MARCO DI SAPIA - "Good Evening Miss"

The singer Marco Di Sapia, originally from Rome and a member of the Vienna Volksoper ensemble, along with the Joe Hofbauer Quintet, presents a selection of the most legendary songs by the Italian singer Fred Buscaglione from the 1950s during their joint concert evening "Buonasera Signorina." With his charming, slightly rebellious style, Fred Buscaglione became very popular in Italy during the 1950s. His music combined elements of jazz, swing, and blues, characterized by vibrant instrumentation often accompanied by brass and jazzy arrangements. His lyrics humorously mock the North American Italian gangster world, infused with a wink and a healthy dose of self-irony. The themes of his songs often revolve around love and loss, but also embody the zest for life and hedonistic lifestyle that he himself represented.

As a German-Italian singer, Marco Di Sapia will guide the evening, providing a brief German description of the work before each song and highlighting the most important and amusing aspects of each piece. A bold and refreshing mix of various genres, reflecting the lively atmosphere of the 1950s, can be expected during the concert evening. With his unique stage presence, Marco Di Sapia knows how to win over the audience, ensuring a thoroughly entertaining night.

Excerpts from the program:

Teresa non sparare, Eri piccola cosí, Buonasera signorina, Che notte quella notte, Guarda che luna, I found my love in Portofino,... and many more.

Marco Di Sapia

Since September 2013, the baritone from Rome has been a permanent member of the Vienna Volksoper ensemble. Since his house debut in 2009, he has appeared in productions such as The Merry Widow, The Magic Flute, Sweeney Todd, and Fiddler on the Roof.

In addition to his performances at the Vienna Volksoper, Marco Di Sapia has established himself in recent years with a diverse repertoire in the international theater scene. Guest performances have taken him to San Carlo Napoli, the Opéra du Champs Elysée in Paris, the State Theatre of Kassel, as well as the Bregenz Festival and the St. Margarethen Opera Festival.

He made his stage debut in Candide (Bernstein) in 2000 with the New Opera Vienna, where he subsequently performed in numerous contemporary roles. Marco Di Sapia was born in Genoa and grew up in Rome, where he graduated from the German School of Rome. He studied acting in the Italian capital and singing in Vienna at the current MUK and MDW Vienna.

Joe Hofbauer Quintet

Born in Vienna, Joe Hofbauer began playing the trumpet at the age of 12. Just a year later, he was accepted into the Vienna Music Academy. He completed his studies under Carole Dawn Reinhart and later continued his education with Maurice André.

In addition to his classical work, he has frequently performed in the jazz genre. By the age of 14, he had his own Dixieland band. He has been and continues to be a trumpeter in several well-known big bands, such as Manfred Stoppacher BB, Swing Time Big Band, Orchestra Robert Opratko, and Vienna Big Band Machine. For two years, Joe Hofbauer was the trumpeter in an original Mariachi combo.

He has participated in numerous studio sessions for films and advertisements, collaborating with artists such as Hannes Kottek, Andy Haderer, Bumi Fian, Harry Sokal, Aaron Wonesch, Lee Harper, Bobby Dodge, Hans Salomon, Thomas Faulhammer, and Martin Fuss. He has made numerous appearances in jazz clubs, at dance events, and festivals such as the Jazz Summit 1986 in Hollabrunn.

For 25 years, Joe Hofbauer was the trumpeter for the Broadway Band before embarking on new paths in dance music with his own quintet in 2009 after over 500 joint performances.

Program duration: 60 to 70 minutes without intermission.