Choir of the Pope’s Diocese to Visit Morristown

The Choir of the Pope’s Diocese of Rome is set to make its U.S. debut in Trenton on June 4 and arrive in Morristown, at . The first U.S. tour also will take the Choir of the Pope’s Diocese of Rome to New York City, Newark, Brooklyn and Stamford.

The 47 member choir and 42 member orchestra is one of the most celebrated in the world and has toured extensively in Italy and throughout Europe. Monsignor Marco Frisina was a young priest when he created, in 1984,  a choir that included singers from all over Rome. The choir is in residence at the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

“It’s a superb church, a very special place. It’s considered the mother of all other Catholic churches,” Daniela Puglielli told Patch. “What’s distinctive is that the Pope is the Bishop there, that’s how important it is.”

Today, Frisina is an acclaimed composer and director of the Choir. The Choir of the Pope’s Diocese of Rome has performed at the Beatification Ceremony of St. Theresa of Calcutta, the funeral of Pope John Paul II, and most recently, at the Beatification Ceremony of Pope John Paul II.

New Jersey resident Larry Paragano was the driving force behind the tour when he saw the choir perform in Italy.

“The choir and Monsignor were in the Campania region, a special little piazza as we say...There was one Americano, an American of Italian descent, there among the public,” Puglielli said. “They ended up at the same restaurant and of course, he said “You have to come to America!””

The program the Choir will perform in Stamford, "Journey in Italy," will include sacred music, but also Italian music from the 1930s through 1950s. 

“At that time there was not as much communication between the countries, some you know — like “O Sole Mio” and “Volare” — but others are more unknown,” Puglielli said.

The U.S. tour is both an homage to Pope John Paul II and a celebration of the 150 anniversary of the unification of Italy.

“Of course, Italy’s history goes back thousands of years, but this is the whole boot,” Puglielli laughed.

Puglielli had the opportunity to hear the choir when they visited her hometown in Italy while she was there over the holidays. She was blown away by Frisina's work and by the calibre of their performance.

“[Frisina’s] so charismatic,” she said. “He explains the pieces so you really understand. What’s special is to hear how they blend so well together.”