South Regional Library In cooperation with South West Florida Italian 0pera Society And Bellini Opera Theatre

Presents The History of the Neapolitan Song Songs interpreted by the three super tenors, Enrico Caruso, Mario Lanza and Luciano Pavarotti. 'A MUSICA NAPULITANA Presented by Dino Valle, Artistic Director SW Florida Italian Opera and Bellini Opera Theatre

Presents The History of the Neapolitan Song A Typical Neighborhood and The Dance, the Tarantella

NaplesNaples has played an important and vibrant role over the centuries not just in the music of Italy, but in the general history of western European musical traditions. This influence extends from the early music conservatories in the 16th century through the music of Alessandro Scarlatti during the Baroque period and the comic operas of Pergolesi, Piccinni and, eventually, Rossini and Mozart. The vitality of Neapolitan popular music from the late 19th century has made such songs as 'O Sole mio and Funiculì Funiculà a permanent part of our musical consciousness. Luciano Pavarotti won the 1980 Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Performance for his rendition of 'O Sole Mio.music of ItalyAlessandro Scarlatti Baroquecomic operasPergolesi PiccinniRossiniMozartO Sole mio Funiculì FuniculàLuciano Pavarotti Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Performance

Santa Lucia The song was written by Teodoro Cottrau and published in Naples in Cottrau himself translated it into Italian during the Risorgimento, making it the first Neapolitan song translated into Italian. A gesture to unify Italy, not only geographically, but also literally. The lyrics celebrate the picturesque district of Saint Lucia on the bay of Naples. The song became a national and international hit and was interpreted by famous performers as Enrico Caruso (1916) and Elvis Presley (1957).

Funiculì, Funiculà" is a famous Neapolitan song written by Italian journalist Peppino Turco and set to music by Italian composer Luigi Denza in It was composed to commemorate the opening of the first funicular cable car on Mount Vesuvius. The 1880 cable car was later destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in The song was sung for the first time in the Quisisana Hotel in Castellammare di Stabia and met with huge success. It was presented by Turco and Denza at the Piedigrotta festival during the same year. Edward Oxenford, an English songwriter and translator of libretti, published a version which became somewhat traditional in English-speaking countries.ItalianPeppino TurcoLuigi Denza funicularMount VesuviusCastellammare di StabiaPiedigrotta

O sole mio" is a globally known Neapolitan song written in It was made popular by Enrico Caruso, Beniamino Gigli, Mario Lanza, The Canadian Tenors, and The Three Tenors, as well as rock/pop artists such as Bryan Adams, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Vitas (who sings it in a high countertenor range), Al Bano, and Elvis Presley (It's Now or Never). Luciano Pavarotti won the 1980 Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Performance for his rendition of 'O Sole Mio. Though there are versions in other languages, 'O sole mio is usually sung in the original Neapolitan language. 'O sole mio is the Neapolitan equivalent of Standard Italian Il sole mio and translates literally as "My Sun" (not "Oh My Sun").Neapolitan songEnrico Caruso Beniamino GigliMario LanzaThe Canadian TenorsThe Three TenorsBryan AdamsMe First and the Gimme Gimmes VitascountertenorAl BanoElvis PresleyIt's Now or NeverLuciano PavarottiGrammy Award for Best Classical Vocal PerformanceNeapolitan language

1. Cottrau, Santa Lucia 2. DEsposito, Anema e Core 3. De Curtis, Torna a Surrento 4. Di Capua, O Sole Mio 5. Toto, Malafemmena 6. Gambardella, OMarenariello 7. Cardillo, Core ngrato 8. Denza, Funiculi Funicula.. PROGRAM

Cottrau, Santa Lucia It is stated that Saint Lucy, Protector of the eyes was also the protector of a bay in Naples, Santa Lucia, named after the Saint. She was a type of light house. It was the first Neapolitan song translated to Italian.

Cottrau, Santa Lucia The original Text reads: (NAP) « Comme se frícceca la luna chiena!NAP lo mare ride, ll'aria è serena... E' pronta e lesta la varca mia... Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!t Stu viento frisco fa risciatare: chi vo' spassarse jenno pe mmare? Vuje che facite 'mmiezo a la via? Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia! La tènna è posta pe fa' 'na cena; e quanno stace la panza chiena non c'è la mínema melanconia. Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia! » (IT) « Sul mare luccica l'astro d'argento;IT placida è l'onda, The moon shines over the sea prospero il vento. The Wind is Prosperus Venite all'agile And the Waves are calm barchetta mia! Come in my little Boat Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia Santa Lucia! Con questo zeffiro With this Zepher(Wind) così soave so calm and gentle oh com'è bello How Beautiful it is star sulla nave! To be in my little boat Su passaggeri, Come on Passengers venite via! Come To Santa Lucia Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia! In fra le tende Under the Canopy bandir la cena supper is ready in una sera in a serene evening così serena Is there anyone who chi non dimanda, doesnt desire something chi non desia? Like this Santa Lucia, Oh Sweet Napes oh Pleasant place, God smiled upon you- you are the greatest place on earth

DEsposito, Anema e Core

De Curtis, Torna a Surriento

Di Capua, O Sole Mio

Toto, Malafemmena

Gambardella, OMarenariello

Cardillo, Core ngrato Caruso singing Core ngrato

Denza, Funiculi Funicula

Bellini Opera Theatre of Michigan Dino Valle, Artistic Director, Giuliano Zuccato, Sculptor of the Bellini Statue Kathy Valle, Technical Expert Vincenzo Bellini