Neapolitan Song: Italy’s Musical Heritage Around the World

Naples: Voice, Music and Soul is a special project created by Balletto di Milano to promote

Italian language and culture through one of Italy’s most beloved and internationally celebrated

musical traditions: the classic Neapolitan song.

Conceived as a major live concert featuring singers and dancers, the production combines

music, voice and choreography in a multidisciplinary performance of great emotional and visual

impact, celebrating Italy through the poetry and musicality of the Neapolitan tradition.

For more than a century, songs such as ’O Surdato ’nnammurato, Santa Lucia, Tu ca nun

chiagne, Funiculì Funiculà, ’O paese d’ ’o sole, A Vucchella, Core ’ngrato, Vurria, Santa Lucia

luntana, I’ te vurria vasà and Torna a Surriento have become part of the world’s collective

musical memory, representing some of the finest masterpieces of the Italian musical tradition.

The Italian Language Through the Neapolitan Tradition

The classic Neapolitan song is one of the highest expressions of Italian musical culture and

represents a unique artistic heritage. Deeply rooted in the history and culture of Naples, this

repertoire has transcended geographical and linguistic boundaries to become a universal

symbol of Italian identity.

The evocative power of its melodies and the poetic richness of its lyrics have played a

significant role in spreading the beauty and musicality of the Italian language throughout the

world, making this repertoire instantly recognisable and universally appreciated.

This project was conceived to celebrate and preserve this extraordinary heritage, highlighting

the fundamental role of the Neapolitan tradition in shaping Italy’s cultural identity and its

international influence.

A Multidisciplinary Production: Music, Singing and Dance

The distinctive feature of the project is its deeply multidisciplinary nature: a continuous

dialogue between voice, orchestra and dance, creating a compelling performance capable of

engaging audiences of all ages.

Naples: Voice, Music and Soul features conductor Gianmario Cavallaro, twelve orchestral

musicians, two outstanding solo singers, soprano and tenor, and two principal dancer couples

from Balletto di Milano, all internationally acclaimed performers of exceptional artistic

sensitivity.

Dance is far more than a visual accompaniment: it becomes an integral part of the dramatic

narrative. While the live singing allows audiences to experience the beauty, poetry and

expressive richness of the language, the choreography gives physical form to the stories,

emotions and atmosphere conveyed by each song, guiding spectators into the emotional

universe of the Neapolitan tradition.

Through this unique fusion of music, voice and movement, Naples: Voice, Music and Soul

becomes a powerful vehicle for promoting the Italian language, telling the story of Italy through

one of its most celebrated, beloved and internationally recognised musical traditions.

Balletto di Milano

Recognised as one of Italy’s leading dance companies, Balletto di Milano is renowned for the

artistic excellence of its performers and its ability to create innovative productions with strong

international appeal.

With Naples: Voice, Music and Soul, the company places its artistic experience at the service

of a project that brings together music, dance and Italian tradition in a production of

exceptional artistic quality and immediate international appeal.