Catania's musical history is very significant having been the birthplace of opera composers, opera singers, contemporary composers and contemporary singers and artists.  Their most famous is the composer Vincenzo Bellini  (November 3, 1801 – September 23, 1835), a brilliant composer of opera who died at the very early age of 33.  He is credited with contributing a wealth of operatic music in many of his famous works such as the "Norma", "I Puritani", and "La Sonnambula". Many years later, these operas are still symbols of passion and love from this beautiful Adriatic city.   More recently in time, Catania is also the city where the famous tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano  (July 24,1921 – March 3,2008) was born, musically schooled and raised before reaching international success. He will always be remembered and admired for his excellent diction, unique timbre, and passionate delivery, and particularly for his sweet soft tones. In his Metropolitan radio debut in Faust, he attacked the high C forte and then softened to a pianissimo. Sir Rudolf Bing said this was the most beautiful sound he had heard come out of a human throat during his years as General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera.

At the age of two Gianpaolo accompanied his parents as their family departed Catania to find their future in America like many immigrants dreaming of a prosperous life.  The port in Naples was filled with Italians awaiting to board the famous ship "SS Leonardo da Vinci" bound for New York, USA.   

Years later, Gianpaolo followed his love and passion for music and the performing arts.  At age 7 he began piano lessons, followed by the accordion and clarinet.  By his early teenage years he was studying drums and percussion at The Hartford Conservatory of Music with Maestros who performed with The Hartford Symphony and well known dinner theatres in New England and New York City.  By the time he was 16, his mother, a lover of opera,  knew her son had a very unique vocal talent, and after convincing him that studying opera was a significant factor in vocal advancement, he agreed to study at "The Frank and Rina Caruso Vocal Studio of Bel Canto" in Connecticut.  Although the Carusos trained Gianpaolo in the traditional Bel Canto opera method and techniques, his mind was always on pop music.  His mother knew it would be  very difficult to convince a teenager that opera was the "in" thing to do, but she persisted, and  he always made her happy by continuing his operatic vocal studies.  

He  is very thankful for his fundamental vocal training  from Frank and Rina Caruso.  Although the Carusos have passed away, Gianpaolo reflects on the days of his class performances singing Italian Opera arias as they praised his perfect Italian diction on the very first try.  In fact, it was a normal challenge that at every class, he sing every new aria the first time without  reading any Italian words or notes in advance.  He is forever grateful to his wonderful Italian mother and to the Carusos who gave him their support and encouragement  for his strong foundation of opera music.

Today, Gianpaolo credits his new found matured voice to studying the opera method of "La Vecchia Scuola Di Musica di Bologna", the coveted style and technique of many opera greats.   He is fortunate and honored to study via Europe with one of the very few remaining original students of the great DramaticTenor...Mario del Monaco ( July 27, 1915 - October 16, 1982).  His Maestro is eighty years old and his mission is to teach Gianpaolo the rare opera techniques, which are not specifically favored in the new music schools of today.  It is referred to as " La Scuola Antica"  or "The Old School".