It’s a good thing Christmas carols are timeless.
San Jose tenor Pasquale Esposito produced his latest PBS special and recording in his native Italy in January 2020, two months before the pandemic postponed all live concerts. So the project was put on ice last winter — and is making its debut this holiday season.
“In the Spirit of Christmas,” which has already premiered on KQED, will be performed live at 8 p.m. Saturday at San Jose’s Montgomery Theater.
For the TV special, the historic Teatro Politeama in Esposito’s hometown of Naples was the setting, and he was accompanied by the Orchestra Talenti Napoletani.
For this local concert, Esposito has chosen to partner with musicians from his alma mater. The San Jose State University Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Fred Cohen, director of the university’s School of Music and Dance.
The set list spans the centuries and the continents. Esposito, who got his start singing in church as a boy, will perform Italian classics such as “Gesu Bambino” and an “Ave Maria Medley” as well as best-loved American carols from over the years, including “O Holy Night” and “White Christmas.”
“‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ is definitely one of my favorites. It has a special meaning for me,” he said, because he and his family will indeed be home in Italy to celebrate Christmas with his relatives this season after having to miss seeing them last year.
“In the Spirit of Christmas” is the fourth public TV special for Esposito, who immigrated to the United States in 1998 and earned a music degree at SJSU while singing in local Italian restaurants.
He burst onto the public television scene in 2015 with his tribute to Naples’ hometown hero, “Pasquale Esposito Celebrates Enrico Caruso,” then followed that up with a love letter to Italy’s piazzas in 2018 and “Il Tempo,” a collection of personal favorites. In 2022, he’ll embark on an “Il Tempo” concert tour.
A portion of the proceeds from Saturday’s concert and CD sales will benefit the Notable Music and Arts Organization, Esposito’s nonprofit that offers music lessons to underserved Bay Area students.
Details: 8 p.m. Saturday at the Montgomery Theater, 271 S. Market St., San Jose. Tickets, $55-$85, available at PasqualeEsposito.com or by calling 408-528-6308.
Source: www.mercurynews.com