Italy

The Sounds of Romance

Picture a romantic night at a corner street restaurant listening to a man with his accordion. That image is the purest definition of Italy. The romance and the passion that fill the simplest of Italian compositions is overwhelming. 

Like many countries, Italian musicians are adopting more and more electronics in their popular music, overproducing their songs and doing a poor job of it. However, other current musicians are holding true to their Italian musical roots. The instrumentals in Italian music are essential to experience the country’s warmth and beauty. Strings and woodwind instruments are very popular in Italian music and add to its melodic nature.

When someone mentions Italian music, the first thing that comes to mind is most likely the opera. A traditional Italian form of entertainment, the opera has been going strong since the 16th century. Opera was such a heavy influence in Italy that it has become a feature for today’s popular Italian artists. 

Luciano Pavarotti is one of the first Italian tenors to bring opera into popular music. After singing in many operas and gaining recognition for his heavenly voice, Pavarotti began to sing in concerts with The Three Tenors. The trio was a small collection of exceptional operatic tenors, including Pavarotti and Spanish singers Plácido Domingo and José Carreras.

Although non-Italian speakers would not understand the lyrics, Italian songs are still so full of passion. I don’t know about you, but when I listen to Pavarotti, I feel like I’m starring in my own romantic drama. The story that the vivacious instrumentals tell makes having lyrics almost unnecessary.

Andrea Bocelli

Having one of the most recognizable tenor voices, the Tuscany born Andrea Bocelli has frequently been called the most beautiful singer in the world. With the obvious operatic influences in his music, Bocelli became a pop sensation in 1995.

Bocelli became blind at the age of seven, but that didn’t stop him from pursuing his biggest passion. Bocelli can proficiently play eight different instruments as well as master the voice of an angel. 

The singer’s career began when the Italian rockstar Zucchero had tenor auditions, planning to give Pavarotti the spot. Pavarotti, however, heard the tape that Bocelli sent in, and asked him to sing the song Zucchero wrote. Pavarotti himself said that “there is no one finer” than Bocelli. The newly recognized artist then performed with the notable Pavarotti, earning him the name, “the fourth tenor.” 

Bocelli released his debut album in 1994 called Il Mare Calmo della Sera, which quickly went platinum. 

His next album held what came to be his most recognizable and widely used song. The title, “Con te Partirò,” translates  to “Time to Say Goodbye.” The song, which was originally written by Francesco Sartori and Lucio Quarantotto, topped charts in various countries. “Con te Partirò" is frequently presented in films and television shows, as well as sporting events.

Since his debut, Bocelli has recorded 22 albums and has performed in nine opera performances. The singer has earned countless music awards and has toured all over the world. 

Over the years, Bocelli’s fame has unfortunately caused him to become more Americanized. The singer has collaborated with American artists like Christina Aguilera and has earned a number of American music awards. 

Bocelli also began recording some songs in English. He even made a remake of “Con te Partirò,” which is sung partly in English and is a duet with Sarah Brightman. 

Andrea Bocelli is still going strong in his career today. His most recent album, My Christmas, was released in 2009. The album was the singer’s first holiday album, and it became the best-selling holiday album of the year.  My Christmas features both Italian and English songs, but has a predominantly American feel to it.

Although Bocelli’s music has become so dominated by American pop culture, his Italian roots will always be what achieved him fame in the first place. 

Bocelli's dramatic voice over a passionate string symphony still fosters in me a warmth and enthusiasm that no singer has ever achieved.