Italian Music And The
Opera
The History of Italian Music and
Songs
The music most associated with Italy
is opera, the tradition growing from the late 1500s and
contributing greatly to the rest of Europe.
Other Italian music is important to
its people too, such as classical instrumental music and
folk music. Italians are descended from many ethnic roots
and immigration has brought its own influences.
The country imported a mix of jazz,
pop and rock during the 20th century, whilst retaining a
passion for its own homegrown culture.
Opera composers such as Bellini,
Alessandro Scarlatti, Monteverdi and Rossini put Italian
music at the forefront. The 19th century was dominated by
Verdi and Puccini, who popularized the Romantic Movement
with an emphasis on strong melodies.
Italian music was also involved in
orchestral music and produced renowned composers in Corelli,
Domenico Scarlatti and Vivaldi. There is a great tradition
in sacred music too, with composers writing for the Catholic
Church. Gregorian chanting was developed in Italy; a modern
equivalent is very popular on the island of
Sardinia.
A New Century Of Italian
Music
Other forms of entertainment came with
the 20th century and Italian music played its part,
particularly in the form of grand film scores for popular
movies. The Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns were enriched
by the scores of Ennio Morricone and the theme from The
Godfather film was played around the world.
Folk music is a very important part of
Italian culture. There is no cohesive, national tradition
but rather a diverse mix of regional variety, influence by
the language and origin of its settlers.
There are favored instruments in this
type of Italian music, including flutes, bagpipes,
accordions, fiddles, guitar and harp. Percussion is supplied
by drums, castanets, wood blocks and bells.
Folk songs are often work songs,
traditionally sung by fishermen, farm workers and the
military. There are ballads, most often performed in the
north of the country, and songs to dance to. Some of these
Itallian tunes are sung at weddings and other occasions for
celebration.
Yodeling is sometimes heard and words
are in Latin in a few examples. Flutes and bagpipes tend to
be played where there are Celtic roots and North Eastern
Italy is inspired by the Slavic traditions of the polka and
waltz. Other influences may be African, Arabic or
Greek.
Whatever the musical genre, the music
world owes a debt of gratitude to Italian music, which is a
testimony to the preservation of a nation's culture, whilst
accepting the inspiration from other lands. The legacy from
great composers is its special gift to the world.
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