Elena Bonelli is back in New York. On the occasion of the Columbus Celebrations she will offer to her affectionate New York public a new longed-for performance.
Her ultimate aim is to spread Roman Popular Music Heritage world-wide.
Mrs. Bonelli, you are internationally renewned as an actress and singer. What kind of show are you going to offer to your New York public on the 12th of October?
My show Roma in the World is meant to homage the culture of Rome, the Eternal City, and its representatives. I will sing the most famous Roman traditional songs, including Roma nun fa la stupida, Tanto pe’ canta’, Vecchia Roma and Le Mantellate. My Band, composed by Giandomenico Anellino, Luca Perroni and Francesco Suraci, will accompany me in a peculiar and original reinterpretation of these masterpieces.
Some of them are translated in English, Spanish, Portuguese or French, depending on the country where I perform. I think this is very important when the aim is to invite foreign people to discover such a peculiar culture as the Roman one is.
In your long career you have been invited to sing at many institutional events. Let’s mention, for example, your presence at the Columbus Celebrations and at the UN Building in New York during the Millennium Summit. You have also been designated by the former President of Italian Republic Carlo Azelio Ciampi as the official singer of Mameli’s Italian National Anthem. What made you decide to dedicate the past five years to the international promotion of the popular Roman repertory?
Actually I always had this goal, even when I was mainly involved with institutional and official events. Nonetheless I have to admit that it was Gabriella Ferrari’s death that made me decide t commit myself to bringing the beautiful Roman repertory to the people.
At the beginning of my career I also used to sing in Neapolitan, as a tribute to my family’s origins. “Napoli Mediterraneo” – this is the title of the show I was promoting then – was later replaced by “Roma in the World”, which is giving me indescribable satisfactions. Sometimes I do still sing in Neapolitan. Especially when my public asks me to do it. For example, two days ago I was in Miami. I received 40 minutes of encores! and I sang with my public some typical Neapolitan songs. The Italian-Americans enjoyed it, but the Americans were just enthusiastic!
Let’s go back to the upcoming concert in New York. It is going to be also a tribute to the actress Anna Magnani…
Yes, she has always been my true idol. I have seen all her movies. It is also a great honor to be considered her heiress by many Italian journalists and producers. They say that we have many similarities … the general attitude, a sunny personality… I cannot imagine a better compliment.
The first contact you had with the Columbus Citizens Foundation came after a performance you offered at the Columbia University in New York. From that moment on you have been often invited to participate to the Colombus Celebrations. And this year, for the first time, you have the opportunity to organize your own show in New York…
Yes, I have always felt the Columbus Citizens Foundation appreciated my work, even when I was not so well-known. From the time Laurence Auriana and Giuliana Ridolfi “discovered” me at the Columbia University I have been invited in New York innumerable times. But now I cannot wait to offer to my affectionate New York audience my own show. I am sure they will enjoy it… they will feel like spending the evening in Rome!
Elena Bonelli
10/12/08
h. 7:30 pm
Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall
