Davide Gaido
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Davide Gaido | |
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| Born | 1983 (age 42–43) Milan, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian-Australian |
| Other names | The Great Armando, Davide Kaufmann, David Key |
| Occupation | Magician, author |
| Years active | 2000–present |
Davide Gaido is an Italian-Australian magician and author who has gained recognition for his stage persona, The Great Armando, and his work showcasing modern Italian culture to Australian audiences through performances at festivals and cultural events. His work has been profiled in publications such as Vogue Italia and Il Globo, highlighting his unique approach to magic and cultural storytelling.
Career
Gaido began his performing career in Italy under the name David Key, later adopting the stage names Davide Kaufmann and ultimately The Great Armando as his presence expanded internationally.
He has performed at notable venues such as the Spiegeltent in Tasmania. and is a regular performer at the Melbourne Magic Festival, a significant event in the Australian magic scene, where he received the award for Best Kids Show in 2018
Gaido's work has garnered attention in the Italian and Australian press. In a July–August 2010 profile, L'Uomo Vogue highlighted his inventive performances for children, describing his blend of playful showmanship with serious technical skill.
Il Globo, an Italian-language newspaper in Australia, has featured Gaido multiple times. In a 2016 profile, he reflected on the cultural nuances of performing magic and comedy in Australia, stating, “Magic is, after all, a universal language”. In 2018, Il Globo previewed his Melbourne Magic Festival show Favole, emphasizing his use of lesser-known Italian fairy tales to create “a mystical atmosphere” and share stories “beyond the stereotypes”. A 2023 Il Globo profile further described his act as “dedicated to growth, mistakes, and the quiet magic of embracing imperfection”
In a 2019 interview on Joy 94.9’s Jacq and Dene, Gaido discussed his approach to blending illusion and storytelling under his former stage name, Davide Kaufmann, and how his multicultural background has shaped his performances.
Reviews of Gaido's performances, such as those in Taya Around Town, have noted his engaging stage presence. For example, one review described The Great Armando’s Suitcase of Magic as a display of “genuine warmth and childlike wonder”.while another praised his ability to “disarm and delight” audiences at the Melbourne Magic Festival
In 2024, Gaido appeared as The Great Armando on several episodes of SBS Radio’s Italian-language program, discussing his work as a magician in Australia, including developing a new persona for children’s shows and performing at events like the Festa della Repubblica using both Italian and English. In one interview, reflecting on "An Italian Magician at the Magic Festival," he emphasized the role of language, storytelling, and identity in connecting with audiences across cultures
He also founded the Italian-language online magic forum MagicSchool.it, which later became part of the broader Italian magic news portal Prestigiazione.it'.
Other Work
Gaido has contributed to Italian-language educational resources used in schools across Australia, including recordings for the widely used Parliamo Italiano Insieme language-learning series published by Cengage Learning.
In 2005, he published a nonfiction book titled Insomma, le cose andavanowhich explores the cultural and musical legacy of the prominent Italian rock musician Luciano Ligabue.
References
External links
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