Restaurant presents an evening of opera
BY JESSICA SMITH
Staff Writer

Annamaria Stefanelli

MONROE - Miss "The Sopranos"? Then, come out for a true Italian experience with a true soprano at Villa Laura Ristorante in Monroe.

Owner Dominic Lotito has teamed with the Academy of Music on Main Street in Spotswood to present "An Evening of Opera" to the public Saturday.

"I want to keep the Italian roots alive," Lotito said. "What's the best way to keep the Italian roots alive? Food and music."

The evening will feature professional opera singers Annamaria Stefanelli, lyric soprano, and Rory Angelicola, lyric tenor. Paul Undreiner will provide accompaniment on the piano. Their performance will include opera favorites.

"It's very passionate, very expressive ... and that's what I give to my audiences," Stefanelli said.

A resident of Roseland, Stefanelli has been singing opera for close to 15 years. She has performed for the New Jersey Opera Guild, as well as at Carnegie Hall, the Central Park Concert Series and Liberty State Park Concert Series. She teaches voice and piano at the Academy of Music on Main Street in Spotswood and has a private studio in Roseland.

"Part of what I'm about is just bringing this to people," the first-generation Italian American said. "There is a very intellectual aspect of opera, but there's a very visceral aspect, too ... so really, you can experience it on so many different levels."

As part of her efforts to bring opera to the masses, Stefanelli does seminars at schools in which she performs and teaches children and teens about the craft.

"They see what the human body can do," Stefanelli said. "It's very exciting for them. And then there's that whole mystique because I come in with a gown and jewels."

Angelicola's credits include roles in "Otello," "Madama Butterfly," "Carmen," "La Traviata," "Faust," "Tosca," "Rigoletto" and "I Pagliacci." He also has a collection of musical theater roles in his repertoire, including "Carousel," "Showboat," "South Pacific," "Oklahoma" and "Kismet."

Angelicola is also a faculty member at the Academy of Music on Main Street.

Both Stefanelli and Angelicola perform annually at the Mercer County Italian-American Festival.

"This event is just part of our ongoing mission to bring quality cultural entertainment to our community," said Melody Blasenheim, director of the Academy of Music on Main Street. "Bringing this kind of entertainment to the area reinforces my belief that one need not go into New York City to experience quality entertainment events, as well as a top quality restaurant such as Villa Laura."

Lotito came from Italy about 15 years ago, bringing his experience in authentic Italian cuisine with him. He opened Villa Laura almost two years ago, and said he has transformed it to represent a "little piece of Italy."

"You feel like, really, you are in Italy," Lotito said. "I want everybody to see this place."

Though the 7:45 p.m. show is sold out, tickets for the 5:30 p.m. seating and performance are still available. A prix fixe menu will be served, with three choices of appetizers, a garden salad, three choices of entree including veal chicken or fish, and beverages and dessert. Lotito said patrons are welcome to bring wine.

"I'm proud to be Italian," Lotito said. "I love Italian opera, so when I met Annamaria Stefanelli, I was very happy. She's fabulous. When she started to sing, I got goose bumps right away."

Established in 1992, the Academy of Music offers music education to students of all ages. Instruction of a large range of musical instruments is taught, along with vocal training. A program called Kindermusik brings music to youngsters, from infants to the age of 6. Most recently, the school's children's choir, percussion ensemble and string orchestra performed at the Zimmerli art museum in New Brunswick.

Tickets for dinner and the performance are $45 each. They may be purchased by calling (609) 918-1373. Villa Laura Ristorante is located at 365 Spotswood-Englishtown Road in Monroe.