Born in Naples, Italy (in the same street as the legendary Tenor “Enrico Caruso”) Raffaele start singing at very young age, as teenager he entertained people performing in local trattorias, where he was discovered just like “Caruso” by his future voice coach. His highly successful debut was a tribute concert to the greatest tenor of all time “Enrico Caruso”, which took place in their birth city (Naples). As a student of the Ancient Italian school of singing (La vecchia scuola Italiana di canto), Raffaele studied very passionately for seven years, with the baritone maestro “Antonio Finizio”, from Teatro Reale “San Carlo” of Naples, a very close associate of another great tenor of the past “Mario del Monaco”. At conservatorio Domenico Cimarosa di Avellino, Raffaele graduated with a diploma di canto (ramo cantanti), in collaboration with “Pia Ferrara” (soprano) and president of “centro incontri musicali” di Napoli.
After graduating, his career moved forward quickly and Raffaele immediately became a singer of choice for public festivals and celebrations, not only in Naples, but all around Italy. As a singer not only of Neapolitan Songs but also Operatic Arias and Sacred Music, his popularity grew as he started making many appearances in the great Cathedrals of Italy, as well as becoming a popular favourite voice of tourism and culture right throughout Italy, Europe and Australasia. Raffaele’s reputation took him all around Europe as a concert soloist as well as an Instructor in many of the prestigious music schools of the Continent.
In Australasia, he was a popular Concert Soloist with The Hunan Province Symphony Orchestra (China) as well as in Australian Capitals, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, where he also appeared and performed in many prominent places. Ironically, it was the cardinal and mayor of Naples who invited him to give a recital of Neapolitan Songs and Sacred Music, in the 700 year old Duomo of “San Gennaro” in Naples, one of the world’s most famous architectural structures. To this day, Raffaele considers one of his career highlights to be giving a recital for la fondazione “Pasquale di Costanzo” in the forum at Pompei near Naples.
In the past years, Raffaele developed a wonderful show called “Sogno d’Italia” (Dream of Italy) in collaboration with the Internatinal acclaimed singer “Leslie Martin – Nightingale” (Soprano). Raffaele had the opportunity to work with the well-known and very famous French tenor “Roberto Alagna” on his Australian Tour, including Stefano Miceli” (New York, Italy) an old friend and colleague of Raffaele from Naples, Italy. It was also an opportunity to meet up with “Siobhan Stagg”, who starred as soprano on this tour.
In the last few years Raffaele developed a few different shows: “Passioni Vocali” with Leanne Warne (Pianist) – “Melodie D’amore” (Melody of Love) in collaboration with Melissa Buchholtz (Pianist) and Michael Weston Organization Pty Ltd – “L’Anima di Napoli” with Carl Rafferty (Director/Pianist). Celebrating many Italians’ finest operatic solo arias, Italian songs and duets. In particular the Neapolitan Classic and traditional melodies in original Language and much more, in collaboration with various International and local Artists.
Raffaele is also able to provide in his new show (Raffaele and Friends), a variety of different Guests Artists on request, in collaboration with many different musicians: Pianist – Strings Quartet – Small Orchestra – Violinist – Flutist and many more. All of them with a very high level of professionalism to the best entertainment for the Audience.
If you have in mind to surprise anyone with a great and unforgettable show, this is your chance to get your booking to start a voyage in the magic and sublime world of Raffaele’s entertainment.
In every concert he appears, Raffaele brings his heritage of Neapolitan songs with joy and passion to his audiences, with a breath of fresh air – “L’Anima di Napoli” (The Soul of Naples). A mix of Neapolitan Traditional Classics in its original language such as ‘O Sole Mio, Torna a Surriento and the most famous of all Funicili’ Funicula’.
