Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
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
Product 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".
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
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Sam R.
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
By D. Jones
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!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 15 reviews
4.9 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
La Passione - Alfie Boe
FAB-U-LOUS! Alfie from a few years back (not too many) Beautiful album and especially good if you have never listened to this type of music.
Published 1 month ago by bkpa
3.0 out of 5 stars
Little Alfie Sings Again!
Little Alfie Boe is a nice singer but, honestly, these are not the best versions of this material. Try Pavarotti. However, if you're a big Little Alfie fan, why not buy it?
Published 3 months ago by Peter Hodgson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Christmas present
another excellent purchase for Christmas, it arrived on time and was reasonably priced it arrived in good time for Christmas . another masterpiece from Alfie Boe.
Published 3 months ago by writers block
5.0 out of 5 stars
A gift
This was bought as a gift for some one who loves Alfie Boe's music. When has Alfie Boe ever recorded anything that wasn't excellent
Published 4 months ago by Debbie
3.0 out of 5 stars
Alfie Boe La Passione !
cant give honest review of this as it was a gift for my neighbour, it's not my kind of music and though my neighbour is well into this Genre he hasn't comlained so it must be ok.
Published 4 months ago by J. R. Chambers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Music
Alfie Boe at his best - we cannot wait until we go and see him live (again) in Birmingham in March. Whoo Hoo!
Published 4 months ago by Mr. G. Johns
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Passion for Napoli
The folk songs of Italy provide a perfect vehicle for English singing sensation Alfie Boe to show off his magnificent vocal range. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Australianarrow
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 14 months ago by Mrs. A. B. Ley
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 15 months ago by Roscoe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding
If you are into opera listen to this one and you will experience how incredible his voice really is. Magical
Published 16 months ago by Inspired
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
