This Is Italy
The classic Neapolitan song is a romantic ballad, sung with great passion. It dates from the early 19th century and the first song recognizes 'Te voglio bene assaie' (I love you very much).
Unintelligible
Neapolitan is a dialect that is sometimes unintelligible to the rest of the Italians. Partly because of this, this Neapolitan tradition was able to grow so much. But unlike our regional music in dialect, Neapolitan song spread throughout the world.
Naples has a long tradition with music. According to tradition, one of the sirens from Homer's Odyssey once washed ashore where Naples is now. Emperor Nero also played at a music festival that still exists to this day.
The Neapolitan song is a fervently sung song about love, with roots in the region and often references to the city and the harsh reality of the day of the common man.
The song of life
In the raw city on the Bay of Naples, there is a tradition of telling life through songs. Well-known interpreters are Nino d'Angelo, Gigi Finizio, Sal da Vinci, Gigi d'Alessio and Pino Daniele. It could very well be that the now so popular 'singer-songwriter' genre was born here.
Neapolitan songs are widely distributed
Neapolitan children are still taught the music from their native region. But the music is also widespread among those who do not live in Italy's most musical city. Neapolitan songs are still performed all over the world. Not least in America, where there is a large Neapolitan community. For example, in the Italian neighborhood of Little Italy in New York. But these songs are still sung in the far corners of America.
Of course, the Neapolitan song still lives under the smoke of the volcano. Singers of the songs have influenced many musicians with their music. The song 'O sole mio', which dates from the end of the 19th century, is of course well known. Other well-known songs are 'Santa Lucia' and 'Torna a Surriento'.
Videos of Neapolitan songs can be found here.
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