Cristina F. has become a well-known personality through her recordings, her appearances on TV, radio, in concert, nightclubs, and opera, and through her acting debut on network television. Her most recent accomplishment is as PBS Host for Andrea Bocelli’s historic free concert in Central Park also starring Celine Dion, David Foster and Tony Bennett, for the Vienna Boys Choir special and will once again join PBS as host for the 2012 Il Volo special. She is the voice of Domino’s Pizza on their current national radio commercial, is the voice of Nonna on the belovedPBS TV Chef Lidia Bastianich’s 2010Christmas special (in over 300 PBS outlets across the U.S.) and has appeared on CBS Weekend in interview/performance/co-hosting roles for the past 2 years. Cristina’s beautiful soprano voice has taken her to the White House as part of President Clinton’s holiday celebration and on January 20, 2005 Cristina was invited to open the ceremonies at the Stars and Stripes Inaugural Ball for President George W. Bush. This following her Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts from the Order Sons of Italy in America (previous honorees have included Luciano Pavarotti). Cristina is a proud member of the three top performing unions – SAG/AFTRA/EQUITY and has been named one of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts most notable alumni (along with Robert Redford, Danny DeVito, Edward G. Robinson,etc.). Recent appearances include the opening ceremonies for the prestigious Hamptons Classic Horseshow, singing the National Anthem on Capital Hill in Washington D.C. for the testimony by fashion-icon Giorgio Gucci, her annual appearance at Feinsteins at the Regency Hotel, singing Happy Birthday to Mickey Rooney for his 90th birthday celebration at Feinsteins (Donald Trump, Regis Philbin, TonyBennett, et al in attendance), the historic Breakers Hotel honoring Connie Francis, the National Arts Club NYC honoring Patrice Munsel, performances in Orange County, San Diego (with Giada DiLaurentis) and Hollywood, CA for Jimmy Kimmel, the PBS Gala at Times Square Discover and her 8th-Annual Christmas in Italy® concert at the Danny Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College.
She has appeared with the Palm Beach Opera, the Cairo Opera, Opera of Hong Kong, the NY Grand Opera, NJ State Opera and the Opera of the Hamptons. A listing of some of the popular giantsshe has appeared with include Tony Bennett and Joel Grey. Cristina is a guest artist with many prestigious orchestras including the Boston Pops and the St. Louis Symphony performing in major concert halls throughout the U.S. and the world, including the Lincoln and Kennedy Centers and major concert halls throughout the Far East and Canada. She has completed three world-tours with the Mantovani Orchestra, has sung at Gracie Mansion at the invitation of Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Washington, D.C. for the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and the Italian Embassy, Lincoln Center with stars from the Metropolitan Opera and the Waldorf-Astoria for the Columbus Citizens Foundation honoring Franco Zeffirelli and Maestro Riccardo Muti.
She has toured the Middle East extensively as an Ambassador of Opera. Her operatic repertoire includes such heroines as Mimi, Musetta, Violetta and the title role(s) of Madame Butterfly and Tosca. Cristina has also toured as a solo concert artist in major concert halls throughout Japan, Korea, Italy, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United States. She has received rave reviews for her nightclub entertainment abilities, in addition to her classical concert and operatic appearances. Other appearances include the Hilton in Atlantic City, St. Patrick’s Cathedral NYC, a 9/11 memorial concert at Rockefeller Center with the NYPD Concert Band (televised on CNN, Fox National and NY Channels 5, 7 and 9) and the Columbus Day Parade on 5th Avenue NYC. She was signed by platinum-record winning producer to record Cristina Sings Great Italian Favorites. Her numerous awards include the American Opera Auditions and awards from the Puccini and Koussevitsky Foundations and Woman of the Year awards from the NYC Transit Authority, the NJ Federation of Italian and Italian-American Societies, the Ethnic Press Council of Toronto, the Salerno Club of the State of NY and the International Women’s Network for service to NY.