While researching Sicilian folk music online, we came across some videos of a French tenor named Roberto Alagna singing songs from an album he recorded called The Sicilian. Intrigued, we looked up his background and discovered that he was born to Sicilian parents in France. Apparently, this album is his tribute to his family and heritage. |
| Roberto's story reads like a fairy tale. As a small boy in Paris, he sat mesmerized listening to his father, uncle and visiting family members sing traditional Sicilian songs after Sunday lunch; this inspired him to pursue a career as a singer. At 24 years old, he approached Luciano Pavarotti when the latter was signing autographs in a French department store, and walked away with an invitation to audition. He won the Pavarotti Competition in Philadelphia and was on his way. Over the course of a brilliant career, Roberto has performed in all of the great opera houses around the world, and won numerous awards and accolades. |   |
Roberto's album, The Sicilian, is a return to the songs of his childhood, and his passion for the music is evident in the following videos. Here are two of our favorite songs from The Sicilian:
Abballati:
Si Maritau Rosa:
Abballati (Promo video for the album - poor quality but fun):
And for those of you who speak French, here's an interview with the man himself:
Interview (in French), with snippets of songs and images of Sicily:
The songs featured on the album are:
| 1. Abballati 2. Parla Piu Piano 3. Mi Votu 4. Ciuri, Ciuri 5. Carrettieri 6. Li Pira 7. A Lu Mircatu | 8. Sicilia Bedda 9. Lu Me Sciccareddu 10. N'tintiriti 11. Si Maritau Rosa 12. Vitti'na Crozza 13. Ninna Nanna 14. La Luna Mezzo Mare |
You can purchase Roberto Alagna's CD, The Sicilian, by clicking on the following affiliate graphic:
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