By Kelly Cruz Arrazola
As the plane prepared to descend on the tarmac of the Fiumicino Airport, fingers danced on the phone screen scrambling to play “Una Lagrima y un Recuerdo” by Los
Cadetes De Linares, a song that will eternally remind me of my dad. I had promised him one day I would make it to Italy and at that moment, as the song quietly rang we were sitting together with our eyes trained on the window watching as a dream became reality. On the morning of my 22nd birthday, stuck in an isolation unit in the Eternal City of Rome, it was not a happy birthday message that I received from my mom. Rather it was a link to “Hermoso Cariño '' by Pepe Aguilar. She has dedicated that song to me on every single one of my birthdays since I can recall. I had never felt closer to home, but one song managed to do just that.
Perhaps this makes you think about the notes that give you life and hope for what is to come, the music you love sharing with those important to you, the playlist that tells your story better than any words could, and the songs that speak directly to the most intimate parts of your soul, or simply the bops that have you performing to thousands of people from you own personal arena; the shower. Whatever it may be, that is exactly what music is. Music is the most liberated form of our thoughts, frustrations, sorrows, hopes, dreams, and beliefs.
Rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul. - Plato
You may be wondering as to how music could be just that, well in order to answer that question we must look at its origins. Luckily for us, we find ourselves in a country where music has a history of hope, unity, perseverance, and change. If you guessed Italy, BINGO, you are correct. If you didn’t I can only guarantee one thing. After reading this blog you will realize just how important music is to Italian culture, I wouldn’t dare say as important as coffee or wine but most definitely in the top 10.
However, before you read any further please go ahead and click this link, no it is not a scam but rather a complimentary feature to this post and a parting gift from me to you all. You are now listening to the following playlist: Le Voci dell’Italia, specifically curated for this blog. Don’t shuffle the songs, listen in order. It tells a story, I promise. As we all know music is the soul of the universe and without a doubt, Italian artists give voice to the soul of a nation, its history, it's suffering, its strength, and above all the beauty of its people. Le Voci dell’Italia, is not just one individual but rather a mix of artists, genres, and messages so please enjoy. Sit back, read and hopefully fall in love with some of my personal favorites.
Una Storia Melodiosa, A Melodious History
To where it all began, for me, it was sometime in 2017. However, for Italy, it dates back to 230 AD when the first “Alleluias” were first heard in the city walls of Rome. Little is known as to how music appeared in its most original forms. Nevertheless, it is largely speculated that the first musical instrument utilized by man was the human voice as people attempted to imitate the sounds of their environment. It wasn’t until writing systems were developed that it finally became possible to compose music similarly to what we see today. Fun fact the earliest records of written music date back to present-day Syria and Ancient Greece. Now, this is where the Romans come in so if I lost you let's tune back in. Knowledge surrounding the early stages of Roman music has been lost throughout the centuries, yet it is known that it was largely influenced by the music of Ancient Greece leaving the assumption that their melodies were very similar. The big question is how did we go from imitating the chirping of birds to the contemporary Italian music of today? Well the “Alleluias'' of 230 AD are key, these Alleluias may have begun as simple and non-rhythmic chants of Christian scriptures and gospels but with the rise of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire that quickly changed. After the Roman Emperor Constantine granted Roman Christians the freedom to worship in 313 AD it was inevitable to see these chants evolve into what we now hear famous artists like Andrea Bocelli sing. Of course, we must recognize that with the push for creativity and curiosity during the Italian Renaissance Period between the 14th and 17th centuries the desire to stray from gospel music took flight. Still, we see that religiously based music was a major cornerstone of Italian music culture in the past and currently in the present day this still holds true.
Italian Hope, Surviving the Centuries Through Music
Italian music holds so much impact and influence that in the year 2017 it reached a small town girl in Sedalia, Colorado. My mom came into my room one day asking me to add the song you will be listening to in a few seconds to her phone's music app. “Perfect Symphony” sung by Andrea Bocelli and Ed Sheeran. That day I didn’t pay much attention to the song itself but as it played through the rooms of my home on Christmas night it seemed inevitable for me to give it my attention and thought. It was then I realized that the song was most definitely not in English and Spanish but rather in another language. Curious as to how my mother who hates anything that she can not understand could be in love with the song, I asked what her fascination with the song was. Needless to say, this is one of her favorite songs to this day so you would expect something inexplicably deep. However, she simply told me that Andrea Bocelli was an Italian man who had the voice of an angel. I could not object, I mean simply listen. Tell me… can you? It seemed that Andrea Bocelli became an essential part of our household as much as Selena Quintanilla and Los Tigeres del Norte (two very famous Mexican artists). No, it was not Bocelli’s dance-worthy melodies good for a Saturday cleaning playlist that entranced my mom. Rather it was his lyricism that spoke of faith, hope, and beauty within the simple things of life. Something that can be found as essential values to the soul of Italy and its people. Beautifully enough Bocelli is living proof of this, even with his disability triggered at the age of 12 he became a young boy, from the region of Tuscany, who is now considered the voice of hope, strength, and optimism for many around the world and his home country of Italy. As Celine Dion once said, “If God had a singing voice he would sound like Andrea Bocelli,” (Express, 2021). At this very moment you should be hearing the beautiful tenor of Bocelli, let me ask you what feelings are coming up for you. Perhaps, it fills you with nostalgia for these past few weeks that we have spent in this beautiful nation and the city of Rome. Perhaps, it fills you with the hope that one day you will return. Perhaps, it fills you with gratitude for the learning you have done as individuals, as academics, and as a group. Perhaps… it makes you excited to share your adventures, experiences, and memories with family and friends back home. Just know that whatever it may be you are not the only one. For thousands of people around the world and especially in Italy, Andrea Bocelli’s voice is a reflection of who they are, what they believe, what they hope for, and what they long for. Bocelli along with his music have become symbols of Italian hope and optimism for something better while recognizing the sorrows and difficulties that this nation and its people have seen.
That is why in 2020 the year that the pandemic hit Andrea Bocelli was invited to sing for an Easter service at the Duomo di Milano. With a love for his country, its culture, and great honor Bocelli accepted the invitation expressing the following in his interview for the performance, “we will hug this wounded Earth’s pulsing heart, this wonderful international forge that is the reason for Italian pride. The generous, courageous, proactive Milan and the whole of Italy will be again, and very soon, a winning model, engine of renaissance that we all hope for,” (Andrea Bocelli, 2020). You can find his entire performance at this link. 25 minutes in an empty Duomo di Milano but full of souls yearning for hope. 25 minutes dedicated to the world in one of the most difficult times that we have collectively experienced and especially for the Italian people who in months lost so much. Even though Bocelli tends to stick to the original intention of music, religious proclamations, multiple times he has expressed he simply wishes to provide solace and comfort to those that need it something he masterfully does every time.
Music: Healing the Italian Soul, Filling the Quiet Night
“Amazing Grace” a Christian hymn from the 1700s sung by Bocelli should be playing just about right now. Of course, this song is not in Italian, however, it is one of my personal favorites and sung by such a talented Italian artist I could not forgive myself for not including it. While this song plays, give yourself some time to think about what this song brings up for people in the United States, religious or not. One could say that it symbolizes perseverance, the process of grief and hopefulness, but most of all a song of unification and collectivism. Of course, we must admit that usually, these are not attributes given to western cultures such as the U.S. Nevertheless, something very well understood in times of struggle and something that can be clearly seen within Italian culture and daily life. Time and time again the Italian people have shown their ability to turn to each other, to show what it means to be unified in times that it truly counts. Even after years of division and the very expansive phenomenon of campanilismo or in other words the strong connection to their regional and local identities, the Italian people have shown the world their ability to lean on each other as a country. From uniting to rebel against a fascist government, their willingness to make a more unified nation, their bravery to call for change against criminal organizations throughout their regions, and most recently comforting their neighbors in times of nationwide isolation restrictions. As “Amazing Grace” continues to play I would like to invite you to take a few brief minutes of reflection. No, you do not have to write anything down but perhaps give yourself the chance to reflect on the most beautiful moments and the most bittersweet moments of your time in Italy. Of course, as human beings, we tend to have the instinct of aiding each other in times of dire need.
Therefore, may it have been because we all were going through such a unique experience of being so far away from home with strangers we met for the first time at the airport or because we were moved by the Italian culture of famiglia and we managed to perhaps crack the coconuts of the group and reach the core of the peaches; throughout these weeks we have witnessed what I would call a real representation of Italian unity and care. Especially experiencing it myself during my COVID isolation, spending my birthday with three other strangers, it still felt like I was being taken care of by longtime friends. Comforted by messages of well wishes and hopefulness for my quick recovery from my fellow rams. It was in fact the night of my 22nd birthday, July 14th, the second day of my 7-day isolation period that something clicked. As I stood on the balcony of our unit, listening to music with a birthday bellini in hand courtesy of my beautiful roommates, watching a group of teenagers singing and dancing just across the street on their terrace it almost felt like they were celebrating with me. That's when it occurred to me that perhaps this is how it felt in those moments of strict covid regulations where people were stuck in their homes when the first person began to sing and then in a short period of time neighbors who had never spoken to each other were all part of the same harmony.
The song playing right now or that will be playing in a few seconds is “Abbracciame” by Andrea Sannino, no it is not Andrea Bocelli. This song is not only beautiful in its lyricism but is now a song tied to the people of Naples, Italy. The world got to see the unity of the Italian people through videos posted online but only the Italian people were able to experience the love and care of their neighbors as they sang from their windows and balconies to “Abbracciami”. In the empty streets of Siena, you could hear the voices of Italians singing the song “Canto Della Verbena” the rough translation being “And While Siena Sleeps” which is a patriotic folk song. In the city of Salerno in the southern region of Italy, people sang the national anthem of Italy, in efforts to remind their neighbors of their strength as a nation and people. Not only did the Italian people give hope to their own neighbors but their spirit and strength reached every end of the Earth. I recall vividly the news reports and the tiktoks that circulated everywhere. The only thing I could think about was how beautiful it was to see people coming together. I also recall that a couple of days after the various reports had come out we started to hear signing in our own neighborhoods. In fact, at one point I heard “Amazing Grace”. It seems now that the spirit of the Italian people managed to cross seas and comfort the hearts of Coloradans. It seems that even though that summer my first attempt at studying in Rome was completely scratched due to the pandemic, Rome, the Italian people, and their love for music still managed to find me. It seemed so simple and just a little moment in the grand scheme of things but now it carries so much value because after two years I have found my way to Italy. Perhaps Italian music stemmed from the religious practice of worship, however, it has evolved to carry the pains of the Italian people and give hope for a better future in the streets of Italy.
Melodies from the Past for the Future
We have seen Italian music as the vessel for religious beliefs evolve into the simple idea of utilizing it to spread hope and faith in what life can bring to you and those around you no matter the circumstances. Andrea Bocelli serves as the most accurate representation of what Italian hope and perseverance entail not just for the Italian people but those that have the blessing of listening to Italian music, specifically his. We have also seen Italian music as the driving force in times of great need when people needed strength during the most unprecedented times. Now we will see how music continues to connect the past and the future in the most intricate ways possible. Take Claudia Logano for example, a masterful Sicilian singer-songwriter. Or more commonly known as Levante showing time and time again how music can be utilized to connect what was, what is, and what should be. Specifically in her song “Santa Rosalia” which is in the playlist you are currently listening to. This song is a direct reference to Santa Rosalia the patron saint of Palermo, Sicily. However, this reference holds enormous weight as legend has it that Santa Rosalia was in fact in love with a woman something that clearly was not widely accepted at the time. However, Levante not only pulls on the name of Santa Rosalia to carry a message but her lyrics are extremely direct by stating the following, “Rosa o blu, rosa o blu, dai un bacio a chi vuoi tu. Mostrati per ciò che sei, non restare nascost,” roughly translates to “Pink or blue, Pink or blue, give a kiss to whoever you want. Show you for what you are. Don’t stay hidden,”. Levante clearly makes an homage to the LGBTQ+ community through her music while also managing to connect an idea that has been strictly traditional like the sexuality of a saint. Without a doubt, Levante is not trying to adhere to traditional Italian religious beliefs dictated by the church but rather giving way to a new way of Italian thinking when it comes to religion and topics such as the LGBTQ+ community and rights. It seems that current Italian artists nowadays through their music are pushing to use the past to shape the future of their nation into something new and more inclusive of all Italians and their identities.
For instance, Tommy Kuti or otherwise known as Tolulope Olabode Kuti an Afro-Italian born in Nigeria but raised and living in Italy for 27 of his 29 young years of life. Kuti through his music has been consistently challenging the traditional idea of what it means to be “Italian”, especially in the terms of nationality, race, and ethnicity. Kuti in various interviews has disclosed his internal struggle to identify himself within the traditional terms of solely being an Italian or African stating, that he is “too Italian to be only African and too African to be only Italian,” (Čizmić, 2020). Ultimately coming to the conclusion that rather than battling internally with himself trying to mold himself into a certain definition he could live the embodiment of an Afro-Italiano. In the end composing an entire track titled just that “#AFROITALIANO”, paying homage to Italians of African descent may they be immigrants, first-generation Italians, second-generation Italians, and so forth. Not only that but his album Italiano Vero is an album of political and social messages urging to see a change in the way that Afro-Italians are seen, treated, and welcomed in their own country’s society. Not only is Kuti taking on the challenge of speaking about a very important and intimate topic for many but also challenging traditional ways of thinking within Italian culture and society in a manner that seeks to unify people of all backgrounds behind one common goal. As someone that lives a very similar experience being the daughter of immigrants in the United States, for many years I struggled with my own identity. I was always told growing up that I was too Mexican for the white people and that I was too white for the Mexican people. It was always that my Spanish was broken and simultaneously that my English was lacking. It makes sense though I have two cultures, languages, ways of thinking, and ways of living constantly in a tug of war due to a society that asks me to pick just one. However, as Tommy Kuti attempts to communicate through his music it is rather a society that needs to adjust to the new reality rather than putting the burden on individuals to silence who they are.
Music, a Rebelling Mind’s Peace
Once again it seems that we have come full circle. It seems that music can not escape its eternal purpose of being the vessel for liberation. From its beginning music was used to give those who needed freedom to worship in a manner in which they could, a manner in which they felt more connected to those above them. Nowadays music is used by those that need the freedom to express themselves, fight for their beliefs, and encourage those around them to do so as well. Italy’s history with music is a living testimony to this idea, from the beginning of its formation to modern times. Music is the peace to a rebelling mind and will continue to be so as long as mankind continues to ask questions and seek new understandings. So perhaps we have only been in Italy for a month but I hope that this playlist I have left you with keeps it in your memories for many years to come and simultaneously encourages you to live the Italian way. Letting art forms such as music be the most liberated forms of expression.
About the Author
My full name is Kelly Yatzari Cruz Arrazola. I feel the need to say this because my names Kelly and Yatzari are a representation of my two cultures. My two last names are those of my father and mother, the two most important people in my life. If there is anything to know about me is that I am a proud Latina, U.S.-born, daughter of Mexican immigrants. I am a first-generation student at Colorado State University graduating in May of 2023, double majoring in Social Work and Spanish, and a student within the Honors Program. I have truly enjoyed my time here in Italy, it would be a sin for me not to. After all, I did spend almost two years trying to get here after my first program was canceled due to the pandemic in the summer of 2020. Even with the many bumps along the road this trip has made me realize many things about myself as a student, learner, creative thinker, traveler, sister, daughter, and friend. This summer will be etched into my memories as the first time that anyone from my family strolled through the streets of Europe, this trip not only means so much to me but to my family. So I want to take the time to thank those that helped me get here, those that motivated me to do better, and most of all my parents, siblings, and friends back home who never failed to remind me that I deserve to be here. Therefore, please enjoy those two songs that I mentioned at the very beginning and a surprise from Beyonce who I am sure wrote the song I selected in the playlist about Italy. Until next time, Italia.
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