Sinfonietta Bel Canto to host New Year’s Day concert in Downers Grove

The Sinfonietta Bel Canto will perform a special New Year’s Day and Fundraising Concert at 3 p.m. Jan. 1 at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Downers Grove.

Under the master baton of maestro Dan Pasquale D’Andrea, this year’s program brings audiences an array of vocal and instrumental solos. In addition, Sinfonietta Bel Canto continues its theme of celebrating composer Gustav Holst’s 150th anniversary, performing the “March” from A Moorside Suite and “Danse Rustique” and “Carnival” from Suite de Ballet op. 10.

The benefit concert raises needed funding for the orchestra’s operational expenses, its ambitious programing of opera and symphony, as well as a very special concerto and voice competition, according to a news release.

Ticket information is at https://sinfoniettabelcanto.org or call 630-384-5007.

Parking is free and there is ample intimate seating.

The New Year’s Day gala will feature beloved family favorites to bring in the new year. These include Johann Strauss Sr.’s “Radetzky March,” Johann Strauss Jr.’s “The Beautiful Blue Danube Waltzes” and the classic “Auld Lang Syne.”

Also featured on the program are operatic and instrumental soloists. These include Derek Buckley singing “La donna è mobile La donna” from Verdi’s Rigoletto, Diana Monacelli singing “Vedrai carino” from Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Carolyn Stopka singing “Der Hölle Rache Dich” from Wagner’s Tannhauser, Dana Vetter singing “Der Holle Rache” from Mozart’s Magic Flute and Kristin Weed singing “Faites-lui mes aveux” from Gounod’s Faust. Instrumental soloists include Jennifer Kumar on the cello performing “Silent Woods” op. 68 by Dvorak, Aani Borrego on violin performing “Vorspiel” from Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 and Aaron Alexander on horn performing Strauss’ Concerto No. 1 first movement.

The program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, National Endowment for the Arts and the Arts DuPage a DuPage Foundation Initiative.