Funicular song, sung at Fellini Italian Restaurant in London

I had a wonderful evening at Fellini's opera night in London. During the interval for the main course buffet the opera singer, Davide Sorrentino, took a rest and we were serenaded by Vittorio. One of his songs which proved popular with the audience was Funicular.

I recorded the singing and worried about whether the song was in copyright. I looked it up and was amazed to find that it dates back to 1880, when it was composed for the first funicular.

Wikipedia says:
"Funiculì, Funiculà" (IPA: [funikuˈli ffunikuˈla]) is a famous Neapolitan song composed in 1880 by Luigi Denza to lyrics by Peppino Turco. It was written to commemorate the opening of the first funicular cable car on Mount Vesuvius. It was presented by Turco and Denza at the Piedigrotta festival the same year. The sheet music was published by Ricordi and sold over a million copies within a year.



Fellini restaurant and caffe has events through the year listed on their website and you will see posters or brochures outside the restaurant.

More details from

www.felliniacaffe.co.uk

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
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Opera, Neapolitan songs and One Bee Gee at Fellini Restaurant

Music, meal, drink and price
What a wonderful evening crammed with entertainment, for only £30 per person (plus pay if you order a bottle of wine and want to leave any tips). We had a three course meal. Starters, buffet style were the highlight. After some of the singing we had an interval for the main course. The price included a glass or red or white wine with the meal. After dessert, coffee or decaffeinado (decaff coffee and a small chocolate - like small wrapped Malteesa) and a Prosecco on the house to end with.

Entertainment
While waiting for our opera singer, we listened to and watched Vittorio singing Napolitan songs (from Naples).

Opera
During the meal we heard grand opera. The singer was Davide Sorrentino. He is not from Sorrento. He hails from Sicily - "It's beautiful," he said, and showed me pictures on his phone. Listening to him was like having Pavarotti in the room.

I recorded him singing La Donna e Mobile and several other songs.

During the main course interval, some more, light songs, from Vittorio, sometime in duet with Davide, 'Take me back to Sorrento', romantic songs, and a Country song pleased me.

Bee Gee
A third singer appeared, a surprise, diminutive singer, hailed as "one of the Bee Gees". I presume he is what is known as a tribute act.

His interaction with the audience was really amusing. He swayed around the tables singing to the ladies, "Will you still love me tomorrow". Once when one of the ladies joined in, he asked, "How about tonight!"

I nearly fell off my chair laughing.

The atmosphere was wonderful. By the end of the evening we were swaying, swinging our arms. The restaurant owner, Andrea Surace, was dancing with the customers.

What other events are planned? The restaurant is open New Year's Eve. See their website.

(More pictures of food and the singers and video in later posts.)
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
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