 THE STARS |
| Neapolitan musical history is packed with renowned figures who have contributed to spreading its qualities and values all over the world. Figures like Caruso, Di Capua and Totò, not to mention Elvis Presley, Capurro and Modugno, are just some of the stars who have been part of this age-old musical scenario. Without neglecting to mention the efforts of actors, poets, artists and producers , who will be introduced in depth during the exhibition. |
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| Eduardo di Capua |
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Traditionally, Eduardo Di Capua is said to have been on tour in Russia when he wrote the music for “’O sole mio!”. The lyrics had been written by Di Capua’s friend Giovanni Capurro, who gave them to him before he left for the tour, and the simple words brimming with homesickness, inspired the notes for the song, which made him famous, but during his lifetime what was to become a planetary success never brought him any profit. |
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| Giovanni Capurro |
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Giovanni Capurro, journalist, poet, mimic and musician, was the man who was inspired to write the famous words. He was already the author of other well-known songs like “Carmela ‘e San Sivero”, “’O Pizzaijuolo nuovo”, “’A vongola” and “Catarì!”, but today he is remembered chiefly for asking Eduardo Di Capua to set the lyrics for “’O sole mio!”to music. Like Di Capua, he died in poverty despite the success of the song. |
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| Elvis Presley |
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Rock’s great legend, the artist who transformed the way desires and passions were expressed in music. Before being dragged into the show business mire from which he never emerged, Elvis “The King” Presley recorded “It’s Now or Never”, the most successful version ever of “’O sole mio!” Elvis’ voice cast extra depth into the song and gave the Di Capua legend the added charm of international prestige. |
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| Totò |
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Italy’s “Prince of Laughter”, the quintessential Neapolitan and one of the greatest Italian actors of all time. 1898, the year “'O sole mio!” was written, was also the year when the mythical Totò was born. Of course, this comic actor enjoyed a fantastic rapport with Parthenopean music and, above all, Totò’s recording of “Malafemmena” imprinted his voice forever on the musical history of his city. However, in the exhibition dedicated to “'O sole mio!”, the avatar of the “Prince of Laughter” acts as a special narrator reminiscing about all the other extraordinary events that occurred in this remarkable year. |
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| Enrico Caruso |
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History’s finest tenor, rebuffed by Italy early on, was later voted the “Tenorissimo” of all time by New York Metropolitan Opera House. He was the first opera singer to cut records and the success of his legendary “Rigoletto” was so enormous that it drove the development of the revolutionary sound reproduction system that had been inexplicably snubbed by other artists. On his return to Naples, where he died, he cut an astonishing 22 records and his voice became a legacy of the city. |
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| Domenico Modugno |
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The composer of “Volare”, second only to “’O sole mio!” as far as famous songs go. Domenico Modugno is now considered the founder of the Italian singer-songwriter school, and rightly one of the greatest performers in European music. In his parallel acting career, he performed “’O sole mio!” in Alessandro Blasetti’s film “Europa di notte”. |
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