In Music: Classic Is Sexy
All three of them have had c… Read Full Bio ↴Biography
In Music: Classic Is Sexy
All three of them have had classical voice training, but to look at them you would guess the Appassionante singers were more at home in pulsating city night life than in an opera house: Stefania, Mara and Giorgia are young, spontaneous and drop-dead gorgeous. Just like their music that syncs with both worlds: traditional and pop. “Opera and classical music are utterly modern,” Mara says, and a fine smile plays around the corners of her mouth. “You simply have to understand and interpret it as such.” And that’s exactly what the three singers do: very convincingly and in every which way.
Appassionante, to stretch a point, means something like “thrills and chills” and the name is inseparably linked to the origin of the trio: “Our Mediterranean temperament speaks through our music,” says Giorgia, “everything that moves us as humans.” And that’s the way joy, melancholy and above all passion sound in the interplay of their voices – seductive to the ear, but also to the eye. “Who says we have to appear onstage high-necked and traditional,” Stefania explains with a charming twinkle, “we like it. Eroticism and music are two very passionate forms of communication, and together they generate a very strong language.” Stefania, Mara and Giorgia aren’t afraid to show this sensuality, in their music and in their appearance. The Appassionante girls are modern, vivacious and sexy. And the way they are divests classical sound of all its cobwebs and turns it into prospective hits. With no ifs, ands or buts.
Roman voices and international success
Life’s focal point for Appassionante is Rome. Here the girls spend their free time, draw ideas and energy from the life of the eternal city; here was also the trio’s origin. Long before Appassionante ever existed, the singers had met in Rome and come to prize each other.
Yet as much as the tone and the character of the music is infused with an Italian approach to life, the first step the trio took towards the public was in Germany: their debut album “Appassionante” was recorded 2005 in Berlin. “Germany has become a second home to us; here is where our adventure started out,” Stefania says of their beginnings, “and we have become very fond of the beauty as well as the character of this country. There’s a lot of respect here for art and also for foreign lands.” Success has, in the meantime, carried Appassionante far, from their first meeting in Rome, via the recording studio in Germany and out into the wide, wide world, all the way to South Africa and Singapore.
Salve – the new album
Via the Roman greeting of “Salve”, Appassionante is getting in touch with their public in all these countries. With an accompaniment by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra of Prague, a powerful and yet delicately beguiling coexistence of pop and classical elements wins the day. String instruments go hand in hand with danceable beats; new titles composed for “Salve” encounter classical Italian scores and worldwide triumphs from the newer history of music – and, à la Appassionante, are given a whole new face.
“Sweet Dreams, for instance, we’ve newly interpreted symphonically with an orchestra and an acoustic arrangement; the hot Latino blood of the Spanish guitar works in well – and now it’s a mix of classic, flamenco and dance,” Mara laughs. “But pieces like Sweet Dreams or The Show Must Go On are an enormous challenge for us. We approach artistic icons like Freddie Mercury only with the greatest awe and also embarrassment.”
The diversity of the album is not only manifest in the choice of musical pieces and the different styles and instrumentations, also the language ranges from Italian, English and Spanish by way of Latin all the way to Neapolitan, which is much more than just an Italian dialect.
Despite the variety in “Salve”, tradition and experimental gusto always remain in balance. For the very powerful music, also in its quiet moments, bows before Stefania, Mara and Giorgia, who in their heady voices playfully and emotionally unite the classical with the modern.
Salve was released July 25th by Maxi Media (Distribution: edel)
Stefania Francabandiera comes from the southern port town of Barletta in Apulia, at the heel of the Italian boot – maybe that’s where she derives her close emotional relationship to the sea. In any case the sea corresponds to her character with its electric tension between gentle swells and underlying power: Stefania spends her free time with literature, her penchant for sensual clothes – and kickboxing at a fitness studio. For this certified early riser, this is an ideal combination for the care of mind and body. Stefania studied classical voice in Bari, but also worked with internationally known pop greats like Zucchero or Eros Ramazzotti before she launched her own project with Appassionante.
Mara Tanchi’s motto is: “Today is the first day of your life!” And true to this motto she plans her daily routine: meeting friends, dancing and turning the night to day in Rome’s heat – and, contrary to Stefania, as far as possible not getting up before noon. But there are also quieter moments; from time to time Mara retires to the seclusion of a small mountain village and lets it all hang out. Mara doesn’t come from the Italian mainland; she was born on Sardinia. Musically she at first chose the classical mode and studied at the conservatory in Bologna; her voice even took her to the Vatican where she sang for the Pope. With Appassionate she can link her training to her musical predilections: Mara’s idols are Freddie Mercury and Whitney Houston.
Giorgia Villa has many very different enthusiasms. One of them is for the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda who was awarded the 1971 Nobel prize for literature, another one for painting, and a third is one she nurtures in common with many women: she collects shoes. Giorgia is Roman by birth and grew up south of Rome in Frosinone, the capital of the province of the same name. She was drawn very early to London to study classical and modern music. And a little also to conquer the world from there: Giorgia worked with musical artists like Gary Barlow, Robbie Williams and others. But the film “La dolce vita”, Federico Fellini’s masterpiece, sparked in her a fascination with her native city. Once she arrived, the road to Appassionante was not far: since 2007 she has been Emma Ahren’s successor.
The Show Must Go On
Appassionante Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Abandoned places, I guess we know the score.
On and on!
Does anybody know what we are looking for?
Another hero, another mindless crime.
Behind the curtain, in the pantomime.
Hold the line!
The Show must go on!
The Show must go on!
Inside my heart is breaking,
My make-up may be flaking,
But my smile, still, stays on!
Whatever happens, I'll leave it all to chance.
Another heartache, another failed romance.
On and on!
Does anybody know what we are living for?
I guess I'm learning
I must be warmer now.
I'll soon be turning round the corner now.
Outside the dawn is breaking,
But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free!
The Show must go on.
The Show must go on.
Inside my heart is breaking.
My make-up may be flaking.
But my smile, still, stays on.
My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies,
Fairy tales of yesterday, will grow but never die,
I can fly, my friends!
The Show must go on!
The Show must go on!
I'll face it with a grin!
I'm never giving in!
On with the show!
The Show must go on!
The Show must go on!
I'll top the bill
I'll overkill
I have to find the will to carry on
On with the,
On with the show!
The song "The Show Must Go On" by Appassionante emphasizes the importance of perseverance and determination in the face of obstacles. The song takes on a somber tone as it asks questions about the meaning of life and the search for purpose amidst turmoil. The empty spaces and abandoned places symbolize a lack of meaning, and the repeated question of "Does anybody know what we are looking for?" suggests a sense of confusion and lostness. However, the chorus brings a sense of hope as it declares that despite the difficulties, the show must go on.
The verses tell a story of the hardships faced by the performer, who must put on a brave face and continue with the show even as their heart is breaking. The line "Whatever happens, I'll leave it all to chance" suggests a willingness to take risks and face challenges head-on. The artist acknowledges their failed relationships and heartaches but declares that they will persevere and learn from the experiences. The ending of the song highlights the importance of finding joy in the midst of struggle and pushing forward with determination.
Line by Line Meaning
Empty spaces, what are we living for?
What is the purpose of our existence when we feel so empty and lost?
Abandoned places, I guess we know the score.
The desolate surroundings remind us of the inevitable outcome: our lives will come to an end, and we will be forgotten.
On and on!
The relentless cycle of questioning and uncertainty continues.
Does anybody know what we are looking for?
We are all searching, but are we ever going to find what we truly desire?
Another hero, another mindless crime.
Despite the countless individuals who aspire to make a difference, there seem to be just as many committing atrocities that sap our faith in humanity.
Behind the curtain, in the pantomime.
Behind the facade of everyday life, there is a sense of falseness and theatricality that we can't escape.
Hold the line!
We must remain steadfast in the face of adversity and never give up.
Does anybody want to take it anymore?
Have we all reached our breaking points and lost our will to persevere?
The Show must go on!
Despite the obstacles and trials we face, life keeps moving and we must keep up with it.
Inside my heart is breaking,
Despite the external appearance of strength and resilience, internally there is a sense of heartbreak and pain.
My make-up may be flaking,
The mask we wear to hide our inner turmoil may begin to crack and falter.
But my smile, still, stays on!
Despite our struggles, we continue to put on a brave face and pretend that everything is okay.
Whatever happens, I'll leave it all to chance.
We have little control over our lives and must accept whatever fate throws our way.
Another heartache, another failed romance.
An endless cycle of emotional pain and disappointment.
I guess I'm learning
Through our hardships, we gain knowledge and wisdom.
I must be warmer now.
We must approach life with more empathy and warmth towards ourselves and others.
I'll soon be turning round the corner now.
There is always a chance for a new beginning, a new opportunity waiting just around the corner.
Outside the dawn is breaking,
In the midst of darkness and despair, there is always a glimmer of hope for better things to come.
But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free!
Despite the possibility of new beginnings, we feel trapped and burdened by our struggles.
My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies,
Our souls are fragile and fleeting, like the delicate wings of butterflies.
Fairy tales of yesterday, will grow but never die,
The memories of our past will never truly fade, but continue to shape us as we move forward.
I can fly, my friends!
Despite our limitations, we can always strive to reach new heights and achieve our dreams.
I'll face it with a grin!
We must approach life with a positive attitude, even in the face of adversity.
I'm never giving in!
We must never lose hope or give up on our dreams.
I'll top the bill
We will achieve our goals and be the best we can be.
I'll overkill
We will go above and beyond what is expected of us, pushing ourselves to the limit.
I have to find the will to carry on
We must find the strength within ourselves to persevere even when it seems impossible.
On with the show!
Life continues, and we must keep moving forward with courage and determination.
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Roger Taylor, John Deacon, Brian May, Freddie Mercury
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rossella Pulimeno
Eccezionali. Divine.
MrMercurio1975
Da fan dei Queen.....non male