MIDLAND - Finding the performer for this year's "Una Bella Festa," Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center's (LPPAC) Italian festival, was a walk in the park.

LPPAC Managing Director Steve Catanzarite stated that Italian baritone Franco Corso contacted Director of Special Projects Sal Aloe and requested to perform at the center.

"He had contacted Sal Aloe about wanting to perform here at Lincoln Park, and then I think Sal said if he wanted to perform, maybe he could be part of Una Bella Festa," Catanzarite said.

Although Corso initiated contact with the center, the two minds behind Una Bella Festa - Catanzarite and volunteer consultant Elaine Neil - had already planned to book the baritone.

"We've been talking about bringing Franco Corso in since fall of last year," Catanzarite said.

Corso will be performing with a full orchestra during Una Bella Festa on Sunday, which is comprised of dinner and the performance.

Catanzarite stated that VIP tickets, which include a signed CD, box seating, and a photo with Corso among other gifts, have already sold out.

Regular tickets are still available, but Catanzarite stated that "we're close to selling out."

"I think usually after the dinners all sell out, they might make some seats available that are just performance only, no dinner," Catanzarite said. "That's what happened last year."

The success of Una Bella Festa has led to other similar festivals at other points in the year.

"Around St. Patrick's Day, we did an Irish dinner followed by an evening of Irish entertainment," Catanzarite said. "There's some talk in November of doing something with a Serbian type of flair."

Last year, the first year of Una Bella Festa, which sold out, featured tenor Matt Morgan, backed by dance band We Three. "We started planning this one (Sunday's event) maybe a month or two after the last one ended," Catanzarite said. "After we ended the festival last year, I'm sure that by August we were doing deep breathing and thinking about (the next one)."

Corso, inspired by Dean Martin and Sergio Franchi, has shared the stage with Andrea Bocelli, Jerry Vale and Al Martino. He opened for Frankie Avalon in Los Angeles to an audience of 11,000.

He was born and raised in Sanremo, Italy, and moved to Palm Beach, Fla. in 2001 to perform for Donald Trump. The audience's response at that performance convinced Corso to stay in the U.S.

Corso's CD, "Passione," has sold more than 30,000 copies.

"I think it's going to be a little bit different from last year, but hopefully, with as good as last year's was, I think this year's will be even better," Catanzarite said.

Dinner will be served at 5 p.m. in the Midland gymnasium and the concert will take place at 7 in the LPPAC main theater. Doors for the dinner open at 4:30 p.m. Dinner and concert tickets begin at $30 and may be purchased at the LPPAC box office or by calling 724-643-9004.