Festival Brings Italian Night to Morgan Park!

Joseph A. Gallo, president of Loggia Glen Cove 1016, has been working with the Morgan Park Summer Music Festival and the festival’s chairman, Tom Suozzi, in getting the word out about the festival’s upcoming Italian Night to be held in Morgan Park on Sunday, July 23rd. One of the North Shore’s favorite food trucks, Pizza Company 7, will be in the park serving individual pizzas starting at 6 pm and the concert starts at 7 pm.

“We could not be more excited about Morgan Park Summer Musical Festival bringing this show to Morgan Park,” said President Gallo. “As most know, we have a large Italian population in this region, and our lodge, the very first on Long Island, wholeheartedly supports and appreciates the festival’s efforts in bringing this concert to the North Shore. We’re expecting a big turnout!”

Gallo, further expressed, “I know the first two performers, Claudio Mattioli and Massimiliano Barbolini, and can attest that they will deliver an evening of authentic classic Italian music. Also, I have heard recordings of jazz vocalist Vanessa Racci, who will be performing the second half of the evening, and I can’t wait to hear her in person.”

“While the concert doesn’t start until 7 pm, we’re expecting many of our regular attendees and new audience members will want to arrive at 6 pm to enjoy wood-fired pizza provided by the North Shore’s favorite Italian food truck - Pizza Company 7,” said Chairman Tom Suozzi. “We are trying something new by bringing in John Zozzaro, Nick Pedone, and their Pizza Company 7 to sell pizzas before and during the concert, which are being offered at a great price. So, come on down and have a great dinner followed by a concert including classic “fun opera,” and the music made famous by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Connie Francis and other Italian Americans. It will be a night of family fun with an Italian twist!”

Those attending the concert will enjoy a double bill of Italian classics and the best of jazz made famous by many of our Italian American icons of the stage and screen. The program will open with bass-baritone Claudio Mattioli and tenor Massimiliano Barbolini presenting classics by Rossini, Puccini, Verdi and others. The second portion of the evening will feature Vanessa Racci, a jazz and cabaret singer with a passion for retro jazz and music made famous by Italian Americans.

“There is such great value when children of all ages are exposed to the full spectrum of cultures and the arts - this makes our society rich,” said former Glen Cove School District Assistant Superintendent Dr. Michael Israel, and newcomer to the festival’s Advisory Council. “Yes, those of Italian ancestry are going to have a terrific night, but this concert also offers a wonderful opportunity for all of us to celebrate the music and heritage of Italy. My family and I are planning to arrive early and I know quite a few of our friends who are doing the same. Should be a fun night.”

All concerts are held at Morgan Memorial Park in Glen Cove, overlooking the harbor at Germaine Street between Landing Road and McLoughlin Street. The free concerts begin at 7 pm.

For this Sunday’s concert, Pizza Company 7 will begin serving their famous wood-fired pizzas starting at 6 pm and will offer individual pies - Margherita, New York style, pepperoni, pesto, and white - at a special price of $12 each.

This family fun celebration of Italian music, food, and fun is not to be missed.

Morgan Park Summer Music Festival is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization. The high-caliber professional concerts offered each summer are free to the public and are completely funded through generous donations from businesses and individuals. Taxpayer money is not requested nor received to fund these seasons of family entertainment. To see a listing of the entire season and explore support opportunities visit www.www.morganparkmusic.org.