Al Bano, Master of Italian Bel Canto, Dreams of Peace

Look, I don’t like the term “songs.” This expression contains a pejorative, disparaging intention, invented to give the idea that there is high music and low music… Manichaean divisions of the nineteenth century. Which, among other things, does not ensure the continuity of the history of Italian music and melody. Music is the only truly universal language. And there are seven notes that pass from the hands of Johann Sebastian Bach to those of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Giuseppe Verdi, and Giacomo Puccini. Do you know how long Mozart’s operatic aria lasts? Three minutes. So, everyone knows that movie music was born out of Puccini and that it’s only a short step from his romance to the melodic song of Neapolitan valets. Then come the great Enrico Caruso, the great Domenico Modugno… I really feel part of this vibrant tradition of Italian bel canto. These seven notes work wonders, and everyone uses them as they see fit, as they feel best, as inspiration prompts.

I would also add Spain, Germany, Austria, all of Central and South America, where concerts and recordings are always a great success. I can’t answer that. I’d say it’s the mystery of music. I did nothing but sing in Italy, and then I ended up number one in Russia, number one in Romania, number one in Latin America… It remains a mystery to which there is no answer, except that people like this kind of music. They loved it so much that they follow me with great eagerness, with great love, with great attention.

With smartphones, this is no longer a problem, as everything can be translated from the original language. Our language obviously has a musicality of its own that fascinates everyone. Many have learned Italian expressions thanks to us singers. A lot of people overseas tell me that. And it’s great.

The international presence of our great creative musicians in history is testament to this: musical notes are a bit like spring swallows. They also travel very far and then return home. And it’s a miracle, too.

In my opinion, very little has essentially changed, because when there are concerts, not only mine, people are there and often a lot of them. Private use in the individual sense has always existed: in general, music is a healthy and interesting medicine whose inner effects can be truly miraculous. I myself have experienced and am experiencing music in this way: as a powerful inner message. When I listen to songs I heard as a child, they still have the power to touch me. This means that this medicine of the heart and soul never weakens, even with the passage of time.

I wrote a lot because I very often find thoughts in newspapers that are not mine. Sometimes your coworkers make up whatever they want. I rebelled somewhat against this exploitation of my character. I write who I am and how I am. Whoever needs me, follow me. Where? I’ve never given up my faith. Not hiding one’s values is a fundamental and positive thing to do. Often in our culture there is a fear of demonstrating our Catholic faith. If there’s a little modesty, we’ll have to give it up. I see that many Muslims, for example, lack this modesty, they actually emphasize their beliefs three times a day. And it’s a sign that needs to be caught before it’s too late.

I agree. I hope it’s just modesty. You find yourself in church when a serious event happens, or when Easter or Christmas comes around. Or when there is a wedding, baptism, or even a funeral… The church should be outside of those dimensions. Contact with the Church really should go beyond this ritual dimension, but often it does not. And I repeat: pay attention to Muslims.

I was born in a town in southern Italy, near the end of World War II. And yes, family played a crucial role there. It worked like a vaccine, a vaccine I carry with me with pride. With the extraordinary character and enjoyment of this family. Be careful, I’m also expanding the concept of “family,” considering my job. Obviously, I have a very big, huge family that starts from Cellino San Marco, the place where I was born, and goes all the way to Los Angeles, all the way to Santiago de Chile, and all the way to Vladivostok. And it is a marvelous help and comfort in any part of the world.

He is the reincarnation of St. Francis. He was the first Pope in history to have the audacity to call himself that. And he did and does it with humility, with simplicity, with a fantastic clarity of ideas. The world repeats before him: this man is a Christian, a true Christian.

Sometimes it seems that the world has forgotten the tragedy of World War II. A few movies need to be programmed to show how tragic it was out there. Personally, I remember when my father came back from the war. And I’m referring to his accounts of the tragedies and suffering of many young men at the front. When I see what is happening in Ukraine, in Russia, in Gaza, I say to myself that it is absurd. It is the animal, not the human, that predominates. It’s a shame that just a handful people get to decide that war should be fought, I know the people don’t want war. Strong people command and decide for everyone. And they sleep peacefully in their beds and stay with their wives and children, but they send a lot of good guys, who have the right to live, to die, to sacrifice themselves. Long live peace, because peace is a fantastic achievement. Peace is a human achievement, it is the achievement of people. War brings destruction, it brings tragedy, it brings tears, it brings mourning. It is not the goal to be achieved.