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24 Italian Songs and Arias

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The Very Best Book for Serious Vocal Students

I began using this book in high school. My choral director taught a few of us an aria a year, and we would perform them at statewide competitions.

I don't think I ever received anything other than a superior rating for my performances, and I owe a lot of what I currently know about singing to that choral director and this little book.

When I got to college, my vocal instructor was a ex-opera singer. She, too, started me out with songs and arias from this book. I've learned half of the 24 songs in this book. I've performed them in competitions and recitals. And now that I'm not in school anymore and most of the singing I do is limited to the church choir and children's songs sung around the house to my daughters, I will occasionally take this book out of its box in the closet and sing through the songs I know - just to keep myself in the best vocal shape possible. This book, and the songs in it, has played a major role in my life.

Learning to sing Italian songs will help you improve your vocal performance in any genre. Just ask vocal coach Rose Coppola. Her expertise covers a range of genres, and she includes an Italian aria from this book on her vocal training DVD/CD/book package Rock Your Vox. If you want to learn how to sing well, you need to get this book and the accompanying CD (and a good teacher, of course).

Like the lens intro image?

You can get it here!

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Learn How to Rock Your Vox!

This CD/DVD is chock full of vocal instruction and exercises to get your voice in shape and keep it there. That's mainly why I got this set. Rose Coppola isn't the smartest cookie, though. She calls "Caro Mio Ben" an opera. It's not a full opera - just an aria. Still, if you're looking for an inexpensive way to improve your vocal condition at home on your own, you might want to give this set a try.
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The Songs

Here is the list of songs that can be found in the 24 Italian Songs and Arias booklet:

Per la gloria d'adorarvi - Bononcini
Amarilli, mia bella - Caccini
Alma del core - Caldara
Comme raggio di sol - Caldara
Sebben, crudele - Caldara
Vittoria, mio core! - Carissimi
Danza, danza, fanciulla gentile - Durante
Vergin, tutto amor - Durante
Caro mio ben - Giordani (actual composer unknown - this is a misattribution)
O del mio dolce ardor - Gluck
Che fiero costume - Legrenzi
Pur dicesti, o bocca bella - Lotti
Il mio bel foco - Marcello
Non posso disperar - DeLuca (another misattribution - actual composer is Bononcini)
Lasciatemi morire! - Monteverdi
Nel cor piu non mi sento - Paisiello
Se tu m'ami, se sospiri - Pergolesi
Nina - Pergolesi
Gia il sole dal Gange - Scarlatti
Le Violette - Scarlatti
O cessate di piagarmi - Scarlatti
Se Florindo e fedele - Scarlatti
Pieta, Signore! - Stradella
Tu lo sai - Torelli

I thought it would help if I included audio/video samples of each of the songs for demonstration purposes. So, if you need help learning one of these songs, look for the corresponding video and take a listen!

Don't Have the Book or Practice CD Yet?

Get them here!

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Dame Joan Sutherland singing Per la gloria d'adorarvi

A classic singer singing a classic song!

This is actually the first Italian song I ever learned to sing, although I never performed it nearly as well as this!
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Love Joan's Voice?

Get more of it here!

This definitive collection includes some of Joan Sutherland's most memorable performances. If you really want to learn how to sing by listening to a master of the craft, then buy this and listen to it repeatedly!
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Amarilli, mia bella

as sung by Cecilia Bartoli

I never personally learned this song, but now that I've heard Cecilia sing it, I want to learn it. Beautiful!
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Alma del core

sung by tenor Joseph Calleja

I love the rich quality of his voice and the ease with which he sings this. Beginning singers often sound rushed when they're singing this. Just search and listen to some of the other YouTube videos of this song and you'll see what I mean. There's a reason why this guy gets paid to sing!
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More Joseph Calleja!

I could listen to this man's voice all day. And now you can, too, with these great CDs!
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Elena Cernei singing Come raggio del sol

They just don't make singers like this anymore. They really don't. Wow!
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Sebben, crudele

sung by Elisabetta Vuocolo

Okay, so I actually have never heard of this lady, but she's a really great singer, don't you think?

And I love the echo in the hall! That must've been really difficult to sing around!
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Vittoria, mio core!

sung by an unknown vocal student

I found this on YouTube and thought I would include it. It's really gorgeous - all the way up until the rushed embellishment at the end.


Still, for a vocal student just practicing in the middle of the night, this is really impressive! Hats off to her!
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Danza, danza fanciulla gentile

sung by an 11th grader!

This is a lovely vocal rendition of the song. The voice is a little immature, but what do you expect from a 16-year-old girl? Beautiful job all-around, although the movements could have been a little more natural - or no movement at all. That's what I was taught in my classical vocal training - let your voice and facial expression do the talking - not your hands or body! Ah well.
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The Wonderful Baritone Tito Gobbi Sings Vergin, tutto amor

This is truly a classic rendition of this song. I can't imagine anyone doing a much better job than this. Bravo!
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Tito Gobbi

Complete Studio Recordings

This 5-CD set includes every solo recording Tito Gobbi ever made. This collection will give you hours of listening pleasure!
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Caro Mio Ben

sung by me

Okay, so I'm not a professional - or probably anyone you should really imitate vocally in any way, but I thought I'd share this with you all so that you'd get to know me a little better - or at least my voice.

If you decide to learn this song yourself, use a little better breath support than I did when I was performing it for this video. Oh, and you might want to get someone more experienced to help you with the Italian pronunciation. I'm sure I messed something up in there.

Yes, I really am one of my worst critics!
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O del mio dolce ardor

sung by Julia Metzler

This is a gorgeous song sung brilliantly by 18-year-old Julia Metzler. Hard to believe this girl is only 18 years old. Surely someone miscounted?

Still, I love this!
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Che fiero costume

sung by Luciano Pavarotti

Can anyone really compare to Luciano Pavarotti? Seriously. Listen to this. You have to if you want to have an idea of what really good singing is.

Unquestionably one of the best performances I've ever heard. Ever. Love Pavarotti!
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Pavarotti!

Enough said, I think. Buy these CDs if you really want a treat for your ears!
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Pur dicesti, o bocca bella

Cecilia Bartoli

My college vocal instructor made us listen to Cecilia Bartoli a lot - and there's a reason for that. She's very good.

So I've included another Italian song from this collection that she sang. I guess she's learned all of them at some point in her singing career. Too bad they're not all available on YouTube as sung by her. Oh well. We'll just have to make do with what we have.
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Can't Get Enough Cecilia?

Try these!

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Il mio bel foco

sung by Georges Thill

This is beautifully sung by the great French dramatic tenor. His voice kind of reminds me of Josh Groban - at least at some points. And I'm a huge Josh Groban fan. So, I love this rendition of this great song!
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More Georges Thill

with a little Josh Groban thrown in

Love these voices. Love, love, LOVE them! These are some of my favorite CDs of all time!
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Non posso disperar

sung by a guy in a garage

There are a lot of problems with this performance, and I won't advocate singing the song this way. I just thought it was really interesting to hear a countertenor (at least I guess he's a countertenor) singing this piece that I've only ever heard women sing.

There's something so wrong to me about a man singing in a "woman's voice," but it used to be really common. I'm glad that there are still men willing to do it just for the sheer novelty value.

So listen and learn. This is how men used to sing (and why boys were castrated) because women weren't allowed!
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And here's a recording by a real castrato!

This is the only existing CD of an actual castrato. Alessandro Moreschi (1858-1922) made these recordings at the Vatican in 1902 and 1904. He was the last known castrato.

Everyone interested in music should own this CD - just for the sheer historical value. I don't own it yet, but I'm going to add it to my collection very soon! Fascinating stuff!
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Lasciatemi morire!

Anne Sofie von Otter

I LOVE this song, and I love the way this lady sings it. Gorgeous, ethereal. Just perfect! No way could I ever even touch that!

Now, for something completely strange and random: if you want to hear this same song sung really badly, search for the title plus Jewel - yes, that's right, Jewel. I used to really like her until I heard her trying to sing this song. It's that bad. Makes me feel a little better, though. I'm sure I could sing it better than she does!
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Anne Sofie von Otter

singing German songs (lieder)

This is a beautiful collection of lieder by Gustav Mahler and Alexander von Zemlinksy, and I think it shows off von Otter's talent beautifully. Gorgeous stuff!
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Nel cor piu non mi sento

sung by Renata Tebaldi

The wonderful Renata Tebaldi sang this in a studio recording and absolutely nailed it! I love Renata Tebaldi. Just beautiful! Not much else to say.
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The Great Renata Tebaldi

Voice of an Angel

This is a beautiful 2-CD collection of Renata Tebaldi singing some of the world's most famous arias, like "O Mio Babbino Caro." A classic collection, and a "must-have" for serious opera lovers!

It does seem to be a re-release of the 2002 CD "The Great Renata Tebaldi," so be aware of that before you order. I didn't have the 2002 recording, so this version suits me just fine!
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Se tu m'ami

Cecilia Bartoli

Cecilia again. Love her facial expressions - and the dress!

I remember singing this for my college audition. My voice didn't sound anything like that.

I'm so much weaker as a singer. Even now.
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Nina

sung by Enrico Caruso (1919)

This is such a wonderful recording. It's amazing that it is still in existence.

Enrico Caruso was such a fantastic singer. I'm glad we still have a sample of his talent. Hopefully, we always will.
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The Great Caruso

This is an awesome collection of arias sung by the famous tenor. Another "must-have" for serious music lovers!
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Gia il sole dal Gange

Luciano Pavarotti

Did I mention that I love Pavarotti? Well, let me just repeat myself: absolutely love this man's voice, and I love his version of this song. It's such a fun song to sing, and he's obviously having fun while he sings it. His voice just dances right along with the music.

This is one that I learned in college, but unfortunately, I never got my voice to dance like that. Maybe I will one day. Who knows?
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Le violette

Victoria de los Angeles

This was recorded in 1960, but it is absolutely timeless. Just listen to how her voice trips effortlessly over the words and phrases. So fun! I could listen to this all day!
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Get More Victoria!

I'm not sure if this 7-CD set holds all of Victoria de los Angeles's EMI recordings, but it certainly does hold a lot! Plenty here to love!
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O cessate di piagarmi

Cecilia Bartoli

Another Cecilia rendition of one of the 24 Italian Songs and Arias. I couldn't resist. Just listen to that emotion in her voice. You can't even see her face, yet you can really believe that she "feels" what she is singing. That is beauty. That is true art.
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Se Florindo e fedele

sung by Edith Lang

Admittedly, I'd never heard of Edith Lang before, but now I see that she is a vocal master. Even the "breathy" parts of this song show an enviable breath control. Now I'll be listening to more Edith Lang music, that's for sure!
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The Great Mario Lanza Sings Pieta, Signore!

I love this song, and I love this man's voice. The two together are so unbelievably amazing! This is a must-listen!
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More Mario!

This 3-CD set includes some arias, some popular songs, and some Broadway hits - all sung by the wonderful Mario Lanza.
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Tu lo sai

Ezio Pinza

I learned this one when I was in college, too, but didn't sing it anywhere near this good - ever. Pinza adds her own ornamentation, making the song a little different from the way I learned it, but I think he's allowed to do that because he is a professional, and I am not!

And that's the beauty of singing this kind of music. You can take the original song and make it your own by adding different ornaments - whatever happens to fit your mood at the time. That's one more reason Italian songs are so wonderful to sing!
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Opera and Broadway Recordings by Ezio Pinza

and South Pacific, too!

Ezio Pinza is best remembered for performing in the Broadway version of South Pacific. I don't know why he wasn't in the film version. Maybe he just wasn't that good as an actor? He certainly could have sung the part as well as (or better than) Rossano Brazzi.

Pinza also had a brillant career as an opera singer, so I've included a CD of his arias as well as some of his Broadway hits. Enjoy!
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Links to Wikipedia Articles About the Composers

Giovanni Battista Bononcini - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Giovanni Battista Bononcini (18 July 1670 - 9 July 1747) was an Italian Baroque composer and cellist, one of a family of string players and composers.
Giulio Caccini - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Giulio Caccini (8 October 1551 - 10 December 1618), also known as Giulio Romano, was an Italian composer, teacher, singer, instrumentalist and writer of the very late Renaissance and early Baroque eras. He was one of the founders of the genre of opera, and one of the single most influential creators of the new Baroque style. He was also the father of the composer Francesca Caccini.
Antonio Caldara - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Antonio Caldara (1670 or 1671;- 28 December 1736) was an Italian Baroque composer. Caldara was born in Venice (exact date unknown).
Giacomo Carissimi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Giacomo Carissimi (baptized April 18, 1605 - January 12, 1674) was an Italian composer, one of the most celebrated masters of the early Baroque, or, more accurately, the Roman School of music.
Francesco Durante - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Francesco Durante (31 March 1684 - 30 September 1755) was an Italian composer. He was born at Frattamaggiore, in the Kingdom of Two Sicilies, and at an early age he entered the Conservatorio dei poveri di Gesù Cristo, in Naples, where he received lessons from Gaetano Greco.
Christoph Willibald Gluck - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Christoph Willibald Ritter von Gluck (2 July 1714 in Erasbach near Berching (Upper Palatinate) - 15 November 1787 in Vienna) was an opera composer of the early classical period. After many years at the Habsburg court at Vienna, Gluck brought about the practical reform of opera's dramaturgical practices that many intellectuals had been campaigning for over the years. With a series of radical new works in the 1760s, among them Orfeo ed Euridice and Alceste, he broke the stranglehold that Metastasian opera seria had enjoyed for much of the century.
Giovanni Legrenzi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Giovanni Legrenzi (baptized August 12, 1626 - May 27, 1690) was an Italian composer of opera, vocal and instrumental music, and organist, of the Baroque era. He was one of the most prominent composers in Venice in the late 17th century, and extremely influential on the development of late Baroque idioms across northern Italy.
Antonio Lotti - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Antonio Lotti (ca. 1667 - 5 January 1740) was an Italian composer of classical music. Lotti was born in Venice, although his father Matteo was Kapellmeister at Hanover at the time.[1]
Benedetto Marcello - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Benedetto Marcello (31 July or 1 August 1686 - 24 July 1739) was a Venetian composer, writer, advocate, magistrate, and teacher.
Claudio Monteverdi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Claudio Giovanni Antonio Monteverdi (15 May 1567 (baptized) - 29 November 1643) was an Italian composer, gambist, and singer.
Monteverdi's work, often regarded as revolutionary, marked the transition from the Renaissance style of music to that of the Baroque period. He developed two individual styles of composition: the heritage of Renaissance polyphony and the new basso continuo technique of the Baroque. Enjoying fame in his lifetime, he wrote one of the earliest operas, L'Orfeo, which is still regularly performed.
Giovanni Paisiello - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Giovanni Paisiello (or Paesiello) (May 9, 1740 - June 5, 1816) was an Italian composer of the Classical era.
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (4 January 1710 - 16 to 17 March 1736) was an Italian composer, violinist and organist.
Alessandro Scarlatti - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alessandro Scarlatti (2 May 1660 - 24 October 1725) was an Italian Baroque composer especially famous for his operas and chamber cantatas. He is considered the founder
Alessandro Stradella - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alessandro Stradella (3 April 1639 - 25 February 1682) was an Italian composer of the middle baroque. He was born in Nepi and was murdered in Genoa.
Giuseppe Torelli - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Giuseppe Torelli (April 22, 1658 - February 8, 1709) was an Italian violist, violinist, teacher, and composer. Torelli is most remembered for his contributions to the development of the instrumental concerto, especially concerti grossi and the solo concerto, for strings and continuo, as well as being the most prolific Baroque composer for trumpets.

Other Awesome Music by Some of These Composers

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Need help with your Italian pronunciation?

Get this book!

This easy-to-understand guide to Italian pronunciation includes a CD with actual audio examples. If this doesn't help you learn how to pronounce Italian words, nothing will!
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Want to know what all the words mean?

Get this book!

This book has 575 pages worth of literal word-by-word translations of Italian art songs, and all of the 24 Italian Songs and Arias are included.

Why can't you just use the translations that are already in the book? Well, you can, but you're not getting the most accurate translation. Those English words are there just for poetic value. If you wanted to sing the songs in English, you would use those words to fit the music, but they wouldn't necessarily be exactly the same as the Italian words. That's why it's always nice to have a literal translation - so you know for certain what you're singing.
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This concludes my guide to Schirmer's 24 Italian Songs and Arias

I hope you've enjoyed this little online voice lesson and have learned something useful.

I know I've enjoyed listening to all the great examples of powerful singing. One of the best ways to improve any craft is to imitate the proven masters, so if you listen to the videos included in this lens and copy what these singers are doing, you should improve your own vocal technique tremendously!

So, tell me what you think.

But if you comment on my own video, please be kind. I'm very sensitive!

Nah, just kidding. If I was that sensitive, I wouldn't be subjecting myself to possible worldwide ridicule by putting myself up on YouTube, now would I? ;-)

  • nyclittleitaly Feb 20, 2012 @ 1:47 am | delete
    Fantastic list of some of the greatest songs. Thank you.
  • crstnblue Nov 14, 2011 @ 4:43 pm | delete
    Nice lens and music collection! Peaceful and perfect to listen to while reading a good bokk! : )
  • SereneSea Aug 10, 2011 @ 12:42 am | delete
    Love this collection of Italian songs and the great artists, very nicely composed.
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workingmomwm

I am a wife and mother of two beautiful little girls - a one-year-old and a three-year-old.

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