Gozo News

This Saturday, Gozo’s quaint Piazza Santa Lucia will host internationally renowned baritone Charles Buttigieg to perform opera, Maltese and Neapolitan classics and other popular songs. The concert will start at 8:30pm.

Accompanied by rising talent Ilyas Ige Sultana, American mezzo-soprano Katherine Dobbs, soprano Miriam Cauchi, X-Factor judge and singer Gianluca Bezzina, Schola Cantorum Jubilate and a live orchestra conducted by Mr. Mark Gauci, the 3rd Charles Buttigieg Concert promises to be another unforgettable night of music.

Baritone Charles Buttigieg has risen to fame both at home and abroad. He recently appeared in a Christmas special with Joseph Calleja and Andrea Bocelli. Charles’ musical journey began at the age of 11 when his talent was discovered by his parish priest.

Charles joined the Urbanus Choir under the guidance of Mr. John Gallia and later continued his studies under the renowned Maltese soprano Ms. Juliet Bisazza.

Charles, 25, has been awarded a scholarship from the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation for his dedication and talent, the opportunity to perform with some of the opera world’s top maestros, and two Encouragement Awards from the Metropolitan Opera in 2021 and 2022.

From September 2024, Charles will be based in Florence as an Opera Mascalade artist, performing at Teatro La Fenice (Venice), Teatro Pergola (Florence), Royal Opera House (London) and other partner theatres in Germany.

Charles Buttigieg has spent the last 8 years studying internationally and performing in opera houses across Europe and the United States. In 2017, Charles was selected by Mr. Jack Livigni to perform La Bohème in Gela and at the Teatro Eschillo in Agrigento. He then had the privilege of attending Ms. Dolora Zajick’s Young Theatre Voices Academy, funded by the Foundation. Later that year, he was selected to attend the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he honed his skills under the guidance of mezzo-soprano Ms. Patricia McCaffrey, graduating with honors in 2022.

Charles’ talent was recognized internationally, leading to an invitation to a private concert with such notable guests as Metropolitan Opera President Ann Ziff, soprano Renée Fleming, and mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajc.

In 2018, he performed at the Perelman Theater at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, giving outstanding performances as Masetto in Don Giovanni, Mr. Fogg in Sweeney Todd, and the Ghost in Dido and Aeneas.

In November 2019, Charles reached another milestone when he made his debut as Figaro in The Barber of Seville at the Kimmel Center Opera in Philadelphia, accompanied by the Curtis Symphony Orchestra. At the age of 20, he performed an international leading role in this production, demonstrating his tremendous talent and a bright future in the opera world.

In 2021, he had the honor of performing with the legendary soprano Diana Damrau in a concert with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. The following year, he shared the stage with tenor Joseph Calleja at the Naples Opera in Florida.

Since then, he has continued to wow audiences with powerful performances, playing Morales in Carmen at the Astra Theatre in Gozo, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet at the Naples Opera in Florida, and in the first and second editions of The Charles Buttigieg Concert.

As is tradition, this year’s concert is sure to enchant the audience. The repertoire includes a variety of iconic operas such as La Traviata, Carmen, Rigoletto and Tosca, as well as beloved Neapolitan works such as La Naples Opera, and more recent and contemporary works including 70s works such as New York, New York and A Million Dreams. Admission to the Charles Buttigieg concert on Saturday, July 6 is free.

Attendees will have the opportunity to donate to the Malta Community Foundation – every dollar will make a difference and support the Foundation’s important work.

The Charles Buttigieg concert is organised by the Cultural Heritage Directorate of Gozo and the Ministry of Planning.