L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2025 www.italoamericano.org 18 L'Italo-Americano T h e h i s t o r y o f C a n z o n e Napoletana is fully tied to the c u l t u r a l a n d m u s i c a l d e v e l o p m e n t o f Naples, a city known for its lively traditions and culture. The starting point of what w e c a l l t o d a y C a n z o n e Napoletana can be identi- fied in the early 19th centu- ry, and developed through the following two centuries to become not only a popular genre of its own, but also the inspiration for contemporary musica leggera italiana. As said, the roots of tradi- tional Neapolitan music can be traced back to the early 19th century, more specifi- cally the 1830s, around the time of the Festa di Piedi- grotta, a major music festi- val held annually in Naples. The event became an impor- tant platform for local song- writers and street perform- e r s , k n o w n a s posteggiatori, who would gather to perform their com- p o s i t i o n s i n f r o n t o f t h e Festa's public. The songs p e r f o r m e d w e r e o f t e n i n Neapolitan dialect, and this m a d e t h e g e n r e w i d e l y accessible, particularly to the working-class citizens of the c i t y . A s m o r e m u s i c i a n s started to write specifically f o r t h e f e s t i v a l , C a n z o n e Napoletana grew into a key part of the city's cultural identity. Throughout the 19th cen- t u r y , N e a p o l i t a n s o n g s gained significant populari- ty, not just in Naples, but across Italy and even abroad, with iconic pieces like 'O Sole Mio by Ernesto De Cur- tis and Funiculì Funiculà by Luigi Denza becoming global h i t s : w i t h t h e i r e m o t i v e m e l o d i e s a n d b e a u t i f u l lyrics, these songs entered the minds and hearts of the a u d i e n c e q u i c k l y a n d became symbols of Italian culture in foreign countries. P e r f o r m e r s l i k e E n r i c o Caruso helped introduce Neapolitan music to interna- tional audiences, making the genre a staple in opera hous- es and concert halls around the world. As the 20th century pro- gressed, the style of Canzone Napoletana kept evolving. The 1950s and 1960s saw a resurgence in its popularity, with artists like Roberto Murolo and Sergio Bruni breathing new life into tradi- t i o n a l N e a p o l i t a n s o n g s , combining elements of jazz, blues, and popular music w i t h c l a s s i c N e a p o l i t a n melodies to create a sound that was at once traditional a n d f r e s h . T h e f u s i o n o f these styles marked a turn- i n g p o i n t f o r t h e g e n r e , which ultimately ensured its survival through changing musical tastes. However, by the 1970s, the influence of traditional Canzone Napoletana began t o w a n e a s n e w m u s i c a l m o v e m e n t s a n d g e n r e s emerged; this shift in musi- cal preferences led to the b i r t h o f N e o m e l o d i c o , a g e n r e t h a t c o m b i n e d t h e emotional depth of Neapoli- tan music with modern pop influences. Artists like Nino D ' A n g e l o a n d M a r i o Merola were at the fore- f r o n t o f t h i s m o v e m e n t . N e o m e l o d i c o m u s i c w a s characterized by its heartfelt lyrics, often dealing with themes of love, family, and the struggles of everyday l i f e , a n d w h i l e i t s t i l l r e t a i n e d t h e e m o t i o n a l power of Canzone Napole- tana, it also embraced con- temporary sounds, making it more accessible to younger audiences. N e o m e l o d i c o q u i c k l y became popular, especially in Southern Italy, and espe- cially among the working- class communities of Naples and the surrounding areas, because it often reflected their lives and experiences. The genre's ability to speak to the emotions of everyday people in a modern context allowed it to thrive, not only in Italy but among Italian communities abroad. Cru- cially, the neomelodico style also helped bring Neapolitan music back into the main- s t r e a m , a l b e i t i n a m o r e commercialized form, with c r o w d - p l e a s e r s l i k e G i g i D'Alessio today filling the largest arenas in the coun- try. But Canzone Napoletana also played a crucial role in shaping the broader land- s c a p e o f I t a l i a n p o p u l a r music, particularly musica leggera (Italian pop music). The rise of musica leggera in the post-World War II era was heavily influenced by the melodic structures and l y r i c a l t h e m e s f o u n d i n N e a p o l i t a n s o n g s , w i t h which they shared catchy tunes and simple, relatable l y r i c s . I t w a s i n N a p l e s ' musical tradition that Italy's 1 9 6 0 s p o p , t h e m u s i c o f young Italian baby boomers, found its roots. As artists like Adriano Celentano and Mina embraced these traditions, they helped bring Neapolitan influences into the wider world of Italian pop, merg- ing traditional melodies with the sounds of rock and jazz. Today, Canzone Napole- tana continues to influence Italian music, both through i t s d i r e c t l e g a c y i n Neomelodico and its broader impact on popular music, w i t h m o d e r n a r t i s t s s t i l l drawing inspiration from the m e l o d i e s a n d e m o t i o n a l e x p r e s s i v e n e s s o f t h e Neapolitan tradition. Cer- tainly, the genre evolved and adapted over time, but its e s s e n c e r e m a i n s l a r g e l y intact, including its ability to evoke deep emotions, tell stories of love and loss, and reflect the very soul of beau- tiful Naples. There is another impor- t a n t a s p e c t t o t a k e i n t o account when talking about Canzone Napoletana, that i s , t h e w a y i t b e c a m e a n identifier for Italians around the world, both in pre- and post-World War II times. Some of our Italian-Ameri- can friends and families may have dreamed of Italy listen- ing to a Caruso recording of ' O S o l e M i o , w h i l e 1 9 7 0 s Italian Americans may have preferred a more modern take on the tradition, per- h a p s t h r o u g h t h e h y b r i d b e a u t y o f M u r o l o ' s j a z z y tunes. Whichever the style or the a r t i s t , t h e t r u t h i s t h a t Naples and its music made the connection between Italy and its children scattered all over the world stronger and even more cherished than it once was. C a n z o n e N a p o l e t a n a : A m u s i c a l journey from roots to neomelodico LUCA SIGNORINI A group of traditional Canzone Napoletana performers (I-Stock) LIFE PEOPLE PLACES EVENTS

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