By: Plugstar Entertainment
In an era where music often leans toward the digital and disposable, award-winning singer, actress, and PBS host Cristina Fontanelli stands as a rare reminder of what artistry looks like when rooted in heritage, heart, and humanity. For more than 20 years, Fontanelli has brought opera, classical Italian music, and timeless vocal traditions to new audiences across the world, while simultaneously nurturing the next generation through her philanthropic work.
Fontanelli’s musical footprint spans continents. She has performed on the nation’s most revered stages, including Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, the Philadelphia Academy of Music, and Symphony Hall in Boston. Internationally, her operatic journey has taken her to the Hong Kong Opera, the Cairo Opera, and the Palm Beach Opera. On television, she is widely recognized for her work on PBS, where she hosted major specials featuring Andrea Bocelli, Il Volo, and Michael Bublé. Her voice and personality have also been featured on CBS, Bloomberg Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, and WOR Radio alongside Joe Piscopo.
But Cristina is not just a performer; she is a storyteller, communicator, and cultural ambassador. She sings in nine languages, seamlessly navigating Italian, French, Spanish, German, and more. Each performance is infused with context, humor, and vibrant improvisational energy. She is as comfortable engaging a young crowd at Carnegie Hall as she is commanding a room of high rollers in Atlantic City. Her unique ability to “hold” an audience, whether through opera, Broadway standards, or classic Neapolitan songs, sets her apart in an industry where many focus strictly on technical mastery.
Her acting career further amplifies her range. Cristina won Best Actress awards at both the Cutting Room International Film Festival and the Venus International Film Festival for her starring role in SANTINO, a project funded by the Russo Brothers through the National Italian American Foundation. On paper, her accolades are extensive, but what fuels them is her unwavering passion for service.
That passion comes to life through The Cristina Fontanelli Foundation, her 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving great music and supporting children through arts and community initiatives. The foundation’s flagship production, Christmas in Italy®, celebrates its 22nd year this season — an astonishing milestone in the world of independent musical productions.
This beloved holiday event returns on Friday, December 19, at 7 PM, and on Saturday, December 20, at 2 PM, at St. Jean Baptiste Church in Manhattan. Audiences can expect a heartwarming fusion of Italian Christmas classics, American holiday favorites, traditional instruments, dancers, youth choirs, and guest artists. In true Fontanelli fashion, the show blends world-class musicianship with spirited storytelling and community spirit. Every ticket is donated directly to children’s causes, and the concert is as impactful as it is entertaining.
“Music is good for the soul and even more powerful for children,” Cristina says. Over the years, she has placed hundreds of kids on major stages, giving many their first taste of professional performance. From Carnegie Hall to local churches, her mission has remained the same: “Give them confidence, exposure, and joy.”
Her career also includes performances at the White House, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Order Sons of Italy in America, an honor shared by Luciano Pavarotti, and collaborations with icons such as Tony Bennett. Her serenade for Mickey Rooney’s 90th birthday celebration even secured her a feature in Simon & Schuster’s The Life and Times of Mickey Rooney.
Cristina lives by two core principles: “Hold onto your dreams tenaciously though they be but a whisper on the breeze,” her own original quote, and Winston Churchill’s timeless advice, “Never, never, never give up.”
Looking ahead, Fontanelli envisions expanding her foundation’s reach, increasing youth arts opportunities, and returning to film and television projects that encourage unity and cultural appreciation.
For Cristina Fontanelli, the stage has never been about applause; it has always been about purpose. And as she continues to preserve traditions, empower young performers, and bring joy through music, her impact resonates far beyond the final note.
