The most celebrated operatic singing trio of the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Three Tenors (Luciano Pavarotti, José Carreras, and Plácido Domingo) perform an “Around The World” medley at their legendary concert at the Los Angeles Dodger Stadium in July 1994. With the L.A. Philharmonic and the L.A. Music Center Opera Chorus conducted by Zubin Mehta, the Three Tenors sing “America” (from West Side Story), “All I Ask of You” (from The Phantom of the Opera), “Funiculì, funiculà“, “Sous les ponts de Paris”, “Brazil”, “Be my love“, “Marechiare”, “Lippen schweigen” (from Die lustige Witwe / The Merry Widow), “Santa Lucia Luntana”, “Those were the days”, “Te quiero dijiste”, and “Torna a Surriento“. Arranged and orchestrated by composer/arranger Lalo Schifrin.

The Three Tenors: Around the World [Medley]

Songs List

  1. America: is a song from the 1957 musical West Side Story. Stephen Sondheim wrote the lyrics and the legendary American conductor, composer, pianist, music educator, author, and humanitarian Leonard Bernstein (August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) composed the music.
  2. All I Ask of You: It is a song from the 1986 English musical The Phantom of the Opera, between characters Christine Daaé and Raoul, originally played on stage by Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton, respectively. It was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart, and Richard Stilgoe, and solely produced by Lloyd Webber.
  3. Funiculì, funiculà: English: “Funicular Up, Funicular Down”, is a Neapolitan song composed in 1880 by the Italian composer Luigi Denza (24 February 1846 – 27 January 1922) to lyrics by the Italian songwriter Peppino Turco (7 March 1846 – 14 October 1903). It was written to commemorate the opening of the first funicular railway on Mount Vesuvius, a volcano located on the Gulf of Naples in Campania, Italy, about 9 km (5.6 miles) east of Naples (Napoli) and a short distance from the shore.
  4. Sous les ponts de Paris: “Under the Bridges of Paris” is a 1913 popular song with music written by the French composer Vincent Scotto (21 April 1874 – 15 November 1952), the original French lyrics (entitled “Sous les ponts de Paris”) written in 1913 by the French singer-songwriter Jean Rodor (26 April 1881-14 May 1967), and English sections of lyrics added in 1952 by the American lyricist and screenwriter Dorcas Cochran (c. 1903 – July 6, 1991) resulting in the released version (1954) containing both French and English sections.
  5. Brazil: “Aquarela do Brasil” (Watercolor of Brazil), written by the Brazilian composer Ary Barroso (7 November 1903 – 9 February 1964) in 1939 and known in the English-speaking world simply as “Brazil”, is one of the most famous Brazilian songs.
  6. Be my love: It is a 1950 song written for the American tenor of Italian origin, Mario Lanza. Lyrics by the American lyricist, songwriter, and musician Sammy Cahn (June 18, 1913 – January 15, 1993), and music by the Russian-born American composer Nicholas “Slug” Brodszky (April 20, 1905 – December 24, 1958).
  1. Marechiare: It is a 1886 song by Salvatore di Giacomo and Francesco Paolo Tosti (9 April 1846, Ortona, Abruzzo – 2 December 1916, Rome). The song was inspired by Marechiaro, a small village located in the Posillipo quarter in Naples (Napoli). The legend tells that the Neapolitan poet and writer Salvatore Di Giacomo (12 March 1860 – 5 April 1934), seeing a small window on whose sill there was a carnation, had the inspiration for one of the most famous Neapolitan songs: Marechiare. Today the window still exists, and there is always a fresh carnation on the windowsill, as well as a celebratory plaque in white marble engraved with some notes of the score of the song and the names of the authors.
  2. Lippen schweigen: It is a popular aria from the operetta “Die lustige Witwe” (The Merry Widow) composed by the Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehár (30 April 1870 – 24 October 1948). The operetta premiered in Vienna in 1905 and quickly became a worldwide sensation, known for its catchy tunes and comedic storyline. “Lippen schweigen” is sung by the two main characters of the operetta, Count Danilo Danilovitsch and Hanna Glawari. It is a romantic duet that expresses their love for each other. The title “Lippen schweigen” translates to “Lips are silent” or “Keep your lips quiet” in English, and the lyrics of the song speak of the tenderness and secrecy of their love. The duet is a waltz, characterized by its lilting rhythm and enchanting melody. It begins with Hanna singing about the beauty and magic of their love, urging Danilo to keep their affection a secret. Danilo then responds, assuring her of his devotion and promising to keep their love hidden away from the prying eyes of others. The song showcases Lehár’s gift for writing captivating melodies and creating a romantic atmosphere.
  3. Santa Lucia Luntana: It is a Neapolitan written by the Italian poet, writer, and musician E. A. Mario (Giovanni Gaeta, 1884 – 24 June 1961) in 1919.
  4. Those Were the Days: It is a song credited to the American musician Gene Raskin (September 5, 1909 – June 7, 2004), who put a new English lyric to the Russian romance song “Дорогой длинною” (Romance transliteration “Dorogoj dlinnoju”, literally “By the long road”), composed by the Soviet musician and composer Boris Fomin (1900-1948) with words by the Russian Soviet poet of Polish origin Konstantin Podrevsky (1888-1930). It deals with reminiscence upon youth and romantic idealism. It also deals with tavern activities, which include drinking, singing, and dancing.
  5. Te quiero dijiste: It is a popular Spanish-language song composed by María Grever (14 September 1885 – 15 December 1951), a Mexican songwriter, and pianist, the first female Mexican composer to achieve international acclaim. The song was written in 1937 and has since become one of Grever’s most well-known compositions. It has been performed and recorded by numerous artists in various languages. The title “Te quiero dijiste” translates to “You said ‘I love you'” in English. The lyrics of the song express deep feelings of love and longing. The narrator expresses their love for someone, emphasizing the significance and impact of those three little words, “te quiero” (I love you).
  6. Torna a Surriento: It is a famous Neapolitan song composed by Italian musician Ernesto De Curtis, with lyrics by his brother, Giambattista De Curtis. The song was first published in 1902 and has since become one of the most beloved and recognized Italian songs worldwide. The title “Torna a Surriento” translates to “Come back to Sorrento” in English. The lyrics of the song speak of a longing for the beautiful coastal town of Sorrento, located in southern Italy. The song expresses a yearning to return to the picturesque landscapes, the sea, and the memories associated with the place. The melody of “Torna a Surriento” is evocative of the Italian romantic tradition, with its soaring melodies and emotional depth. It captures the essence of the Mediterranean spirit and the enchanting allure of Sorrento. The song has been recorded and performed by numerous artists, both in Italy and internationally. Renowned tenor Enrico Caruso recorded a notable rendition of “Torna a Surriento” in 1905, contributing to its early popularity. Since then, it has been interpreted by many other singers, including Mario Lanza, Luciano Pavarotti, and Andrea Bocelli, among others. “Torna a Surriento” has also been featured in several films and television shows, further cementing its status as an iconic Italian song. Its timeless melody and sentimental lyrics continue to resonate with audiences, transporting them to the idyllic landscapes of Sorrento and capturing the essence of Italian romanticism.

Sources

M. Özgür Nevres

Published by M. Özgür Nevres

I am Özgür Nevres, a software engineer, a former road racing cyclist, and also an amateur musician. I opened andantemoderato.com to share my favorite music. I also take care of stray cats & dogs. This website's all income goes directly to our furry friends. Please consider supporting me on Patreon, so I can help more animals!

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1 Comment

  1. My father was a miner in the South Wales Valley coal fields. He had a wonderful tenor voice and I grew up listening to him singing these songs. As the only breadwinner of a multi-generational family his voice was only heard by the local community, as a member of Treorchy Male Voice Choir – I always wonder what he could have become, but those days were then and this is now!

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