Stop Hunger Now Benefit Concert The Wilton Interfaith Action Committee

Erica vanderLinde Feidner and Anna Rita Tornello are
two incredibly gifted musicians. Erica, a Julliard-trained pianist
whose concert career began at age 11, is known internationally as the Piano Matchmaker for
her personalized piano selection business. Anna, a lyric soprano, was a
police officer and professional singer in her native Italy before
moving to the U.S. in 2003 and continuing both career paths here in the
states, including becoming a Wilton police officer. 

Now, for the second year in a row, Feidner and Tornello are teaming up for a special Spring Concert on April 6 to benefit the Wilton Interfaith Action Committee’s Stop Hunger Now campaign, an effort which culminates in a day-long event held every fall to package over 100,000 meals for
malnourished children around the world. The Committee is made up of
members from ten different faith-based organizations in town –
Christian, Jewish, and Muslim – who come together to work on the
project.

Feidner
and Tornello say they have planned a musical program which will invite
all ages to celebrate the joys of spring – something we could all use
after this rough winter.

“In
the first half, we will start with a flower theme, playing more
classical pieces and opera arias, and we will explore the theme of the
moon through different composers’ interpretations,” says Tornello. “For
the second half, we will bring in a bit of a flirtation theme, and
invite dancing.”

“Classical
concerts have a reputation for being boring and stuffy,” adds Feidner.
“We want this to be fun and family friendly. We will talk about the
songs, and the meaning behind the songs. We want the kids to participate
if they want to.”

Speaking
of kids (and the young at heart), concert attendees can also enjoy
authentic gelato from La Fenice of Greenwich. The popular family-owned
shop made a generous donation to the event and will have a gelato cart
on site, directing a portion of proceeds back to Stop Hunger Now.

Feidner
says that preparing for their second performance together has been
different this year than it was last year, when the two had just
recently met.

“Over
the last year, we’ve really gotten to know each other as friends. The
pressure is off, and the enjoyment is all there,” she says.

“That is something special between the two of us,” Tornello agrees. “We communicate on all levels, both musical and personally.”

The Wilton Interfaith Action Committee Stop Hunger Now Benefit Concert takes place beginning at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 6th at the WEPCO church complex, 36 New Canaan Road, Wilton CT Tickets are $15 at the door.