Bel Canto Duo
Bel Canto Duo is the genre-defying collaboration between oboist and English hornist Darci Gamerl and cellist and looping artist David Downing. Based in the heartland of America, their music speaks directly to the spirit of the land—inviting listeners into soundscapes shaped by story, memory, and place. Drawing from classical tradition, improvisation, and healing music science, Bel Canto Duo creates immersive performances that reflect the emotional landscapes of rural and natural environments.
Their recent commissions include The Four Cather Tableaux, a multimedia work created for the National Willa Cather Center in celebration of Cather’s 150th anniversary. This piece blends original music with narrative and historical imagery, honoring the legacy of one of America’s most beloved literary voices. At Gallery 1516 in Omaha, Bel Canto Duo premiered Sacred Waters, a contemplative musical offering inspired by Nebraska’s rivers and watersheds, where looping cello and lyrical oboe weave together in meditative cycles. In 2025, they were awarded a residency at Chesterwood—the historic summer home and studio of sculptor Daniel Chester French—with a commission to follow their residency in 2026.
Whether performing in opera houses or on prairie stages, their work resonates deeply with audiences who value authenticity, artistic storytelling, and connection to place. With a unique combination of acoustic performance and live electronic looping, their sound is both intimate and expansive—mirroring the vast skies and quiet strength of the prairies. Bel Canto Duo continues to explore the intersection of music, memory, and well-being, inviting audiences to listen not only with their ears, but with their hearts.
Technical Requirements:
We require electricity, and a minimum of 66 degrees to perform indoors or outdoors. During outdoor summer conditions need to be under 95 degrees and not in direct sun.
Maximum Negotiable Fee: $5,000
Availability: We are flexible regarding booking of days, and the distance traveled given enough advance notice.
Virtual Option: The Four Cather Tableaux and Taking Flight: The 8th Wonder of World available as a short documentaries. Taking Flight is available for screenings & live score performances starting October 9, 2025.
Hire This ArtistReturn to Artist Roster