The Ferguson Center for the Arts at Christopher Newport University

CNU student Anthony Colosimo shares concert stage
with famed Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli

 

News Release - October 25, 2005
contact:
Lori Jacobs
lori.jacobs@cnu.edu
(757) 594-7961

Andrea Bocelli and Anthony Colosimo
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli stands with CNU senior Anthony Colosimo after the scholarship presentation. (Photo by Barbara Lombardi)

(NEWPORT NEWS, Va.) — Anthony Colosimo, an Arlington, Va., native and senior at Christopher Newport University, had the rare opportunity to sing at a sold-out concert with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli on Oct. 20 at the Ferguson Center for the Arts at CNU.

Colosimo received the 2005 Scholarship from the National Italian American Foundation. Bocelli, a friend of the foundation, presented Colosimo with the scholarship on Oct. 19, and invited him to perform during Bocelli’s concert the following evening to an audience of 1,700.

“Bocelli asked me what I could sing. “One of the selections on Bocelli’s program was a popular Italian song called “La Serenata,” which I had sung at my senior recital.” Colosimo said. “I feel so fortunate to be a student at CNU and to have been given this amazing opportunity.” During Colosimo’s performance, Bocelli remained at his side and applauded the young tenor, as did more than 100 of Colosimo’s fellow students and 1,600 patrons.

“This is a great example of the remarkable opportunities that the Ferguson Center for the Arts provides our students,” said CNU President Paul Trible. “To share the stage with Andrea Bocelli – one of the world’s most celebrated tenors – is truly an experience of a lifetime. We are thrilled that Mr. Bocelli’s generosity enabled us to share Anthony’s talent in such a unique and memorable way.”

Colosimo began singing at age 8 in "The Singing Capitol Chorus," a barber shop ensemble conducted by his father Bill Colosimo. He is also a current member of the award-winning college barber shop quartet called "Iguanas in Flight." Colosimo plans to return to CNU in the fall to pursue a master’s degree in music education. His career goal is to teach music in the public school system.

Christopher Newport University is a four-year public university in Newport News, Virginia. CNU enrolls 4,800 students in programs through its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the School of Business and offers great teaching, small classes and an emphasis on leadership, civic engagement and honor. Visit us at www.cnu.edu.

The Ferguson Center for the Arts at CNU is an important cultural beacon, attracting world-class performers. The Center was designed by the New York architectural firm of Pei Cobb Freed and Partners, the creative force behind many of the world’s most celebrated buildings, including the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris, the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and Hong Kong’s Bank of China building. http://fergusoncenter.cnu.edu