London-based Sicilian-English artist Carmelo Alfano is preparing to release his lead single, “Is This You?”, on 1 September 2026. The release marks a new chapter in a career that has encompassed performing, acting and television sound engineering. Behind it is a musical history stretching from London’s live circuit to classical vocal training in Italy, alongside family commitments that have shaped his professional life.
Alfano’s earliest musical influence was his father, an accomplished amateur tenor with a passion for opera. As a child, Carmelo was encouraged to sit and listen to recordings of Beniamino Gigli, sometimes without understanding why they mattered so much. His father’s assurance that he would understand one day stayed with him. After initially exploring acting, Alfano took voice lessons and eventually spent two years studying in Modena with a teacher who had also taught Luciano Pavarotti.
His subsequent career brought together traditional performance and technological experimentation. His band, Alfano, supported James Blunt, briefly shared his management and played at many of London’s well-known music venues. More than 20 years ago, Carmelo also streamed a live London gig over a dial-up connection. The event attracted a Sky News crew, and footage remains available on YouTube.
Family responsibilities later interrupted his career. When his children moved to New Zealand, Alfano visited them twice a year for 15 years; both now live with him. He regards learning the skills necessary to become musically self-sufficient, and refusing to give up, as his greatest professional achievement. With “Is This You?” approaching, that persistence provides the context for his return to the release calendar.