IAP 197: In Every Song A Story with Tenor Michéal Castaldo

When sitting down with a singer of the caliber of Michéal Castaldo, one would expect the conversation to center around the long list of accomplishments he's racked up during his celebrated career.  But, in the tradition of Italy's countless "Renaissance Men," this proud Calabrian proves himself to be much more than just a stellar voice! In fact, his music isn't even discussed until the halfway marker of this week's episode of the Italian American Podcast, as the famed musician first shares many other facets of his incredible story with us. From his take on Italian wedding traditions, to his experience rebuilding and commercializing his ancient family homestead in Calabria, to his career importing rare olive oils and balsamic vinegars, we are sharing the often-unseen sides of a man known the world over for his incomparable musical gifts!  We'll discuss the different traditions that took hold in the Italo-Canadian community, discover the secrets of the world's finest olive oils, and learn how many types of wood go into making the perfect balsamic vinegar barrel! But, of course, our conversation did bring us back to Michéal's love for music. From discovering it as a child singing in his church choir, to training with renowned musical experts in Italy and North America, to his vast musical body that spans everything from bel canto to classical, jazz, and pop, Michéal shares the passion for storytelling that drives his creative endeavors… and why, in his opinion, the pop hits you love sound even better when sung in the Calabrese language! In this episode, this much-loved tenor shows that he's so much more than just his beautiful voice, so if you know Michéal Castaldo the singer, or if you're meeting him for the very first time, get ready to meet Michéal Castaldo the entrepreneur, the historian, and the man in this fascinating look into the life of one very passionate Italian American! To learn more about Michéal Castaldo and his works, click here. This episode is sponsored by Mediaset Italia.