Italiansinwiltshire

Italian music
A (very) short guide to Italian music and Italian artists:

So much can be said about Italian music that a page like this could only list some of the most influential styles of music that Italy has been known for. From classical to opera, folk and pop, progressive rock and crossover, Italian composers and performers can all be included in the World Hall of Fame. The classical music of Italy is considered to be melodic and romantic as heard in Puccini and Verdi's works, but it can also stretch to experimental and the base of the early Neapolitan songs. Opera dates back to 1500, Venice and Naples were the first to showcase the works of Claudio Monteverdi, Domenico Scarlatti, Gioacchino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti and Vincenzo Bellini. Italian folk music is as varied as its regions. In the northern regions you will find music that has influences from the bordering countries such as France, Austria and Slovenia. In the south the music is clearly more Mediterranean with Arabic, Greek and African beats and music. Popular Italian music was born in the 19th century along the Neapolitan Coast and later on in the 20th century, American Jazz influences, rock and roll in the 1950s and 1960s followed by a stream of Italian singer-songwriters and politically charged songs. Italy was also one of the cradles of Progressive Rock. Currently Italian pop music is very similar to American pop music, including Rap and Hip-Hop. Some of the most famous Italian singers are: Enrico Caruso, Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Mina, Claudio Villa, Adriano Celentano, Gianni Morandi, Ornella Vanoni, Lucio Battisti, Patty Pravo, Zucchero, Eros Ramazzotti, Laura Pausini, Lucio Dalla, Renato Zero, Francesco De Gregori, Vasco.