WTI Magazine #43    2014 September, 17
Author : Donna R. Thompson      Translation by:

When you get to know Michéal Castaldo, you will soon learn that he loves Calabria—the place of his birth. His passion for this Mediterranean paradise certainly transcends the extent of feelings we each probably have toward our own Italian background and family upbringing. We can hear it in his voice when we listen to his CDs, we recognize it in his musical choices, we feel it in the songs he writes, we see it in the videos he produces, and we experience it when we watch his heartfelt performances.

This now New Yorker's undying love for Italy and all that's associated with being Italian is communicated in his work as a classical-crossover artist, one who has the training and voice for classical music and opera, yet enjoys injecting upbeat pop rhythms and songs into his performances and CDs. This unique combination is a key to his outstanding popularity and best-selling CD experience on Amazon. His six CDs include Villa (2004), La Dolce Vita 'NAmerica (2007), Aceto (2010), Extravergine (2011), Olive You (2012), and Bergamot (2013). And, he's working on a new one due to be released toward the end of 2014.

Michéal has performed all over the world for hundreds of thousands of people. He has worked with Jose Feliciano and was a producer for Martha Wash (known for singing hits such as "It's Raining Men," "Strike it Up," and "Everybody Dance Now"), Teo Macero (known for working with Miles Davis, Robert Palmer, and Vernon Reid), Wendy Moten (known for singing with Julio Iglesias), and Chris Botti (an award-winning trumpeter known for his work with Sting and Andrea Bocelli).

Michéal has been the recipient of numerous awards, the most recent include the Gigmasters Rising Star Award five years in a row (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013), the IALC 2013 Italian Arts & Culture Award, and the ArtistSignal Top Artist Award in March 2014. He was also a 2012 Classical-Crossover UK Top Male Vocalist Award Nominee.

In the numerous interviews he's done on TV and radio, you can really get to know Michéal through his professional yet charismatic responses, his witty sense of humor, and the interactions he has with fans who call in to support him. It's quite obvious that he communicates with his fans in various ways, and they just love him.

Michéal has a voice that soothes the soul, and he is a loving soul that appreciates life, his family, his fans, his sponsors, and everyone involved with his music career and entrepreneurial ventures. He appreciates and strives to improve a person's well-being with everything he does so we can all live La Dolce Vita.

A focused overachiever by nature, Michéal is a successful entrepreneur. He owns Majestic Castle Music, the NewYorkCityOliveOilCoop.com, Tuscan Weddings & Events, and Villetta Mimma Vittoria Vacation Rentals in Calabria. He is also the founder of a nonprofit organization called La Dolce Vita Foundation. Michéal believes that his music and passion for Italy carry through all that he does and are evident across all of his products and brands. Take, for example, the creation of a perfume he developed called "Musica." The name of this unisex fragrance speaks for itself, but looking deeper, one can see that the essence—a blend of Bergamot and five other high-grade essential oils—was well conceived. Bergamot, of course, is the name of his 2013 CD. He even named his new puppy, Elvizio, with great music in mind!

Everything associated with this popular Italian tenor and songwriter revolves around his passion for music and his Calabrian roots. This will be quite evident at Michéal Castaldo's upcoming performance of A Musical Celebration of the Italian Spirit—A Feast for the Ears, Eyes, and Soul at the South Orange Performing Arts Center in South Orange, New Jersey on September 21 presented by Investors Bank. At this multimedia event Michéal will perform a wonderful collection of Italian classics, American pop songs sung in Italian, and some original favorites as well as a brand new single. The show will also feature the Jenny Rocha Dance Theater interpreting his songs, breathtaking videos of Italy displayed as a backdrop during the performance, and a classical string quartet from the Montclair State University to accompany him.

And, if that isn't enough, Michéal has also organized an Italian Art Exhibit and Silent Auction that will be held in the theater gallery. The display will include a selection of framed original art created by 15 professional artists. The art exhibit is free and open to the public from noon to 8:30 pm.

For more details about A Musical Celebration of the Italian Spirit, visit http://www.sopacnow.org/450/MichaelCastaldo. To learn more about Michéal, visit www.michealCASTALDO.com.