EPISODE 15 CELEBRATING LUCIANO PAVAROTTI’S 90TH BIRTHDAY

Today, the October 12, 2025, marks the 90th birthday of my childhood tenor vocal hero, Luciano Pavarotti. Join me, Gyaan Lyon aka The Voice Detective on this special episode of The Voice Detective Show as I go on the trail of the legendary Maestro’s life, in his hometown of Moderna, Italy.

You can also read my tribute article to Luciano Pavarotti in the Legendary Singers Anthology

EPISODE 14 MEETING NIKO: MUSICIAN, ACTOR, FILM DIRECTOR AND ARTIST

Niko aka Nikolai Selikovsky is a multi-talented performing artist born in Vienna, Austria, and currently living and working in Rome.

He is the frontman of the Hip-hop Soul Band N.I.K.O., who are releasing their new LP ‘Hello & Ciao’ at their upcoming album release concert this Friday 26th September at the B72 in Vienna, Austria.

Since the age of 19, he has been professionally active in both drama and music productions. His two streams of career encompass not only acting, but also film directing; and as a musician, he has worked with a variety of styles as a frontman on the one hand, and as a producer on the other.

His first major film, where he was producer, writer and leading actor was in the Austrian film Sturmfrei (Storm Free) in 2009. Although he has appeared in over 15 films since 1997, he achieved national recognition in his native Austria with the role of Thomas in Die Migrantigen (The Migrants) in 2017. He has honed his acting skills with the New York based acting coach Susan Batson. In 2020, he was nominated for best actor in the short film Anna at the Pigneto Film Festival and most recently in 2024, he has appeared in the Netflix hit of The Decameron.

His musical career has been marked by a willingness to find the most fitting expression of musical and poetic ideas through the most suitable genre. This eclectic approach has meant he has been at times a solo rap artist from 2007 and from 2014 working with an ensemble; the hip-hop and soul band N.I.K.O.

It is no coincidence that the 2009 film Sturmfrei included music composed by Selikovsky demonstrating the versatility and synergy of his artistic passions. His first solo album in 2010 was ‘Dichter der Großstadt’ (‘Poet of the Big City’). This was followed by ‘Zwischen Asphalt und Milchstraße’ (‘Between Asphalt and Milky Way’) which introduced the band N.I.K.O to a wider audience. In 2018, the band N.I.K.O released the album ‘Unter Strom’ (‘Under Power’). And their latest release fourth studio album ‘Hallo & Ciao’ includes the singles ‘Ballaci Su’ and ‘Lady Godard’.

The current band members are:

Nikolai Selikovsky – Vocals, electric guitar, keyboard
Leslie April – Vocals, Keyboard
Lukas Fellner – Drums
Eva Brandner – Keyboard
Sara Hoffer – Saxophone
Bernhard Fellner – Trumpet
Federico Torri – Bass
Markus Pagitsch – Saxophone

N.I.K.O. has the distinction of being the first band from Austria in 2015 to finance a tour through crowdfunding playing in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. This was followed by articles in ZIB, News, Salzburg24 up to Germany in Die Zeit, and many other media. In the same year the band performed in various locations such as the Mole West in Burgenland, Haus des Meeres in Vienna and in the Gschupften Ferdl.

In line with the stated eclecticism, N.I.K.O. is a collective of musicians from different musical genres, which varies in number during their performances. Sometimes four and sometimes up to eight musicians perform live.

For more information about the band, visit:
ww.niko-official.com

EPISODE 13 A GLIMPSE INTO STRAWBERRY FIELD, LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND

In this episode, we visit Strawberry Field.
Strawberry Field was made famous throughout the world thanks to the Beatles song ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’. The Voice Detective aka Gyaan Lyon explores the links between the song, John Lennon, and The Salvation Army. There is also a significant link with continuing charitable work, and in particular for young adults with disabilities. We learn about the history of Strawberry Field, and Major Kathy Versfeld of The Salvation Army tells us about the great work that takes place here. Long before John ever climbed over the wall and discovered his special place the house and garden was a place where The Salvation Army carried out its mission in reaching out to people.
Learn a little about how Strawberry Field embraces the changing needs of the twenty first century. and how it remains a place of sanctuary, mysterious peace and a beacon of hope and love in a sometimes cold world.

EPISODE 12 INSIDE KLINGSOR’S GARDEN WITH MAURIZIO PIETRANTONIO

In the year 1880, Richard Wagner was hard at work composing what was to be his final opera, Parsifal. (He had been working on Parsifal since 1857). One of his favourite places to relax and draw inspiration from was Italy, and he stayed in Ravello at the Villa Rufolo, and it was in the Villa Rufolo that he found Klingsor’s Garden, which is so important for the second act. Being here in Ravello excited him and gave Wagner the burst of inspiration to complete the opera.

The Voice Detective is excited to present an interview with Maurizio Pietrantonio the General Manager of the Fondazione Ravello which is based in the Villa Rufolo. The Fondazione Ravello Villa Rufolo presents and manages the Ravello Festival and between the 6 July and the 25 August 2025 it will be the 73rd time it is taking place. More information about the Ravello Festival can be found at https://ravellofestival.info/2022/ What can be more evocative of the magic of Southern Italy that enchanted Wagner than sitting in the very garden that inspired him and overlooking the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea?

Maurizio Pietrantonio brings to the interview his extensive experience as a performing musician, professor of violin, musicologist, and the management and promotion of cultural events. Until 2023 he was tenured professor of violin at the State Conservatory of Music Naples, ‘San Pietro a Majella’. From 1999 to 2006 he was a Member of the Board of Directors of the Teatro di San Carlo Foundation and has extensive experience with management of theatres, music festivals and performances. He is also the recipient of numerous awards, most recently in 2024 the ‘Sorrentina Classica’ Lifetime Achievement Award. With his decades of knowledge, experience and artistic sensibility, the Voice Detective is privileged to be able to present Maurizio Pietrantonio’s unique life journey with an emphasis on Wagner’s presence and lasting legacy in Ravello.

Episode 11 Of The Voice Detective Show with Liane Keegan and the Ensemble Creatus

Ensemble Creatus is Artist in Residence at the Victorian Artists Society in Melbourne, Australia in 2025. Their offering is named Seasons of Song, each concert being integral to the season during the year in which it is performed. The first of these concerts took place on the 9 February and coincided with the Victorian Artists Society’s Summer Exhibition. The Summer of course, being in the Southern Hemisphere. This concert is what the Voice Detective experienced, and excerpts form part of the Vodcast, by kind permission of Ensemble Creatus.

The concert series showcases the work of British composer, Ralph Vaughan Williams whose art songs are filled with rich harmonics and an impressive narrative gift. The intention is highlighted in the concert title, ‘When Art meets the Art of the English Song’ It is particularly appropriate that the concert took place in an historic setting with direct links to Dame Nellie Melba who taught singing in this building and the her contemporaries, the Australian painters who initiated a distinct movement in Australian art and who founded the Victorian Artists Society. The Ensemble Creatus team consists of contralto, Liane Keegan, accompanist and co-founder of the Ensemble Toni Lalich OAM, mezzo-soprano Juel Riggall, and sopranos Bethan Ellsmore and Naomi Summers.

The interview is with, Liane, a true contralto, has performed across the world in many of the leading opera houses. She is a specialist in Wagner and Verdi roles, as well as the concert and oratorio repertoire for contralto.

The programme presented was as follows:

Three Vocalises (1958) (wordless)
1. Prelude – Juel Riggall
2. Scherzo – Bethan Ellsmore
3. Quasi Menuetto – Naomi Summers
How can a tree but wither (1896) – Bethan Ellsmore
Poem by Thomas, Lord Vaux (1509- 1556)
Three songs from Shakespeare (1925) – Naomi Summers
Poems by William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
1. Take, O Take
2. When Icicles Hang by the Wall
3. Orpheus with his Lute
To Daffodils (1895) – Bethan Ellsmore
Poem by Robert Herrick (1591-1674)
Excerpts from Seven Songs from The Pilgrims Progress (pre-1951)
No 1. Watchful’s Song – Liane Keegan
No. 4 – The Song of the Leaves of Life & the Water of Life – Bethan & Juel
No. 5 – The Song of Vanity Fair – Naomi Sumers
No. 6 – The Woodcutter’s Song – Juel Riggall
No. 7 – The Bird’s Song – Juel Riggall
Text from The King James Bible [1, 4, 7], John Bunyan
(1628-1688) [6] and Ursula Vaughan Williams (1911 – 2007) [5]
Five Mystical Songs (1906-11) – Liane Keegan
Poems by George Herbert 1593-1633
1. Easter
2. I got me Flowers
3. Love bade me welcome
4. The Call
5. Antiphon

Episode 10 Of The Voice Detective Show with Mariano Rubinacci

In the world of high-class bespoke tailoring, Mariano Rubinacci combines a long family tradition of elegant, comfortable tailoring with the indisputable eye of an artist. He just doesn’t produce artisan clothing, but adds another dimension to the world of intelligent, aesthetic and well-considered fashion.

Mariano took over the family tailoring firm at the very young age of 18 in 1961 after his father died. He learned one might say, by doing. His eye for a good profile, the way clothing should enhance the ‘bella figura’ of a client, and the informed advice he provided, continued the fine tradition embodied in the Rubinacci name. His father, who had started the firm in 1930, had been sartorial arbiter to Neapolitan society, and decided to start producing clothing for his friends and acquaintances, importing the finest wools and silks. Mariano and now his son Luca, continue this tradition. His other children too are involved intimately with the house of Rubinacci.

Just like his father before him, Mariano has tailored the most beautiful clothing for a virtual who’s who of the world of the arts, culture and politics.

Mariano is a proud Neapolitan. He feels in his being a Neapolitan wherever he is. The Neapolitan tradition of fine tailoring and style is what he seeks to bring to the wider world. To quote Mariano himself, ‘Leaving Naples to stay in Naples. Selling Naples throughout the world. This is one of my greatest aspirations. To make others understand our aesthetic sense.’

Today, the house of Rubinacci is found in Naples, Milan and London.

Episode 9 Of The Voice Detective Show with Melissa Tran, Chartered Physiotherapist, UK

Melissa is a musculoskeletal and orthopaedic physiotherapist, qualified from Brunel University with almost 10 years of experience. She specialises in chronic pain following 20 years of practicing sports & remedial massages, with emphasis on injury management and rehabilitation.

Apart from providing treatments, Melissa has been a personal trainer and strength & conditioning coach with almost two decades of experience, knowledge and skill to help clients with general fitness goals and wellness coaching, to sports specific training including nutritional guidance. She has worked with people from all different backgrounds; children, the elderly to professional athletes including Charlton Football Club. Most recently, she worked as physiotherapist to Michael McKinson, who is currently ranked UK No.1 WBO Welterweight boxer.

Throughout the years of working in the health & fitness industry, she has acquired vast experience as a health consultant. Patients have often described Melissa as a magician when it comes to treating pain and fixing associated problems. Many have even extended their confidence and compliment to her service by quoting, “If Melissa can’t fix you – nobody can!”

She is registered with The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and The Health Care Professional Council ( HCPC). Melissa is also a qualified acupuncturist following a course completed with Hertfordshire University.

Episode 8 Of The Voice Detective Show: Honoring Giacomo Puccini 100 Years on November 29, 2024

Giacomo Puccini needs no introduction for lovers of opera. Born in Lucca to the west of Florence, like Mozart, another great composer of operas, Giacomo was from a family of professional musicians employed by the Church. Indeed going back to his great grandfather, also named Giacomo, the director of male line had held the position of Maestro di Capella in the Cathedral of Lucca.

This year on the 29 November though we celebrate the 100th anniversary of his death. He was a thoroughly modern man, enamoured of automobiles, the latest technologies, and contemporary lifestyle. It’s hard to believe it, but he composed only 12 operas, which are of such outstanding quality in terms of music and dramatic content, that his reputation as one of the greatest opera composers is secure on such a slender opus. No opera house it would seem can have a season without some of Puccini’s masterpieces being performed. And the ability he had, to combine words and music with emotional effect are exceptional. If Orpheus had the ability to tame wild beasts, cause rocks to move, and even influence the gods, then Puccini must surely come a close second in his ability to move the hardest hearts with his soul-piercing arias. It would be difficult to find a man that doesn’t want to sing nessun dorma or a woman who is not inspired to try to sing visi d’arte.

Once his financial security was assured, Puccini lived at Torre del Lago until his final years. Here he indulged his passions for hunting, the simple life, and wrote many of his most memorable opera scores. And here too, one may visit his villa on the shores of the lake and savour some of the gentle atmosphere of the place that he called home. And here too, each Summer there is a Puccini Festival which draws opera lovers, Puccini fans and musicians from all over the world.

Episode 7 Part 2 of The Voice Detective Show with Garth McLean

Garth McLean, is a Canadian actor, author, and a dedicated practitioner and highly respected Senior teacher of Iyengar yoga living in Los Angeles, U.S.A.
Garth’s acting credits include the Hollywood films Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, Prototype, Rockin’ Road Trip and Chicago Hope.
Having been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1996, Garth manages his condition and his hectic acting and yoga teaching schedule with a daily practice of Iyengar Yoga as presented by the late Yoga master, Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar.
Garth is a leading light in the world Iyengar community and the Iyengar family in Pune, India where since 2000, he returns annually to study and deepen his practice. He learned yoga directly from both the late B.K.S. Iyengar himself, and his eldest daughter Geeta.
As a teacher of yoga, he is a senior level Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher “CIYT” (Level 3 – Intermediate Sr III), a Certified Yoga Therapist and Approved Professional Development Provider with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT), and a Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500) and Continuing Education Provider (YACEP) with yoga alliance.
In 2019, Garth was honoured to serve as the headline Iyengar Yoga teacher at the World Yoga Festival. In addition to this, that same year, he was a presenter and plenary speaker at the International Association of Yoga Therapists Symposium of Yoga Therapy and Research (SYTAR).
Garth has served as a guest teacher at the France Iyengar Yoga Teachers’ Convention (2009), the Spain Iyengar Yoga Teachers’ Convention (2011), and more recently is a co presenter at the European Congress of Rehabilitation and Medicine in Slovenia (April 2024).
He teaches yoga intensives locally and globally. In addition to regular intensives, he offers workshops on the positive effect of yoga on multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions. He regularly offers workshops in Europe, the UK, and South America. He has also taught in Australia, Russia Federation and Tunisia.
He is a co-founder and current board faculty member of the Iyengar Yoga Therapeutics group, a non-profit organisation based in Los Angeles whose mission is to helping people manage diseases and conditions through the therapeutic applications of yoga. Garth serves on the advisory board and is a faculty member of AnuYoga, a non-profit organisation (Tel Aviv), that facilitates the integration of Iyengar Yoga as a therapeutic intervention for patient rehabilitative care in hospitals and the medical field.
He has published Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis, A Practical Guide for People with Multiple Sclerosis and Yoga Teachers, (Singing Dragon Books, London 2020).
In last month’s Episode 7 Part One ‘Iyengar Yoga for (Dis)Abilities’, Garth tells Gyaan about his journey with Multiple Sclerosis and how Iyengar Yoga has helped him keep his condition in remission…
In this month’s Episode 7 Part Two, ‘Garth McLean’s Acting Journey Insights’, Garth will talk about his experience in acting and performing. His experience as a student of acting included working with Sanford Meisner in New York at his Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. More recently, he has written and performed a one-person show entitled, Looking For Lightning, about his journey which he performed live at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (2018). More about Looking for Lightning can be found at www.lookingforlightning.com

Episode 7 Part 1 of The Voice Detective Show with Garth McLean

Garth McLean, is a Canadian actor, author, and a dedicated practitioner and highly respected teacher of yoga living in Los Angeles, U.S.A.
Blessed in his own words with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 1996, and having navigated many of the the symptoms associated with the condition, Garth manages his course of MS and a hectic schedule with a daily practice of Iyengar Yoga as presented by Yoga master, Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar.
Garth is a leading light in the world Iyengar community and the Iyengar family in Pune, India where since 2000, he returns annually to study and deepen his practice. He learned yoga directly from both B.K.S. Iyengar himself, and his eldest daughter Geeta.
As a teacher of yoga, he is a senior level Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher “CIYT” (Level 3 – Intermediate Sr III), a Certified Yoga Therapist and Approved Professional Development Provider with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT), and a Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500) and Continuing Education Provider (YACEP) with yoga alliance.
In 2019, Garth was honoured to serve as the headline Iyengar Yoga teacher at the World Yoga Festival. In addition to this, that same year, he was a presenter and plenary speaker at the International Association of Yoga Therapists Symposium of Yoga Therapy and Research (SYTAR).
Garth has served as a guest teacher at the France Iyengar Yoga Teachers’ Convention (2009), the Spain Iyengar Yoga Teachers’ Convention (2011), and more recently is a co presenter at the European Congress of Rehabilitation and Medicine in Slovenia (April 2024).
He teaches yoga intensives locally and globally. In addition to regular intensives, he offers workshops on the positive effect of yoga on multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions. He regularly offers workshops in Europe, the UK, and South America. He has also taught in Australia, Russia Federation and Tunisia.
He is a co-founder and current board faculty member of the Iyengar Yoga Therapeutics group, a non-profit organisation based in Los Angeles whose mission is to helping people manage diseases and conditions through the therapeutic applications of yoga. Garth serves on the advisory board and is a faculty member of AnuYoga, a non-profit organisation (Tel Aviv), that facilitates the integration of Iyengar Yoga as a therapeutic intervention for patient rehabilitative care in hospitals and the medical field.
He has published Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis, A Practical Guide for People with Multiple Sclerosis and Yoga Teachers, (Singing Dragon Books, London 2020).
In this month’s Episode 7 Part One ‘Iyengar Yoga for (Dis)Abilities’, Garth tells Gyaan about his journey with Multiple Sclerosis and how Iyengar Yoga has helped him keep his condition in remission…
In next month’s Episode 7 Part Two, ‘Garth McLean’s Journey as an Actor’, Garth will talk about his experience in acting and performing. His experience as a student of acting included working with Sanford Meisner in New York. More recently, he has written and performed a one-person show entitled, Looking For Lightning, about his journey which he performed live at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (2018).