in front of thousands of people ?
At the beginning you feel terrified, but then you get used to it! Of course, there is no way that you can avoid emotions, but after a while you learn how to control them. But last September for example, was a completely different experience for me. When you sing in front of thousands of people in a theatre, it is rear that you can recognize the faces in the public, but at the Fashion Show held at the Waldorf Astoria I was in a different position. The lights were so bright and I could define every single face in the audience and I did also perform through parts of the runway show. I felt like a gladiator in the arena.
9) Are u the new Andre Bocelli?
I was always referred as the new Pavarotti, probably because of my name – Luciano. It’s hard for me to say if I will be the next Bocelli or Pavarotti. I know only that I am having the same trajectory here in US like they did, since both of them started their international carrier here in the US. Both of them have changed the way people look at Opera. Opera is more accessible to everyone and they were able to reach hundreds of millions of people. I can only wish to myself to be able to reach the same success.
10) What message would you like to give to the 50000 members of Society’s Choice?
First of all, I would like to thank all of them to take the time to read this article. Also, as already mentioned, I just launched my second Album called “The Impossible Dream”. There are 8 songs and each song costs $0.99. I intend to sell with the help of music lovers at least 30,000 songs, so that a large donation can be made to the New York Choral Society’s Mini Maestro Program and many students could have the possibility to discover the beauty of the classical and opera music. Your support is very important for me, for them! A song could make the difference. Hope to see all of you soon, perhaps in a next benefit concert that the Society Choice would like to organize and of course, invite me!
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* Visit these sites to find out more about Luciano! *
www.facebook.com/pages/Luciano-Lamonarca-The-Goodwill-Tenor/291686114209511
www.cdbaby.com/lucianolamonarca2
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lao788cjdno
www.youtube.com/lucianolamonarca
Complimenti Luciano per il tuo appassionato e costante impegno nel bel canto e nel campo della beneficenza che ti fà onore,comunque tutti noi pugliesi e penso anche tutti gli italiani nel mondo d’essere orgogliosi di te che rappresenta al meglio l’eccellenza pugliese e italiana a livello internazionale,da tutti noi un grazie di cuore.
Tommaso Chiarella
Great article Luciano I was in Palm Springs last week where Mario Lanza used to hang out! I will see if my book about Palm Springs Legends has it I stayed at the author’s!
Rafael