“The public is a harsh examiner of us singers,” Italian singer Gigi D’Alessio told the large crowd that gathered at Manoel Island on Saturday night for his two-hour concert. Judging by the enthusiasm, participation and loud cheers and applause after each and every song, the Neapolitan singer passed the test. And with flying colours too.

Whether it was solo on the piano or with his supporting band, Gigi D’Alessio mesmerised all those who attended – and such is his versatility that his fans range from the tear-eyed teenager holding a T-shirt of the singer in the hope that he could sign it for her to the 50-year-old mum who must have felt… well, as old as that teenager, at least for that night.

Those who spent a little bit more to have a seat must have probably regretted their decision after all because they spent most of the concert on their feet, dancing to his lively music or to give him standing ovations. But then, it was just worth being there, as the Italian singer is a great performer, and this is largely attributable to his capability of interrelating with the crowd, making each and every one of them feel special.

“What is important is not the singer up here but each and every one of you two metres below me,” he more or less said at one point to the loud cheers of all those present.

Gigi is not one to jump up and down the stage, but he managed to bring his audience to life with his well-chosen words that he said prior to each of his songs. He spoke about drugs, peace, relationships and whatnot, not forgetting to mention his own idol, Argentina footballer Maradona – an icon for the town of Naples.

But the most touching moment of the concert was Gigi’s tribute to one of his mentors, Renato Carosone, and his description of how one of the greatest figures of the Neapolitan song came to pass away while he was giving a concert in Madrid in 2001. Together with another Neapolitan musician Mario Merola, Carosone was an inspiration to Gigi, and his solo effort on the piano to sing the song dedicated to him was one of the best parts of the concert.

Likewise was his duet with Maltese singer Ira Losco, who had given her own performance before Gigi’s show and then accompanied him for the song “Cuore malato”, a song Gigi sings with international star Lara Fabien, and which Ira performed superbly.

All throughout his performance, during which he sang some of his latest hits from the album Made in Italy but also went back a few years to perform, among others, the songs he presented at the Sanremo festival, Gigi had the audience hanging on like a yo-yo – in full swing when he sang his fast-rhythm songs, and all to his or her own thoughts and feelings when he sang the softer and slower romantic pieces.

And, as the singer himself said, his songs have led to people falling in love. Perhaps Saturday’s concert in Malta also helped set up new relationships. Who knows, perhaps “Un nuovo bacio” (A new kiss), which practically started off Gigi’s own love-story with singer Anna Tatangelo, has become a favourite with one or more couples since last Saturday.