Harmony: David Sabella and David Maiocco Enchant Act2PV

Last night, the Casa Karma’s Red Room at Act2PV was transformed into a sanctuary of pure artistry as “Classical Connections” brought together the unparalleled talents of David Sabella and David Maiocco. It was an evening steeped in history, passion, and extraordinary musicality—a performance that left the audience captivated, educated, and emotionally moved.

David Sabella, a celebrated countertenor, opened the show with a spellbinding rendition of “Ave Maria,” his voice soaring with angelic beauty. As he performed, Sabella delved into the history of countertenors, reminding us that these “rockstars of the 17th century” were pivotal to the operatic world, embodying emperors, warriors and heroes. Through his storytelling, we learned about the countertenors’ roles as the successors to the castrati, with voices that carried an unmatched romantic allure.

The evening then turned deeply personal as Sabella recounted his journey as a contestant of the Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition, which spanned over 2 years, from 1993 to 1995, culminating in his final audition for the legendary tenor. So moved was Pavarotti by his performance that he stopped Sabella in the midst of his aria (Cara Sposa, from Handel’s Rinaldo). Sabella froze, prepared for harsh and scathing critique that had struck terror into the hearts of many other singers in the competition. But instead Pavarotti declared him an instant winner saying “I don’t have to hear to the end. This is excellent. Not good, excellent!” It became a moment etched into the annals of music history, and Sabella’s heartfelt delivery of this story reminded us all of the power of perseverance.

Complementing Sabella’s vocal brilliance was the equally mesmerizing David Maiocco, who brought the piano to life with a Chopin waltz. He described the piece as “fluffy and light,” and indeed, the notes danced through the room with an air of effortless grace. Maiocco’s performance highlighted Chopin’s dual heritage—Polish and French—a fusion of elegance and emotional depth that resonated deeply with the audience.

But the evening wasn’t just about technical mastery; it was also an exploration of art’s sensuality and humanity. Sabella introduced a French art song, based on a banned French poem by Paul Verlaine. Reciting its sultry words before transitioning seamlessly into Gabriel Faure’s “ En Sourine.”

Maiocco followed with a haunting rendition of Franz Liszt’s “Liebesträume.” And his fun interpretation of “Malagueña” and Sabella’s melancholic rendition of “Wenn Dein Müterline, from Mahler’s Die Kindertotenlieder (Songs On The Death of Children) —a deeply poignant work from the perspective of a grieving father—was haunting and transcendent. Sabella has the distinction of being the only countertenor to have performed the Mahler song cycle at Carnegie Hall, a testament to his unparalleled skill and emotional depth.

The night closed with Irving Berlin’s “How Deep is the Ocean,” blissfully set to Ravel’s piano concerto “Un Barque Sur L’Ocean (arrangement by Christopher Marlow). This duet encapsulated the warmth and charm of both artists. The perfect end to an enchanting classical music evening.

As the audience spilled out onto the Casanova’s Terrance, glasses raised in celebration, the air buzzed with the shared wonder of what we had all just experienced.

David Sabella and David Maiocco together are a rare phenomenon—artists whose combined talents go beyond mere performance to create an immersive journey through music, history, and human connection. If you ever have the chance to see these two masters in action, do not miss it. “Classical Connections” at Act2PV was not just a concert; it was a gift to the soul.