There is a popular song here in Israel that goes something like this:

“My dentist has a secret life. He drives a tank. The kindergarten teacher is a paramedic. The clerk at the bank guards the border and my lawyer is an operations manager. The owner of the toy store commands a battalion…we are a country of superheroes.”

And so it goes. Life during wartime.

Stas Davidov, as most other men between the ages of 22-45, serves in the Reserves of the Israeli Defense Forces, fighting both in Gaza and Lebanon since the war began. In his other life, he is a tenor. Recently, a video clip went viral here featuring Stas in his uniform while in Gaza singing for his unit. “Usually I don’t sing in the army. I have to give full focus to the job at hand. And there is no time for that. But one day my friends wanted me to sing for them. And so I did. It gave them hope and peace and elevated the entire spirit of the unit.” He, too, is one of our superheroes.

Stas was born in Russia 35 years ago. After the fall of the Soviet Union, he immigrated to Israel with his family when he was only 5. He has always loved music and has been singing all his life. When he was a young teen, Stas had dreams of being a rock star, but all that changed when he discovered Classical music. After his mandatory army service, Stas studied voice at the Jerusalem Academy of Music, receiving his Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Vocal Arts. After auditioning and being accepted into the Studio Meitar Program, Stas enjoyed his time a member of the Israel Opera Young Artists program for two years.

From roles in operas like Don Giovanni, Tosca, and La Bohème to Gianni Schicci, and from his singing in French, Spanish, German, and Italian as well as Russian and Hebrew, Stas soon found his passion: the Napolitan style of songs from Italy. Stas’ love for the emotion and drama of Italian music intensified during his first trip to Italy as a tenor in the Piccolo Opera Festival in Trieste. He has since returned to Italy twice – he and his new wife honeymooned there; and afterwards, he was performing in Puglia.

Stas and his wife have three little children, the youngest born just one month ago. He teaches voice in addition to his singing career. Now working freelance, he has combined with a group of professional musicians to form an ensemble. Roi Dayaan is an amazing mandolin player who has won first prize in a competition in Japan. Roi is also the Director of the Music Conservatory of Eshkol, a city near the Gaza border. Tom Chadash was in the same army unit as Stas and plays upright bass. They were friends even before their army service. Aviad Alfassi is the percussionist. Yoni Garminder plays the guitar and Artum Nyejnik rounds out the group as a master of the accordion. Because they come from all parts of the country, their time together is precious. The group decides on new songs and arrangements and they all work together harmoniously.

After seeing the video of Stas singing to his troops while in Gaza, I knew we had to attend his live performance at a small studio recital hall in Tel Aviv last night. He did not disappoint! The strikingly handsome yound Davidov rapidly engaged the audience with a rousing rendition of “Funiculi Funicula.” He had everyone clapping and singing along. He accomplished something not all artist# are able to do – to connect with their audience immediately. With his “Torna a Surriento (Return to Surrento),” I was back in Italy, driving the Amalfi Coastline. His voice has the power to transport and transform.

Stas sings with full passion and emotion. His Italian pronunciation is impeccable. And the voice!!! A strong tenor with beautiful tone and great range. The selections in this ‘Napolitano Holiday’ varied from famous and popular Italian songs to operatic arias of Don Pasquale (Donizetti) and Pagliacci (Leoncavallo). Also included in the night of song were well-loved Israeli numbers. Again, the audience was captivated, at times clapping and singing along.

The back-up ensemble worked very well together. These talented professional musicians had a great chemistry. You could tell by watching and listening that they all enjoyed making music together and communicated effectively with one another. I only wish they they each were allowed a small solo or some sort of improvisational time. It would have been great to hear them individually.

After serenading us with the sounds of Italy, he moved to Russian. I suspect many in the crowd were from the Former Soviet Republic, because they seemed to know the songs performed. And then, of course, the Hebrew songs were performed. One absolutely gorgeous song was the older Hebrew ballad, “Yaffah Sheli,” or “My beauty – a gorgeous love song.

Try to understand and believe in me
I’ve loved no one besides you
I’ll give you peace of mind and the
stength to continue
Only let me live by your side

And wait, the night is still young
The city lights are coming on
There’s no more darkness
Look, the night is so lovely
It’s you I want
You shall be my bride

My beauty
All the words of love, I am going to bind with a ribbon
I’ll give them as a gift, and a rose as well
For you, I will forgot my weaknesses
My beauty
The violins will give you a different feeling
My eyes are closed
This love is blind
For you, I will give my life as well

As an encore, Davidov performed a beautiful ballad in Hebrew, “Zemer Ahavat haYam” which translated to a “Love Song for the Sea.” It is about a young naval officer who has been called back to sea. He misses his mother and his wife is expecting a baby. He is in great turmoil. He knows he had to leave his family, and wants to serve, but knows he could lose his life in the battle. “This is the story of our lives here,” states Davidov. It is the most moral conflict. We know we are called to serve our families and to be there for them; yet we must defend our country or all else would be lost. In the end, it is the only option: to fight for the Land we hold dear in our hearts. To fight to defend our wives and children and mothers. It really is not a difficult decision at all.” And so art here, mirrors life. We truly do have a nation of superheroes.

Stas Davidov is available for private hire. He loves singing weddings and other special events – solo, with piano accompaniment or with his band. Facebook: Stas Davidov – Tenor. Instagram: Stasdav