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Rich voices, humorous antics and Sicilian legacy will take center stage for an exclusive performance at the Weinberg Center for the Arts next week.

Having delighted audiences at Carnegie Hall and assorted Baltimore venues with their unique and original show, The Sicilian Tenors will bring their trademark blend of old Italian songs, famous operas and a tribute to the iconic American tenor Mario Lanza to The Weinberg Center for the Arts on Wednesday.

"These are all rich songs, dramatic and very passionate," said Frederick tenor Sam Vitale. "They're love songs that speak of love."

The trio plans to keep audiences singing and laughing with perfectly pitched voices, melodic harmonies and comedic banter between songs. Occasionally, the three shake their hips or wag their fingers during performances. At other times, they might find a woman in the audience to sing to while on bended knee.

All in all, said Vitale, they have a great time during their shows.

Tenor Aaron Caruso said he is looking forward to the performance, which will also feature Christmas songs to get people in the holiday mood.

This will be Caruso's first time performing at the Weinberg. The singer, who lives in Connecticut, is looking forward to performing in the "beautiful theater," and to introducing Frederick audiences to the tenors' brand of singing and dancing.

"The main thing we do is we take something like the opera which is considered not very exciting and we make it fun," Caruso said.

Caruso and Vitale have collaborated for many years, since the two met in college in Michigan. Realizing that not only were they both from Sicilian families, but that they also shared vocal talents, the duo began singing around the country. Caruso now entertains audiences around the country full time.

Vitale, a Frederick business owner, has also pursued his singing career, while branching out and offering free performances to schools, educating children about music via coloring books he has designed.

"Drawing is another passion of mine," he said.

The duo became a trio when tenor Elio Scaccio joined Caruso and Vitale on stage at Carnegie Hall. The trio's chemistry impressed reviewers, said Vitale. After that performance, the three singers decided to start performing together.

"We're all friends so we have a nice dynamic together," Caruso said.

In addition to their acclaimed Carnegie Hall event, the tenors have garnered attention in other ways. Caruso was selected to portray Mario Lanza in a Broadway show that should hit stages in the next year.

The Weinberg concert will feature a tribute to Lanza, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the singer's death.

Accompanied by a pianist, the show will also feature patriotic tunes for military veterans in honor of Vitale, who also served.

Songs from "The Phantom of the Opera" and "O Sole Mia," as well as religious pieces, will round out the event.

The trio hopes to fill the Weinberg with people aiming to relax and have fun.

"When something in a song really hits somebody, you can feel it, you can really feel it," said Vitale. "And the audience gives it back to you in the energy and adrenaline rush you get."

The Sicilian Tenors

nWhen: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday

nWhere: Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick

nTickets: $12-$25

nFor information:

301-600-2828

www.weinbergcenter.org

www.siciliantenors.com

Cover teaser photo by Larry Garcia/VenuPix.