"The arts teach us a thousand lessons," wrote Henry David Thoreau some two centuries ago. Thoreau's words ring true as we reflect back on last season's wonderful afternoon of thrilling opera arias, presented by the nineteen year old vocal phenomenon Charles Buttigieg, along with the brilliant accompaniment of virtuoso pianist Michael Davidman. The magic created together by these two gentleman has the power to impart us with continued wonder and wisdom, and we are delighted to share this Coudert Institute programming with you once again - this time in the pleasure of your own home!
Michael Davidman began studying piano at age five at the Greenwich House Music School then continued his studies with Efrem Briskin at the Manhattan School of Music. He completed his bachelor’s degree with Robert McDonald at the Curtis Institute of Music. In 2019 Michael began his Master of Music degree studies at the Juilliard School under the guidance of Jerome Lowenthal and Stephen Hough, completing the four-year scholarship program with the Chopin Foundation of the United States and receiving numerous awards and scholarships along his journey.
An opera enthusiast, Michael has appeared on Philadelphia's WHYY station's On Stage at Curtis, National Public Radio’s From the Top and has been a frequent performer on New York's WQXR station's Young Artist Showcase with host Robert Sherman. In addition, Michael has performed at the Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Kimmel Center, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Sandler Center, Field Concert Hall, the Music Shed, Hahn Hall, Symphony Space, Merkin Hall, DiMenna Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Steinway Hall, Bechstein Hall and in recitals throughout the globe.
"The arts teach us a thousand lessons..."
Twenty year old baritone Charles Buttigieg, from Gozo, Malta, began singing at an early age and joined the Chorus Urbanus under the direction of John Galea in 2011. He studies voice with Juliette Bisazza from the Royal College of Music, Kensington, London. While attending the Mediterranean Opera Studio & Festival in Caltagirone, Charles was chosen by Jack Li Vigni to perform La bohème in Teatro Eschillo and Gela. Currently, Charles is studying at the famed the Curtis Institute of Music with Patricia McCaffrey. At Curtis, he has performed the roles of Masetto in Don Giovanni, Mr. Fogg in Sweeney Todd and Spirit in Dido and Aeneas.
How fortunate were we, last winter, to relax back in wonder and beautiful music in the gardens at Villa Fiori! We hope that you will enjoy revisiting this experience brought to you by the Coudert Institute and will share this programming among your friends and family during this time. We look forward to gathering together in the arts, and in thoughtful dialogue, when we meet again next season.