Renato Carosone
Encyclopedia
Renato Carosone born Renato Carusone, was among the greatest figures of Italian music
scene in the second half of the 20th century. He was also a modern performer of the so-called canzone napoletana
, Naples' song tradition.
. He studied piano
at the Naples Conservatory
and obtained his diploma in 1937, when he was just 17. Soon after he signed a contract as a band leader for a tour of Africa
, which resulted in him working in Addis Ababa
as a pianist. Here he would become a prominent figure of the music scene, performing with his band on several occasions. He returned to Italy
only in 1946, after the end of World War II
.
Despite his success abroad, Carosone was a stranger to Italian audiences. He had to start his career afresh, playing the piano for small dance-hall bands. These new performances were strongly influenced by the new rhythms and music styles he had encountered during his ten years' absence from the Italian music scene.
Peter Van Wood
and the Neapolitan drummer
Gegè Di Giacomo
: the Trio Carosone was born. The trio became a quartet with the addition of the Hungarian Gypsy musician Elek Bacsik
on bass, guitar and violin.
Afterwards Van Wood and Bacsik left the group to pursue solo careers. Gegè Di Giacomo remained with Carosone, who contacted other musicians to finally form a real band.
During the 1950s Carosone became more and more popular, his orchestra was in great demand both in Italy and abroad, and records sales were soaring high.
His song Torero - specially composed for a Spanish tour - remained for 14 weeks at number 1 on the US hit parade
. Torero was translated into 12 languages and no fewer than thirty cover versions were recorded in the United States
alone. On 5 January 1957 Carosone and his band started off a successful American tour with a concert in Cuba
. This tour concluded with a triumphant performance at the prestigious Carnegie Hall
in New York
.
.
Nicola Salerno
, who used the pseudonym
Nisa. They could understand each other perfectly: just one hint by Carosone, and Nisa wrote a funny, witty little story about it. "'O suspiro", "Torero", "Tu vuò fà l'americano
", "Mambo Italiano"
, "Caravan Petrol", "Pigliate 'na pastiglia","'O Sarracino" were among their greatest hits.
A few famous songs in Carosone's repertoire were not written by Nisa: "...E la barca tornò sola" (a lively parody of a song performed by Gino Latilla at Sanremo Music Festival in 1954), "Tre numeri al lotto", "Maruzzella" (dedicated to his wife Marisa), "'O russo e 'a russa".
He made an album called Honeymoon in Rome with Capitol Records
T-10031.
wasn't featured in the popular 2010 track We No Speak Americano
by Yolanda Be Cool
& DCUP
.
At the same time as Yolanda Be Cool's release, "Tu vuò fà l'americano" featured in the Italian and Swiss singles charts at #15 and #51 respectively.
It was also featured in the thriller The American
directed by Anton Corbijn and George Clooney
.
It was also featured in The Talented Mr. Ripley (film)
Directed by Anthony Minghella and starring Matt Damon
, Gwyneth Paltrow
, and Jude Law
Music of Italy
The music of Italy ranges across a broad spectrum of opera and instrumental classical music and a body of popular music drawn from both native and imported sources. Music has traditionally been one of the cultural markers of Italian national and ethnic identity and holds an important position in...
scene in the second half of the 20th century. He was also a modern performer of the so-called canzone napoletana
Canzone Napoletana
Canzone Napoletana, sometimes referred to as Neapolitan song, is a generic term for a traditional form of music sung in the Neapolitan language, ordinarily for the male voice singing solo, although well-represented by female soloists as well, and expressed in familiar genres such as the lover's...
, Naples' song tradition.
Beginnings
Carosone was born in NaplesNaples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
. He studied piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
at the Naples Conservatory
Music school
The term music school refers to an educational institution specialized in the study, training and research of music.Different terms refer to this concept such as school of music, music academy, music faculty, college of music, music department or conservatory.Music instruction can be provided...
and obtained his diploma in 1937, when he was just 17. Soon after he signed a contract as a band leader for a tour of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, which resulted in him working in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
as a pianist. Here he would become a prominent figure of the music scene, performing with his band on several occasions. He returned to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
only in 1946, after the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Despite his success abroad, Carosone was a stranger to Italian audiences. He had to start his career afresh, playing the piano for small dance-hall bands. These new performances were strongly influenced by the new rhythms and music styles he had encountered during his ten years' absence from the Italian music scene.
Success
In 1949 he was asked to put together a group for a club's opening night. After some auditions, he signed the Dutch guitaristGuitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Peter Van Wood
Peter Van Wood
- External links :...
and the Neapolitan drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Gegè Di Giacomo
Gegè Di Giacomo
Gennaro Di Giacomo, said Gege was an Italian singer and drummer.- Biography :Grandson of the poet Salvatore Di Giacomo, began to play the small drum and cymbals orchestra with his brother Pino, who played the snare drum, before it has a battery across its ten years of being hired to run the cinema...
: the Trio Carosone was born. The trio became a quartet with the addition of the Hungarian Gypsy musician Elek Bacsik
Elek Bacsik
Elek Bacsik was a Hungarian-born American jazz violinist and guitarist.Bacsik was born in Budapest, the son of Arpad Bacsik and Erzsebet Pocsi. He was of Romani ethnicity and studied violin at the Budapest Conservatory, but found his primary musical inspiration in bebop pioneers Dizzy Gillespie...
on bass, guitar and violin.
Afterwards Van Wood and Bacsik left the group to pursue solo careers. Gegè Di Giacomo remained with Carosone, who contacted other musicians to finally form a real band.
During the 1950s Carosone became more and more popular, his orchestra was in great demand both in Italy and abroad, and records sales were soaring high.
His song Torero - specially composed for a Spanish tour - remained for 14 weeks at number 1 on the US hit parade
Hit parade
A hit parade is a ranked list of the most popular recordings at a given point in time, usually determined by sales and/or airplay. The term originated in the 1930s; Billboard magazine published its first music hit parade on January 4, 1936...
. Torero was translated into 12 languages and no fewer than thirty cover versions were recorded in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
alone. On 5 January 1957 Carosone and his band started off a successful American tour with a concert in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. This tour concluded with a triumphant performance at the prestigious Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Retirement
At the height of his career, Carosone announced his retirement from music in 1960: I'd rather retire now on the crest of the wave, than being tormented later by the doubt that yè-yè fashion and new armies wearing blue-jeans may wipe away all that I have achieved in so many years of work and worries. His decision caused an uproar. Some even suspected obscure criminal threats. Away from the spotlight, Carosone turned to other interests, mainly paintingPainting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
.
Comeback
On 9 August 1975 Carosone made his comeback in a televised concert. He then resumed his musical debut with live concerts, performances at the Sanremo Music Festival, and TV appearances until the late 1990s.Repertoire
Several of his hits were the result of his long and fruitful collaboration with the lyricistLyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
Nicola Salerno
Nicola Salerno
Nicola Salerno, also known as Nisa was an Italian lyricist. He formed a famous songwriting duo with Renato Carosone.-Career:Nicola Salerno was born in Naples....
, who used the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
Nisa. They could understand each other perfectly: just one hint by Carosone, and Nisa wrote a funny, witty little story about it. "'O suspiro", "Torero", "Tu vuò fà l'americano
Tu vuò fà l'americano
"Tu vuò fà l'americano" is a Neapolitan language song by Italian singer Renato Carosone....
", "Mambo Italiano"
Mambo Italiano (song)
"Mambo Italiano" is a popular song written by Bob Merrill in 1954 and recorded by Rosemary Clooney. Merrill actually wrote it on deadline, scribbled hastily on a paper napkin in an Italian restaurant in New York, United States using the wall pay-phone to dictate the melody, rhythm and lyrics to the...
, "Caravan Petrol", "Pigliate 'na pastiglia","'O Sarracino" were among their greatest hits.
A few famous songs in Carosone's repertoire were not written by Nisa: "...E la barca tornò sola" (a lively parody of a song performed by Gino Latilla at Sanremo Music Festival in 1954), "Tre numeri al lotto", "Maruzzella" (dedicated to his wife Marisa), "'O russo e 'a russa".
He made an album called Honeymoon in Rome with Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
T-10031.
Tu vuò fà l'americano
Tu vuò fà l'americanoTu vuò fà l'americano
"Tu vuò fà l'americano" is a Neapolitan language song by Italian singer Renato Carosone....
wasn't featured in the popular 2010 track We No Speak Americano
We No Speak Americano
"We No Speak Americano" is a song by Australian duo Yolanda Be Cool and producer DCUP. It was released on the independent Australian label Sweat It Out on 27 February 2010. The song samples the 1956 Italian song - although sung in Neapolitan language - "Tu Vuò Fà L'Americano" by Renato Carosone,...
by Yolanda Be Cool
Yolanda Be Cool
Yolanda Be Cool is an Australian band made up of Sylvester Martinez and Johnson "Durango Slim" Peterson. They collaborated with Australian producer DCUP to release an international single "We No Speak Americano" on the indie Australian label Sweat It Out they founded, sampling on a 1956...
& DCUP
DCUP
Duncan MacLennan, better known by his stage name DCUP, is an Australian music producer, DJ and remixer. He is best known for his co-operation with fellow Australian duo Yolanda Be Cool on their international hit single "We No Speak Americano", which samples Renato Carosone and Nicola Salerno's 1956...
.
At the same time as Yolanda Be Cool's release, "Tu vuò fà l'americano" featured in the Italian and Swiss singles charts at #15 and #51 respectively.
It was also featured in the thriller The American
The American (2010 film)
The American is a 2010 American thriller film directed by Anton Corbijn and starring George Clooney, Thekla Reuten, Violante Placido, Irina Björklund, and Paolo Bonacelli. It is an adaptation of the 1990 novel A Very Private Gentleman by Martin Booth...
directed by Anton Corbijn and George Clooney
George Clooney
George Timothy Clooney is an American actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter. For his work as an actor, he has received two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award...
.
It was also featured in The Talented Mr. Ripley (film)
The Talented Mr. Ripley (film)
The Talented Mr. Ripley is a 1999 American psychological thriller written for the screen and directed by Anthony Minghella. It is an adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith 1955 novel of the same name, which was previously filmed as Plein Soleil .The film stars Matt Damon as Tom Ripley, Gwyneth...
Directed by Anthony Minghella and starring Matt Damon
Matt Damon
Matthew Paige "Matt" Damon is an American actor, screenwriter, and philanthropist whose career was launched following the success of the film Good Will Hunting , from a screenplay he co-wrote with friend Ben Affleck...
, Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Kate Paltrow is an American actress and singer. She made her acting debut on stage in 1990 and started appearing in films in 1991. After appearing in several films throughout the decade, Paltrow gained early notice for her work in films such as Se7en and Emma...
, and Jude Law
Jude Law
David Jude Heyworth Law , known professionally as Jude Law, is an English actor, film producer and director.He began acting with the National Youth Music Theatre in 1987, and had his first television role in 1989...
External links
- Official website in Italian and English