Feb. 7 Vocal Recital to Honor Performer’s First Teacher

When Marisa Arzillo takes the stage on Friday, Feb. 7, it will be in honor of her first voice teacher, her mother, who passed away last week due to complications from a stroke.

Arzillo, an adjunct professor of voice and director of Opera Workshop, will perform a solo recital of some of her mother’s favorite songs, including works by Mozart, Georges Bizet, Joseph Marx and Henri Duparc. The recital, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 8 p.m. in the Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values.

Arzillo said her mother was a semi-professional singer — “she sang with numerous companies including the Metropolitan Opera Studio” — before ending her career to raise a family.

“She loved to sing, but found her greatest joy was watching her children perform on stage,” said Arzillo. “She raised five children, all who have performed as singers and instrumentalists.”

A soprano, Arzillo has performed with the St. Petersburg Opera Company, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, the Florida Orchestra, the Florimezzo Orchestra, the Rutgers Symphony Orchestra, the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay and Walt Disney World. She has also performed throughout Europe in opera and concerts in Germany, Italy and Spain.

“I will miss her more than words can say, but her love and talent will always be with me,” said Arzillo.

For more information, contact Alicia Gonzalez at agonzalez@ut.edu or (813) 253-6212.