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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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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a Voice!,
By Sam R. "cd guru" (London) - See all my reviews
This review is from: La Passione (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:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic album, and a fantastic voice.....truely exceptional,
By Stephen Bowman (London) - See all my reviews
This review is from: La Passione (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
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Alfie Boe is the MAN,
By
This review is from: La Passione (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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