ANNIVERSARY GALA - National Italian American Foundation

The Sergio Franchi Music Foundation
and the Sergio Franchi NIAF Fund
—
Sergio Franchi was born in
Cremona, Italy, and came to
America in 1962 as a classical
tenor. He achieved his greatest
fame for his popular romantic
melodies and great Italian
classics. From 1962 until 1990,
Sergio became America’s most
loved romantic tenor and
performed to sold-out concert
halls from Broadway to Las Vegas. He recorded 29 albums
throughout his career and was best known for his memorable
performances on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Throughout his 28-year-long singing career, Mr. Franchi
was a dedicated supporter of both the Arts and charitable
organizations that valued his heritage, such as the Boys’
Towns of Italy and Columbus Citizen Foundation. For his
efforts, he was awarded the Michelangelo Award, which is
the highest award from Boys’ Towns of Italy. The Columbus
Citizens Foundation honored him as Grand Marshal of its
Columbus Day Parade in New York City. Most significantly,
Sergio was bestowed the distinguished rank of “Cavaliere”
in the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy. Sadly, Sergio
lost his battle with cancer in
1990, but his spirit lives on
through the Sergio Franchi
Music Foundation, under
the dedicated efforts of
his wife, Eva Franchi. In
1991, the National Italian
American Foundation
(NIAF) Gala gave a moment
of silence in honor of her late
Sergio Franchi performs in
his hometown of Cremona,
Italy, in 1964.
husband. Eva then turned
to the NIAF for guidance,
knowing Sergio’s love for
his Italian heritage would be preserved and honored by the
largest and well-respected Italian organization in America.
For the past 17 years, Sergio’s home in Stonington,
Connecticut, has hosted an annual “Let the Music Play”
concert held in his memory. Each year, the event has
been made possible through Eva’s work with the music
foundation to support a new generation of operatic and
romantic performers. The event benefits the Sergio Franchi
NIAF Fund, which presents educational awards to vocal and
music students, helping them to pursue their dreams so they
may continue to give to the world the very art form so loved
The Sergio Franchi Music Foundation’s 2011 “Let The
Music Play” concert in Stonington, Connecticut.
by the late romantic tenor. This year, the 17th annual concert
was held on Saturday, September 10, 2011, which once
again welcomed the return of approximately 4,000 faithful
attendees, who gave a standing ovation, and claimed this to
be Eva’s best concert ever!
Mrs. Franchi is proud to give a helping hand towards the
dreams of 24 deserving young artists and to fulfill the
heartfelt wishes of her beloved Sergio!
The 2011 Sergio Franchi Educational Scholarship
and Grant Award Recipients
Grant Winners:
James Valenti, Tenor
Michael Amante, Tenor
Alfio Bonanno, Crooner
Giada Valenti, Singer
Filippo Voltaggio, Balladaire
LaTonia Moore, Mezzo Soprano
Eric Margiore, Lyric Tenor
Jesus Garcia, Tenor
Lawrence Brokerick, Tenor
Lisa Wilson, Soprano
Ian DeNolfo, Tenor
Elizabeth DeTrejo, Soprano
Mauricio DeTrejo, Tenor
Jacqueline Ballarin, Soprano
Jose Paulo, Balladeer
Scholarship Winners:
Dane Cox, Tenor
Salvo Randazzo, Tenor
Cory Pesaturo, Accordian Musician
Kate Comstock, Jazz Singer
Jillian Caillouette, Singer
Tessa Steward, Singer
Jonathan Huber, Musician
Mirella Huber, Singer
Tess King, Singer
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The 2011 NIAF Gala