When talking about organizing the ever-impressive, ever-grand annual Sergio Franchi Memorial Concert, Eva Franchi laughs and says, "I need my head examined. After 22 years, we are still at it."

If this is a big event to coordinate, though, it's just as big an occasion for its devoted fans.

"The people are still coming," Franchi says. "We are expecting 4,000 people."

Eva Franchi founded this concert after her beloved husband — the renowned romantic tenor Sergio Franchi, who sang on the "Ed Sullivan Show" and everywhere from Carnegie Hall to Las Vegas — died in 1990 after battling brain cancer. She was inspired to organize the event — dubbed "Let the Music Play" — in his honor. The first one took place in 1994.

Proceeds help fund the Sergio Franchi Music Scholarship Foundation, which Eva began to help talented young singers.

Many of the singers return to the concert each year. A lot of them started here when they were young — 20 or 21 years old. A decade or more later, they perform on the stages of some of the top opera houses in the world, Franchi notes, but still come back for this show.

Giada Valenti, 15 years later, is now starring in the PBS special "From Venice with Love," which is airing nationally. She'll be on the Franchi stage Saturday.

So will James Valenti, who has sung with the Metropolitan Opera and Teatro alla Scala Milan. But, Franchi recalls of the lanky, 6-foot-5 singer, "he came to us when he was 21. I called him my Great Dane puppy." She also felt he sounded like the great lyrical tenor Franco Corelli and so also liked to call him her little Corelli.

For the second year, Westerly native David LaMarche returns to conduct the concert, leading the 32-piece orchestra. LaMarche also happens to conduct for the American Ballet Theatre.

"He wanted to come and give back to his town," Franchi says.

"He and I, we work together well, we laugh a lot, we drink a bottle of wine while we put the show together," she laughs.

This year's program features Latonia Moore, "known as Miss Aida," Franchi says; Filippo Voltaggio, who, Franchi says, "makes the people talk. He's not a comic, but he is colorful, and he talks to people in Italian, and they love him"; and Michael Amante, whom she calls "the people's tenor, people's choice." Balladeer Alfio "is singing those Italian, magnificent folk songs, the kind of songs that melt your heart and bring you back to your roots. Sergio sang those songs," she says. Five tenors will take the stage for "Nessum Dorma."

This year, Franchi has added a bit of jazz and swing, since Sergio delved into those genres, too.

And another nod to Sergio: Earlier this year, "Do I Hear a Waltz?," the Richard Rodgers musical that starred Sergio Franchi in its original, 1965 incarnation, was treated to a revival in New York City. The actor in the Franchi role this time around, Richard Troxell, will be at Saturday's concert. He will perform the love song "Take the Moment" from the show, as well as "You'll Never Walk Alone" from "Carousel."

In addition to hearing the music, concert-goers can enjoy visiting the Franchi estate. The grounds open early, so people can tour the home and its chapel and can view Sergio Franchi's antique cars and memorabilia. Before the show, friends can loll on blankets and beach chairs on the expansive lawn, picnicking and socializing. (On site, only soft drinks, water and desserts are sold.)

Franchi voices her appreciation for "the great, faithful volunteers of 22 years," who number close to 80 and help out on the day of the concert.

The Franchi scholarship foundation has awarded nearly 670 scholarships over the years, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.

"Once (the singers) have made it, that's when they come back (to the concert) and give back, and I'm able to give to other young ones. It's like a circle. It's magical," she says.

The Sergio Franchi Memorial Concert, grounds open at 11 a.m. Saturday, with concert 2-5 p.m., the Franchi Estate, 91 Sergio Franchi Drive, Stonington; $55 in advance, $60 at the door; (860) 535-9429, sergiofranchi.com.