My Favorite Bel Canto Song ‘Torna maggio’

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My Favorite Bel Canto Song ‘Torna maggio’

1. Ferdinando Rubino - Torna maggio 0:12
2. Giulietta Sacco canta - Torna maggio 3:36
3. Massimo Ranieri - Torna maggio 9:20
4. Francesco Albanese - Torna maggio 13:58

Here’s why I include the soprano Giulietta Sacco: her tone is perfect for me to imitate and practice high notes like the high C and even higher as a tenor. By copying her vocal cord placement, mouth shape, and soft palate position, you can produce the same sound she does. Simple, right? Learning from Ranieri is about singing the middle register more broadly and deeply from the abdomen. I study Rubino to train the front space of the body, helping me create better overtones and make the timbre more appealing. As for Albanese, no explanation is needed—it's obviously to practice the power of dramatic tenor singing. So, the four singers I selected, in each case, serve a purpose. I hope you'll join me in learning from them and surpassing everyone!

"Torna Maggio" is a typical Neapolitan song (Canzone Napoletana). Neapolitan songs are an important part of Italy's folk music tradition, known for their beautiful melodies, lyrical content, and deep emotional expression. Many classic Neapolitan songs focus on themes of love, longing, and nature, and "Torna Maggio" is one such example. The song conveys a longing for the arrival of spring, filled with emotions related to the changing of the seasons, which is very much in line with the lyrical style of Neapolitan music.
Neapolitan songs are usually sung in Italian or the Neapolitan dialect, and they carry deep emotional resonance and strong regional characteristics, making them an important part of Italy's musical heritage.

1. Ferdinando Rubino (1893–1972)
Ferdinando Rubino was an Italian tenor, known for his powerful voice and emotive interpretations of traditional Italian songs. His singing style emphasized robust vocal projection, emotional depth, and dramatic flair. Although not as widely known as some of his contemporaries, Rubino carved out a niche in the mid-20th century with his compelling performances in the Italian dramatic and spinto tenor repertoire. His renditions of songs like "Torna Maggio" showcase his ability to convey the sentimentality of Italian folk music.
2. Giulietta Sacco (1944–2022)
Giulietta Sacco is a celebrated Italian folk singer, particularly known for her performances of Neapolitan songs. Her singing style is characterized by its deep emotional resonance and authenticity, often embodying the soul of the traditional Neapolitan and Southern Italian musical heritage. Sacco is revered in Italy as a key figure in preserving and popularizing folk traditions, with a voice that brings warmth and passion to songs like "Torna Maggio."
3. Massimo Ranieri (1951–)
Massimo Ranieri is an iconic Italian singer, actor, and performer, whose career has spanned decades. His singing style blends the dramatic expressiveness of Italian popular music with a theatrical flair, often bringing a sense of grandeur and emotion to his performances. Ranieri has gained widespread recognition for his interpretations of both popular songs and Neapolitan classics, holding a prominent position in Italy's entertainment industry as one of its most versatile performers.
4. Francesco Albanese (1912–2005)
Francesco Albanese was an Italian tenor famous for his performances in opera and traditional Neapolitan songs. His singing style combined the bel canto tradition with a lyrical, delicate tone, excelling in light opera roles as well as popular songs. Albanese's historical importance lies in his ability to bridge the worlds of opera and traditional Italian music, making him a beloved figure, especially for his contributions to the Neapolitan song repertoire.