Album Notes

“Tenor Franco Martorana has a very rare world-class voice.”
- Arrigo Pola, Luciano Pavarotti’s voice teacher

“Franco is one of the few tenors in the world who can interpret the songs of Francesco Paolo Tosti and Neapolitan songs as well as Bergonzi and Di Stefano.”
-Renowned Italian coach Ubaldo Gardini

“Franco Martorana has a world-class first rate voice. No one in the world sings Neapolitan songs as well as he.”
-Renowned coach Beaumont Glass

Native Italian Franco Martorana made his operatic debut as Alfredo in Johann Strauss' Die Fledermaus with Lincoln Opera and then sang Camille in The Merry Widow and Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly. Shortly after, he sang Pinkerton again in Germany to glowing reviews. With Lyric Opera of Chicago, Mr. Martorana sang the role of the Messenger in Aida and at the Opera Theatre of Humbach, Germany, the roles of Alfredo in La Traviata and Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana. He also recently sang the role of Alfredo in Bellissima Opera Productions’ La Traviata and Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly. He frequently performs with a group called The Other Three Tenors and just sang a Tribute to Luciano Pavarotti at the Arcada in St. Charles. For more info go to www.francomartorana.com

"As Violetta, Steyer sang with tonal beauty and dramatic conviction. Her legato was seamless and she was impressive at both ends of the vocal range - we were in tears at the end."
- WFMT's Andy Karzas

“A true artist, a beautiful woman with an exquisite voice and an enormous talent as an actress and interpreter.”
-Renowned coaches Beaumont and Evangeline Noel Glass

“A quintuple threat…with an international-calibre voice of size, warmth, roundness and color who uses it to reach an audience’s emotional core.”
-Director Carl Ratner

Christine Steyer was recently awarded the Founders' Award at the IX Altamura/Caruso International Voice Competition and 1st place in the National Opera Association Competition. She has been highly praised for her rich tone, superb artistry and charisma and was featured in a recent issue of Classical Singer magazine. In 2007 she made her Tulsa Opera debut as Frasquita in Carmen, performed the role of Abigail in The Crucible with Chamber Opera Chicago and Violetta in Bellissima Opera's La Traviata and sang on a Tribute to Gian Carlo Menotti directed by his son. This Spring she will return to Tulsa Opera to sing Pamina in The Magic Flute. She has performed roles with Lyric Opera of Chicago in Street Scene, Sweeney Todd, Cunning Little Vixen and Manon Lescaut. For more info go to www.christinesteyer.com

Pianist and conductor Jamie Johns is currently the resident Music Director at The Skylight, in Milwaukee, and a coach/accompanist with Florentine Opera. Conducting highlights include The Marriage of Figaro, Carmen, Romeo and Juliet, The Coronation of Poppea, and The Abduction from the Seraglio. Other companies that Jamie has worked for include Lyric Opera Cleveland, Orlando Opera, and Milwaukee Opera Theatre.

What's next for Christine and Franco...
In September of 2008, Sounds True will be releasing a CD called "Caroline Myss' Voices of the Sacred" to be distributed internationally. This CD will contain highlights of the world's most inspiring sacred music featuring the voices of Franco Martorana, Christine Steyer, bass Patrick Blackwell, and mezzo-soprano Dominique Frigo, accompaniment by Ed Zelnis.
We are also excited to announce that we will be appearing a beautiful short film, "The Toy Chest", which will serve as a wonderful introduction to the world of classical singing for all ages. The film set to be released in '09 will be narrated by Paul Geiger, with soundtrack by Christine Steyer and Franco Martorana and cameo appearances by renowned opera coaches Beaumont and Evangline Glass and master woodworker Thomas Wisshack.