Funiculì Funiculà – Mario Lanza | Luciano Pavarotti.WS

Funiculì Funiculà was a popular hit song performed in the 1950s by Mario Lanza (31 January 1921 — 7 October 1959), an American tenor and Hollywood movie star. This is his English version. Little needs to be said about the famous melody other than it being as sun-drenched and vivacious as a Napoli carnival. The content of the original lyrics by Turco, however, may enhance appreciation by the listener not familiar with Italian. Composed as a tie-in to the 1880 opening of the Mount Vesuvius funicular railway, the young hero of the song exasperatedly decries his volatile girlfriend’s disposition. He takes the train to the top of the volcano, its fiery terrain recalling his beloved’s “charms.” Smitten afresh, he returns to ask her hand in marriage. The wry lyrics and familiar melody are buoyed by an infectious tarantella rhythm.

Why are some complaining about this English version? Take it on its own terms. Art is not scholarship, otherwise every Hollywood film would be condemned, including THE SEARCHERS, VERTIGO, and CASABLANCA. Wright-Forrest made a career adapting classical composers for the stage; then there’s Lilac (aka Blossom) Time based on Schubert’s lieder. Why not condemn the funeral march based on Frere Jacques from Mahler’s First Symphony? As a French folk song it’s ridiculous; as music it’s SUBLIME.

Okay, I feel like the little boy in the Emperor’s New Clothes.

I love Mario Lanza. I own almost everything commercially released on CD that he’s ever done. I even have the rare Hollywood Bowl/Coke show CD.

I have to say, this is the most atrocious arrangement I’ve ever heard of any song, ever. Lanza sounds great, but the lyrics are horrible.

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