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International Stars performing at the John Paul II Gala Concert

Anna Shafajinskaia - Soprano
Ukrainian-born Canadian dramatic soprano who gained international recognition in 1996 when she was invited to sing Tosca opposite Luciano Pavarotti. The winner of no less than 14 international competitions in two years, Shafajinskaia scored a notable triumph on the Durban concert platform in 1999, replacing American soprano Jessye Norman. Has appeared on many world stages including Oslo, Liege, London (Covent Garden), Durban, New Orleans, New York and Amsterdam. Her busy international schedule this year includes appearances in the US, London, The Netherlands, Florence, Finland and Norway. [more...]
Helmut Lotti - Belgian Pop Singer and Composer
A world famous pop and classical singer. Even though he has never received any musical training, he has earned 67 Platinum and 68 Gold records for his albums. "Helmut Lotti goes Classic" became the most popular and most rapidly sold CD ever to be released in Belgium, and has now gone twelve times Platinum. [more...]
Gheorghe Zamfir - Legendary Pan-Flute Virtuoso
The Romanian Panpipes were made famous following the arrival on of Zamfir the world stage. Zamfir was "discovered" by Swiss Impresario and Ethnomusicologist Marcel Cellier who extensively researched Romanian folk music. Zamfir gave performances in the early 1970s in France and Switzerland and was further exposed following the chart success in the UK of his rendition of the Romanian lament "Doina de Jale", which was used as the theme music to a BBC TV series "The Light of Experience". Zamfir has become one of the most popular musicians outside the U.S. with 60 gold and platinum albums. [more...]

Malgorzata Walewska - Mezzo-soprano
Ms. Walewska has received many awards including the 1st prize in the "Alfredo Kraus 2nd International Competition" in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. She is a laureate of two Best Mezzosoprano prizes at the "St.Moniuszko's International Competition" in Warsaw, and of the "Luciano Pavarotti's Vocal Competition" in Philadelphia. She was a finalist of the "Belvedere Vocal Competition" in Vienna; and was awarded the "Militio pro Christo" medal in 2002. Malgorzata performed with stars such as; L. Pavarotti, P. Domingo, L. Lima, S. Estes, D. Hvorostowsky, T. Hampson, R. Bruson, B. Weikl, E. Gruberova, M. Lipovsek, G. Schnaut, L. Nucci, J. Cura, M. Salminnen [more...]
Tony Melendez - Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist
A "thalidomide baby," Tony was born without arms. Quite proficient with his feet, he never let his handicap get in his way. In high school he began playing around with the guitar, and began writing his own songs. Tony's life changed forever when Pope John Paul II embraced and kissed him in appreciation after he played for him in Los Angeles, in 1987. Since then, Tony has travelled across the United States and twenty-seven foreign countries, making countless television appearances. He has been the recipient of numerous awards and honours and since 1989 has made countless recordings. [more...]
Kinga Mitrowska - Soprano
For seven years she was the soloist at the Warsaw State Opera House. She has made several recordings for Polish radio and television. Kinga has performed with several symphony orchestras in Europe, Japan, Canada and the USA. Her most recent engagements were with the Warsaw State Opera House and with the Toronto Operetta Theatre, where she sang such roles as Rosalinda in "The Revenge of the Bat" and Saffi in "Gypsy Baron". Her repertoire includes soprano parts from the operas of Mozart, Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi, Puccini. [more...]
Michael Newnham - Conductor
Music Director of the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, the Woodstock Strings, the Niagara Youth Orchestra and the Kawartha Youth Orchestra. Music director for productions of the "Nutcracker" with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and the Kiev Classical Ballet. Conducted Verdi's "Aida" (1999) at the East Slovakian State Opera in Ko¹ice, Slovakia where in 1998 he received "Best Conductor Award" at the International Workshop for Operatic Conductors. Also served as Guest Professor-Conductor of Orchestras at the Taegu-Hyosung Catholic University Symphony Orchestra in Korea (1995 and 1997). [more...]
Uwe Liefländer - Conductor
Directed the 500-voice World Youth Day Choir and symphony orchestra during the World Youth Days in Toronto in 2002. Has conducted the Sacred Music Society choir and chamber choir since 1996 and the Sinfonia Sacra (formerly known as the Etobicoke Symphony) since 1989. Some of the many works Mr. Liefländer has conducted include pieces of Bach, Beethoven Brahms, Handel, Mozart, and Schubert. Also a professional composer, with numerous choir motets as well as works for choir, orchestra, and solo performed both in concert and at Mass. [more...]
Franco Tenelli - Tenor
Mr. Tenelli was well received by audiences as well as critics performing Nadir in Bizet's "Pearl Fishers", Canio in "I Pagliacci", and Bacchus in Strauss' "Ariadne auf Naxos" - to name a few. Performed with Great Canadian baritone Louis Quilico. Made several appearances on Italian TV (TeleItalia). Toured with "Songs of Rachmaninov" and Kodaly's challenging "Psalmus Hungaricus" and has coached Ben Heppner for the Carnegie Hall Rachmaninov Recital. Has performed in many opera houses around the world: Germany, Italy, Turkey, Georgia, USA. [more...]
Lisa DiMaria - Soprano
Studying vocal performance under renowned voice teacher Mrs. Mary Freedman Morrison at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music. Holds the Paul H. Mills Scholarship for receiving the highest jury mark for voice in 2002. Was named the Canadian National Exhibition's Grand Champion of the Rising Star Competition in 2002. Performed with tenor Mark DuBois of "Opera York". Was the featured vocalist in 2002 for the Telelatino Network's show "Viva Domenica". Has been a featured soloist with the MacMillan Singers, the university's elite choir. [more...]

Adrian Anantawan - Violinist
Presently studying violin under Ida Kavafian and Yumi Ninomiya Scott at the world-renowned Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and under the guidance of Stephen Shipps at Meadowmount School of Music in NY, both with full-merit scholarships. Although born without a right hand, Adrian has won many music competitions and received numerous special awards along with wide media attention in Canada and the USA. To crown his achievements, he won the 2002 VSA Rosemary Kennedy International Young Soloist Award and debuted at the Kennedy Center, Washington D.C. [more...]

World Youth Day Choir / Sacred Music Society
Sacred Music Society formed the World Youth Day Choir that sang at the Papal Mass during WYD2002 and performed the WYD Gala Concert at the Molson Amphitheatre on July 25, 2002.
Founded in 1996, the Sacred Music Society is a 90-voice choir based in Toronto, and includes a 20-voice Chamber Choir which serves as its semi-professional core. What makes the choir particularly special (and unique) is its commitment to singing great sacred repertoire in the context of faith, hope, and charity -- in liturgical context as well as in concert. [more...]

The list of International Stars performing at the John Paul II Gala Concert is steadily expanding, so please come back often for even more exciting names.