music of the era
The following YouTube videos are pieces of music that I refer to in the book or are favourites from that era.
"Vola Colomba" by Bixio Cherubini
One of the great songs of Italian post-war immigration. It won first prize at the Festival of San Remo, the second consecutive win for Nilla Pizzi, known as the queen of Italian song. When it was composed in 1952, the city of Trieste was still under Allied command. The song is sung by a man who has left Trieste and his sweetheart there, to find a better life. He imagines being a dove that will fly over the city, over the shipyards where he was happy at his job and, finally, over the iconic hilltop Church of San Giusto where he will see his sweetheart kneeling at the altar, praying for his return. Trieste was finally returned to Italy in 1954.
One of the great songs of Italian post-war immigration. It won first prize at the Festival of San Remo, the second consecutive win for Nilla Pizzi, known as the queen of Italian song. When it was composed in 1952, the city of Trieste was still under Allied command. The song is sung by a man who has left Trieste and his sweetheart there, to find a better life. He imagines being a dove that will fly over the city, over the shipyards where he was happy at his job and, finally, over the iconic hilltop Church of San Giusto where he will see his sweetheart kneeling at the altar, praying for his return. Trieste was finally returned to Italy in 1954.
“Faccetta Nera” (Little Black Face) – by Renato Micheli and Mario Ruccione.
This Fascist propaganda song celebrates the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935. In the song the Abyssinian girl is promised that she will become Roman and parade with the Black Shirts before the Duce and the King. It was Italy’s biggest hit in 1935. Because of its catchy tune, it remained popular until the early 40s. As early as 1936, the Fascist government no longer sanctioned the song and passed laws forbidding interracial marriage.
This Fascist propaganda song celebrates the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935. In the song the Abyssinian girl is promised that she will become Roman and parade with the Black Shirts before the Duce and the King. It was Italy’s biggest hit in 1935. Because of its catchy tune, it remained popular until the early 40s. As early as 1936, the Fascist government no longer sanctioned the song and passed laws forbidding interracial marriage.
Reginella Campagnola - Sung by Carlo Buti - Possibly the most popular of the period .
Vivere - Sung by Carlo Buti - A popular, upbeat, song of the Depression
Soli Soli Nella Notte - Sung by Gino Bechi. Another hit song of the Depression reminding the listener that, despite being penniless and hungry, there is always the song to lift your spirits.
MAMMA - Beniamino Gigli - 1940. A song familiar to every Italian.
"Imam Jednu Zelju" (I have a wish) - by Stanislav Binicki.
A haunting Serbian song of unrequited love. It was one of my father's favourite songs and he sang it beautifully in a soft mezza voce.
A haunting Serbian song of unrequited love. It was one of my father's favourite songs and he sang it beautifully in a soft mezza voce.
"Radetzky March" - by Johann Strauss I.
Johann Strauss I composed the March in 1849 to honour General Joseph Radetzky von Radetz's defeat of the Piemontese army in the Battle of Novara.
Johann Strauss I composed the March in 1849 to honour General Joseph Radetzky von Radetz's defeat of the Piemontese army in the Battle of Novara.
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La Campana Di San Giusto (The Bell of S. Giusto) - Sung by Luciano Pavarotti. About the return of the Trentino-Alto Adige , Venezia Giulia regions to Italy from the Austro-Hungarian empire.
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La Leggenda del Piave (The legend of the river Piave). Commemorating Italy's victory over Austria in World War I, it was briefly the national anthem of Italy from 1943 to 1946
"La Mula De Parenzo" - The girl from Parenzo (now Porec).
One of the most popular traditional folk songs from the Venezia Giulia region about a girl who set up shop and sold everything except salt cod (baccala'). Polenta e Baccala' is a staple dish of the region.
One of the most popular traditional folk songs from the Venezia Giulia region about a girl who set up shop and sold everything except salt cod (baccala'). Polenta e Baccala' is a staple dish of the region.
"Ancora un litro de quel bon" (Another litre of good wine). Traditional folk song of Venezia Giulia and Dalmatia.
A man, returning home from carousing with friends, finds the front door locked. He sings about wanting another litre of that good wine and finally tells his wife to throw the mattress out the window and he'll be happy to sleep on the street. It's sung here by the Klapa Boskarin. Klapa means simply a group of people, and nearly every city and town in Croatia boast of at least one klapa group.
A man, returning home from carousing with friends, finds the front door locked. He sings about wanting another litre of that good wine and finally tells his wife to throw the mattress out the window and he'll be happy to sleep on the street. It's sung here by the Klapa Boskarin. Klapa means simply a group of people, and nearly every city and town in Croatia boast of at least one klapa group.
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La Parenzana was the name of the popular train between Parenzo (Porec) and Trieste.
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Me Compare Giacometo - Another popular song of the region. Click on for translation
Da Trieste fino a Zara (From Trieste to Zadar). Sung by Lorenzo Pilat - Another popular folk song from the region.
Le Mule de Fiume (The Girls of Fiume), sung in the Fiuman dialect by Lidija Percan.
Anche le Pietre Parlano Italiano (Even the stones speak Italian).
LA MONTANARA (Song of the mountains)
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QUEL MAZZOLIN DI FIORI (That small bouquet) sung by Coro Valsella. A favourite sing-along folk song of northern Italy.
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SUL PONTE DI BASSANO (On the Bassano Bridge) - Another classic family sing-along song of Northern Italy.
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Se Vuoi Goder la Vita - from the film "Mamma" Sung by BENIAMINO GIGLI, Italy's favourite tenor of the time. A hit song of the 30's & 40's
PIEMONTESINA BELLA (Beautiful Piedmont Girl) sung by Aurelio Fierro.
"La Canzone Del Boscaiolo" (Song of the lumberjack) - By P. Barzizza & R. Morbelli. Sung by Federico Berti .
A popular song of the early 1940s. A typical Fascist era song glorifying the worker, this time a lumberjack coming home after a hard day's labour. Other songs were aimed at the farmer, the factory worker, the blacksmith, etc.
Linda and I met Federico Berti when we visited the hill town of Monghidoro, near Bologna, in 2008. We were treated to a fabulous impromptu concert.
A popular song of the early 1940s. A typical Fascist era song glorifying the worker, this time a lumberjack coming home after a hard day's labour. Other songs were aimed at the farmer, the factory worker, the blacksmith, etc.
Linda and I met Federico Berti when we visited the hill town of Monghidoro, near Bologna, in 2008. We were treated to a fabulous impromptu concert.
"Va Pensiero" (Fly my thoughts on golden wings) - From the opera Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi.
The unofficial Italian anthem.
The unofficial Italian anthem.
"Terra Straniera" - by E. Liberatti & M. Marletta
A nostalgic song sung by an immigrant to an Italy personified in the lover he left behind. He tells her that he no longer thinks of her and then goes on to list all the things that he no longer remembers about her; her beautiful eyes, her hair, her lovely lips. But every night he dreams of his humble house and of his ageing mother who still awaits his return.
The singer goes on to say that the love of country, and of one’s parents, is a consuming flame that burns away at the heart and that he will die of homesickness should he not see Italy again.
A nostalgic song sung by an immigrant to an Italy personified in the lover he left behind. He tells her that he no longer thinks of her and then goes on to list all the things that he no longer remembers about her; her beautiful eyes, her hair, her lovely lips. But every night he dreams of his humble house and of his ageing mother who still awaits his return.
The singer goes on to say that the love of country, and of one’s parents, is a consuming flame that burns away at the heart and that he will die of homesickness should he not see Italy again.
"Terra Lontana" - by Bixio Cherubini
A bittersweet song of parting. The lyrics tell of sailing to a distant land in search of a better future but always nostalgically thinking of homes, mothers and brides left behind.
A bittersweet song of parting. The lyrics tell of sailing to a distant land in search of a better future but always nostalgically thinking of homes, mothers and brides left behind.
"Pino Solitario" (The Lonesome Pine) - by Danpa & Panzuti.
A huge hit in 1945, this is a melancholy song of lost love.
A huge hit in 1945, this is a melancholy song of lost love.
"Ciuffetto" (Literal translation: "tuft of hair" but refers to a young street urchin). By Lao Schor. Sung by Carlo Buti.
The song is subtitled "Tango of abandonment" and is the sad story of a little boy having to fend for himself in the world. I am sure my father identified with the subject of the song; it was one of his favourites.
The song is subtitled "Tango of abandonment" and is the sad story of a little boy having to fend for himself in the world. I am sure my father identified with the subject of the song; it was one of his favourites.
Act 2 chorus from Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto.
One of several opera choruses, along with the one below, from Verdi's opera "Ernani" which my father sang as a member of the army chorus at Rivisondoli in the Gran Sasso D'Italia prior to being stationed in Eritrea.
One of several opera choruses, along with the one below, from Verdi's opera "Ernani" which my father sang as a member of the army chorus at Rivisondoli in the Gran Sasso D'Italia prior to being stationed in Eritrea.
ALBERTO RABAGLIATI sings Mattinata Fiorentina - 1941.
OSCAR CARBONI - Sings: La mia canzone al vento - (My song to the wind)
ACHILLE TOGLIANI - Illusione
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NATALINO OTTO - Solo me ne vo per la citta' "Walking alone in the city" - 1945.
TORNA AL TUO PAESELLO (Come back to your village) Sung by Luciano Virgili.
A young woman has gone astray in the big city. The young man urges her to return to her village.
A young woman has gone astray in the big city. The young man urges her to return to her village.
SIGNORINELLA (Young Miss) - Sung by Gino Bechi. My mother's favourite Singer-Actor. I think she had a crush on him.
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Claudio Villa - Il Tuo Mondo (Your World) -
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THE FOLLOWING SONGS ARE SOME OF THE FIRST SONGS THAT WE HEARD AFTER ARRIVING IN CANADA.
Good Night Irene - Sung by The Weavers.
THE TENNESSEE WALTZ - Sung by Patti Page
Kiss of Fire - Sung by Georgia Gibbs - Became my father's favourite song
In the Jailhouse Now - Sung by Webb Pierce.
Shrimp Boats - Sung by Jo Stafford.
Blacksmith Blues sung by Ella Mae Morse.
Slowpoke - Sung by Pee Wee King - Was one of my mother's favourite songs.
A River of Oranges: Memories of a Displaced Childhood