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
Presents
“The History of the Neapolitan Song”
A Typical Neighborhood and The
Dance, the Tarantella
Naples 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.
Santa Lucia”
The song was written by Teodoro Cottrau and
published in Naples in 1849. 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 1880. 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 1944. 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.
“O sole mio" is a globally known Neapolitan song
written in 1898. 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").
PROGRAM
1. Cottrau, Santa Lucia
2. D’Esposito, Anema e Core
3. De Curtis, Torna a Surrento
4. Di Capua, O’ Sole Mio
5. Toto, Malafemmena
6. Gambardella, O’Marenariello
7. Cardillo, Core ngrato
8. Denza, Funiculi’ Funicula
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!
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;
placida è l'onda,
prospero il vento.
Venite all'agile
barchetta mia!
Santa Lucia,
Santa Lucia!
The moon shines over the sea
The Wind is Prosperus
And the Waves are calm
Come in my little Boat
Santa Lucia
Con questo zeffiro
così soave
oh com'è bello
star sulla nave!
Su passaggeri,
venite via!
Santa Lucia,
Santa Lucia!
With this Zepher(Wind)
so calm and gentle
How Beautiful it is
To be in my little boat
Come on Passengers
Come To Santa Lucia
In fra le tende
bandir la cena
in una sera
così serena
chi non dimanda,
chi non desia?
Santa Lucia,
Under the Canopy
supper is ready
in a serene evening
Is there anyone who
doesn’t desire something
Like this
Oh Sweet Napes oh Pleasant place, God smiled
upon you- you are the greatest place on earth
D’Esposito, Anema e Core
De Curtis, Torna a Surriento
Di Capua, O’ Sole Mio
Toto, Malafemmena
Gambardella, O’Marenariello
Cardillo, Core ngrato
Caruso singing Core ‘ngrato
Denza, Funiculi’ Funicula
Vincenzo Bellini
Bellini Opera Theatre of
Michigan
Dino Valle, Artistic Director,
Giuliano Zuccato ,
Sculptor of the Bellini Statue
Kathy Valle, Technical Expert