The above video is a wonderful concert of the 23rd Annual Christmas Concert which was held on December 19, 2020. Mary Mancini and Mario Tacca share, “Recorded in the beautiful Adoration Chapel at Church of the Assumption in Peekskill, we bring you our annual traditional Christmas Concert. Special guests are Ray Blue on saxophone and David Winograd on bass who lend their musical talents to make this performance extra special. Although the concert couldn’t be held in person this year, we are pleased to bring you this performance that you can enjoy, over and over, in the comfort of your home.This performance is dedicated in loving memory to our dear friend and colleague, musician and conductor, Vincent Lionti. Our sincerest thanks to our Technical Staff, Jim Brooks and Joe Pisano, for recording our concert in the beautiful Adoration Chapel at Assumption Church. We wish you all a blessed Christmas filled with hope, peace, joy and the best of health for you and your families!”

Selections included:
Mary’s Little Boy Child – 2:48
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear – 7:33
Hallelujah – 12:06
Tu Scende Dalle Stelle – 17:48
Christmas Polka – 22:04
Christmas Song – 25:14
We Need a Little Christmas Medley – 30:43
What God Wants for Christmas – 38:31
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – 43:32
Mary Did You Know – 45:33
Believe – 50:32
Feliz Navidad – 55:00
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – 59:32
Sleigh Ride – 1:09:07
O Holy Night – 1:13:07
Silent Night – 1:18:15
Happy Birthday to You Our Lord – 1:27:52

Mario Tacca, on the Board of Directors of the AAA, was born in Italy. During his childhood, his family moved to the Alsace Lorraine region of France where he began his musical studies. This is where his love and intense desire to play the accordion began. He loved the sound! He would pick up the accordion and imitate some of the songs his mother used to sing. The desire and love never diminished, despite having to walk three miles weekly to his teacher with his instrument strapped to his back!

While in France, he was the winner of many regional and national accordion competitions. He went on to become a world champion, winning the World Cup of Italy, the Grand Prix of Paris, the US National Competition and the International Accordion competition held at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Mario Tacca dazzles audiences across the US and around the world with his outstanding virtuosity and his exciting interpretations of international music, the classics and pop.

Mario has recently been seen on MTV in a commercial for a pilot Italian Food program. Also, he was seen on the Food Network in a commercial for “Throwdown with Bobby Flay.” His latest recording, “Journey Through the Classics” features great melodies from the Classic Repertoire. He is available for lessons on accordion and piano.

Internationally acclaimed vocal artist Mary Mancini has been featured in the New York Times, the Forth Worth Star-Telegram, and the Journal News and has performed in a variety of venues around the world. Able to sing in eight different languages, Mary draws from a deep repertory reservoir. She is adept at pop, show tunes, operatic arias, and sacred music and has received worldwide acclaim. Le Republicain Lorrain, in Alsace-Lorraine, France, writes that the “purity of her voice, the ease with which she interpreted the most difficult pieces showed that she is a great artist.” The Spring City Evening News in Kunming, China, writes that “audiences were greatly impressed by Mary Mancini’s singing ability…Through her music, we see her heart is smiling.”

Mary has headlined numerous concert halls and festivals in North America, Europe, and China. She has performed at the Garden State Arts Center, Resorts International Casino Hotel, Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, and Mohegan Sun Resort Casino in CT. As a dynamic and popular performing duo, they have completed two concert tours of China. As guests of the China Ministry of Culture, they toured five cities in three weeks and performed with three symphony orchestras. Joining them on their tour was highly acclaimed Chinese tenor, Douglas Song. In addition to performing with the Symphony Orchestras, some of the most memorable moments included a performance held at the 1600 seat True Color Jazz Supper Club in the booming city of Shenzhen and in the 3500 seat Golden Opera House.

In lieu of online ticket sales, a free-will donation will be gratefully accepted. Proceeds will benefit the ongoing Assumption Organ Restoration Fund. To donate by check: Checks must be made payable to Gioia Productions, with “Assumption Organ Restoration” noted in the subject line. Mail your check to Gioia Productions, P.O. Box 401, Crompond, NY 10517. OR To donate by credit card: Contact Gioia Productions at 914-737-8872 or manciniandtacca@gmail.com to process your donation.

Mary and Mario said, “We missed seeing all of you in person at our 23rd Annual Christmas Concert. But we are so grateful to be able to bring our music into your homes virtually! We hope you had a very blessed Christmas!”

For further information: manciniandtacca@gmail.com