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Track Listings
| 1. Caruso |
| 2. Torna a Surriento |
| 3. Funiculì Funiculà |
| 4. A Vucchella |
| 5. O Sole Mio |
| 6. Passione |
| 7. Granada |
| 8. Parlami D'Amore Mariù |
| 9. Marechiare |
| 10. Santa Lucia |
| 11. Chitarra Romana |
| 12. Maria Mari' |
| 13. Munasterio' E Santa Chiara |
| 14. Mattinata |
| 15. Feneste Che Lucive |
Product Description
Review
It has been quite a year for Alfie Boe. He has performed in a sell-out run of the English National Opera's production of Kismet, and had his Onward album nominated for a Classical Brit Award. Not bad, considering that until recently no one had even heard of him. La Passione, his third album, is a collection of Neapolitan songs.
Boe's aim is to bring classical music to a wider audience, and to prove that you don't have to be a musical genius to enjoy it. Neapolitan music is certainly a good vehicle in which to attempt this. All the old favourites are here; "O Sole Mio" (or Just One Cornetto!.), "Santa Lucia", and "Funiculi Funicula". Even if you don't recognise the names, you'll know them when you hear them. With a programme of music like this, one does have to suspend a certain amount of natural cynicism. Neapolitan music is unashamedly cheesy, and you just have to go with it and enjoy yourself. If you're a cool type and finding this tricky, it may help to remember that this is essentially classical Italian folk music, sung over the centuries everywhere from the streets to the music houses, and folk music is always heart-on-sleeve; even the British discard their stiff upper lip when writing folk songs. The cheese-o-meter does go into the red on the opening track, the recently composed "Caruso", but it is all great fun and women all over the country will swoon as he belts out the chorus. And what a voice with which to belt. As we're on a Neapolitan theme, if his vocal chords were an ice-cream they would be super creamy and double-whipped.
If I had one quibble it would be that I was left curiously unmoved for such passionate music, probably because the album is all quite samey in tone. Perhaps I just had Neapolitan overload. However, this is still a great fun and accessible way into classical music. For that reason, it gets my vote. --Charlotte Gardner
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Album Description
A seductive slice of popular Neopolitan music from the singer who, until a year ago, was the best kept secret in the classical world. The album conjures up the raw beauty and passion of the Mediterranean. Think sun drenched olive groves, the wild beauty of the Italian coast, 50's vintage and you get close to the evocative force behind La Passione.
The album features some of the most famous examples of Neopolitan songs, "O Sole Mio", "Funiculi Funicula", "Santa Lucia" and "Torna a Surriento" but also visits some lesser known but equally valued songs, the wistful "Feneste Ca Lucive", the intense and beautiful "Passione" and the playful "A Vuchella." "Caruso" was written in recent years by Lucio Dalle and, though not strictly speaking Neapolitan, it tells the story of one of Naples' most famous sons and the haunting lyrics and soaring melody are reminiscent of a Neapolitan classic "Dicitancell vuje".
The album features some of the most famous examples of Neopolitan songs, "O Sole Mio", "Funiculi Funicula", "Santa Lucia" and "Torna a Surriento" but also visits some lesser known but equally valued songs, the wistful "Feneste Ca Lucive", the intense and beautiful "Passione" and the playful "A Vuchella." "Caruso" was written in recent years by Lucio Dalle and, though not strictly speaking Neapolitan, it tells the story of one of Naples' most famous sons and the haunting lyrics and soaring melody are reminiscent of a Neapolitan classic "Dicitancell vuje".
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I saw Alfie on the Festival of Rememberance, then on Loose Women and went to buy his album. I just received it and WoW!! This is a fantastic album! His voice is so moving and so full of emotion. The songs are upbeat and full of energy with great classical guitar playing. Granada is my favorite! I love this so much I've bought his other albums too. What a fantastic new artist to find!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was given the extremely lcuky position of being able to listen to Alfie's superb performance at the BBC Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert hall. Sincerely, Alfie has one of the finest tenor sounds around at the moment. There is a flexibility, dynamic control and lightness to his approach that makes listening to the tenor sound, so much more enjoyable. I hope that others will get behind him and buy this wonderful album, he deserves to continue his fine career as Britains most enjoyable tenor. Good luck to Alfie!
Stephen B
Stephen B
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is great. Beautiful music. Perfect arrangements. The strength of the passion in these songs is wonderfully expressed by Alfie. Plus the use/mix of the classical guitar, mandolin, and even an accordion with such core classical songs really creates a clarity of sound and an emotional atmosphere that - as the title says - is passionate!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Alfie boe
Love this album of Alfie's, even though it is in Italian, it is great. He has such a beautiful voice. Love it!
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. A. B. Ley
Rosco
An excellent singer singing beautiful songs well worth the money. Alife's Italian pronunciation is accurate and the songs are well chosen to give a real flavour of Italy.
Published 3 months ago by Roscoe
Outstanding
If you are into opera listen to this one and you will experience how incredible his voice really is. Magical
Published 4 months ago by Inspired
UN DIGNO CANTANTE
No conocía a este cantante y ha sido una grata sorpresa. Aunque a veces los agudos parecen un poco forzados,
tiene una bonita voz y las interpretaciones de las... Read more
tiene una bonita voz y las interpretaciones de las... Read more
Published 6 months ago by M. F. Noirot
Excellent buy for real music lovers
Everything on this recording was well selected, clear, and thoroughly entertaining. I just loved it. It left me wanting more in my collection by this artist!
Published 13 months ago by Alvin J Aubry, Jr
wow
just getting into opera/classical music bought this because of the price, new, and it was outstanding, alfie can sing trust me the songs are divine worth buying if you like... Read more
Published 21 months ago by music lover
Beautiful - a winner!!
Product was a gift for my Mum, she was made up with it. Thanks so much for the propmt delivery and good packaging.
Published on 31 Jan 2009 by Ms. A. Walker
A great tenor who is still underestimated
Alfie has been incredibly brave as an Englsh singer in producing this CD compiled with neapolitan songs. Read more
Published on 26 Nov 2007 by Sally Wilton
Simply Wonderful
The first I heard of Alfie Boe was on the Festival of Remembrance and was so moved by his performance of Bring Him Home I had to hear more. Read more
Published on 22 Nov 2007 by Mrs. Judith M. Mackay
Saw Alfie at Classic FM Live
I heard of Alfie Boe for the first time last week at the Classic FM concert in London and just checked out his Myspace page where I heard tracks from the new album. Read more
Published on 5 Oct 2007 by Mrs J. Matthews
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