After spending the past two years in Florence as part of the Mascarade Opera programme, Gozitan baritone Charles Buttigieg will return home to present Closer to the Voice on Friday, 4 July 2026, at the Grand Hotel, Gozo.
The concert marks Buttigieg's first major performance in Gozo following an important period of artistic development abroad. The programme will feature opera, bel canto and verismo repertoire, alongside a selection of Neapolitan songs.
Joining Buttigieg on stage will be soprano Chrystelle Di Marco and tenor Alan Sciberras, under the musical direction of Mro. Mark Gauci. The evening will be compered by Keith Demicoli.
At 27 years of age, Buttigieg has built an international career that has taken him from Gozo to stages across Europe and the United States. Despite a challenging childhood, he found in music both direction and purpose from an early age. His musical studies began under the direction of Mro Dr John Galea before continuing with the late soprano Juliette Bisazza. His development has also been supported by the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation.
A graduate of the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Buttigieg has performed roles including Marcello in La Bohème, Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor and Figaro in The Barber of Seville with Opera Philadelphia at the Kimmel Center. He has also appeared with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra alongside Diana Damrau, performed at Opera Naples, and was a quarter-finalist in the Operalia competition founded by Plácido Domingo.
Most recently, Buttigieg performed in Parma, Italy, with Mascarade Opera. He performed the role of Notaro in Donizetti's Don Pasquale and King Alfonso XI in La Favorita. Reviews published following the performances described his interpretations as compelling and praised both his vocal quality and stage presence.
Speaking about the upcoming concert, Buttigieg noted that performing in Gozo holds particular significance after two years abroad, bringing him back to the community where his musical journey first began.
Closer to the Voice will take place on Friday, 4 July 2026, at the Grand Ballroom, Grand Hotel Gozo. Tickets are available through Showshappening.com
Closer to the Voice Charles Buttigieg Live is being supported by the Ministry for Gozo, Visit Malta - Explore More, Elzan Properties, Grand Hotel, Country Terrace Restaurant, and Cefai Formal Wear.
