When Patrizio Buanne walked on stage at the Benedum Center Thursday night, his charismatic presence shot through the hall like a lightning bolt.

The 28-year-old Italian baritone presented a program of mostly American and Italian standards with some new pop tunes to an adoring sold-out crowd, ranging from 8 to 87 years old.

Buanne, who was introduced to American audiences a little more than a year ago through PBS via WQED television, kicked off the evening with "A Man Without Love" from his freshman disc, "The Italian." A quick follow-up with "Come Prima," and the crooner quickly showed off his vocal chops.

The crowd sang along and clapped to favorites "An Evening in Roma," "Parla Piu Piano" (the theme from "The Godfather") and "Volare." He spent most of "Bella, Bella, Signora," passing out roses to fans -- as cliche as this may sound, his eagerness to please and give back to the audience comes across as truly genuine.

His magnanimity extended to members of his talented band, including members of the Pittsburgh Chamber Orchestra. At one point during the show, he asked the musicians to join him downstage to allow the audience to take photographs.

In an instant, it was as if the paparazzi had arrived, and blinding camera flashes, including the senior set clicking away with their cell-phone cameras, filled the darkened hall.

A medley of favorites from Dean Martin, Elvis Presley and Tom Jones, including "Hound Dog" and "Don't be Cruel," brought back images of early Presley. An earlier medley of songs from Naples, Italy, showed Buanne's command of both musical genres in both presentation and delivery.

His baritone certainly follows in the steps of the musical greats he emulates.

A preview of "Forever Begins Tonight," the title song from his next release, shows Buanne moving toward a more contemporary sound.

Buanne finished the show with "Il Mondo" and then an encore performance of the catchy tune "Home to Mamma," and the audience enthusiastically clapped to the very end.