Three accessible programs of wide appeal


A Night at the Opera
American lyric coloratura soprano Diane Penning sings well-loved opera arias, including works from "Phantom of the Opera" and "Porgy and Bess," accompanied by American pianist Paul Bisaccia.

Unforgettable Broadway
Program Selections from Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Phantom of the Opera" and "Evita," Leonard Bernstein's "West Side Story" and "Candide," Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific," "The King and I," "The Sound of Music," "Carousel," from Cole Porter's "Anything Goes," from Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your gun," from "Camelot," "My Fair Lady," "Hello Dolly" and many other shows to remember.

Christmas Remembered
cherished favorites of Christmas past

"Unforgettable Broadway was a great success! Paul Bisaccia played with virtuosity and flare. His "Rhapsody in Blue" had so much color, finesse, and control you almost got the impression it was his own improvisation. Diane Penning was stunning as well. It is rare to hear such a natural gift that has been so carefully cultivated. Each of them complimented the other from the first note to the thunderous standing ovation at the end of the concert. You have in Diane and Paul the perfect combination of two great artists who are great people, too. They couldn't have been more gracious. It was a pleasure to host them."
(Peter Kurdziel, St. Robert of Newminster Parish, Ada MI, presenter, 2007)

PENNING "Stunning coloratura voice...in this Bernstein song, which is
truly operatic and full of tricky vocal acrobatics, Penning was quite
outstanding." (Kalamazoo Gazette MI)

PENNING "The astounding coloratura of Penning met the demands of the
role of Christine...Her seeming ease in the demanding cadenza in
'Think of Me' and the extensive range needed for Phantom of the Opera
was silvery and thrilling." (Lafayette Courier IN)

BISACCIA "A marvelous pianist who also enjoys being a showman."
(Tribune Review, Pittsburgh)

BISACCIA "A magical evening which just got better and
better...completely passionate in his performance."
(The Barrie Examiner, Ontario)

Diane Penning's ravishing coloratura has brought her fans and fame in oratorio, opera, pops, and musical theater. She has performed with orchestras in many states and in Europe and toured widely in soprano and pianist duos. She now teams up with American pianist Paul Bisaccia in a show of immediate appeal, "A Night at the Opera," which includes songs from "Phantom of the Opera" and "Porgy and Bess."

She has performed Rodgers & Hammerstein in Chicago with Richard Hayman, and has performed the lead soprano roles in "Candide, "The Music Man, "She Loves Me," "Green Eggs & Ham," and "West Side Story." Her discography includes "Christmas Festival" with the Czeck National Orchestra in Prague, and "Phantom Phantasy" with the Grand Rapids
Symphony. Her orchestral pops work has frequently centered on Gershwin songs. She studied voice at Western Michigan University and the University of Michigan, has been a finalist in several opera competitions, and has done extensive oratorio work.

Paul Bisaccia is a charismatic performer who has performed around the country and around the world. Paul's first public television special, which has aired all over the country, was recently dubbed in Mandarin Chinese for broadcast in China, and he is featured in the Ric Burns PBS television series "New York", has been featured on NPR's "Performance Today," and is the most requested pianist on Beethoven.Com "the world's classical radio station."

"Thank you for providing us with the great show 'Unforgettable Broadway.' Both Paul and Diane were outstanding performers who immediately established rapport with their audience [and] brought thunderous applause from the audience. Our technical staff found working with Diane and Paul a delightful change from some of the temperamental artists we have booked from other agencies. They are down-to-earth, nice people who went out of their way to make the sound and lighting rehearsal a technical pleasure." (Sharon Stoleson, Temple Theatre, Viroqua WI, presenter, 2007)

"What a great concert Diane Penning and Paul Bisaccia presented. It was one of the most well-received concerts we've had in a long time-probably since the last time Paul performed here. the audience jumped to their feet when Paul finished 'Rhapsody in Blue.' Diane Penning is a physically, vocally, and personally beautiful person who endeared herself to the audience immediately. Everyone loved 'Unforgettable Broadway.'" (Tim Koch, Trinity Lutheran church, Camp Hill PA, presenter, 2007)