Early Life
Stuarti was born Lorenzo Scapone in Rome, Italy. His parents fled Italy for the United States when Benito Mussolini came to power, but he was left behind with an aunt who placed him in the Monte Cassino Abbey, where he was raised by monks. He joined his family in Newark, New Jersey in 1934, where he finished school and worked with his father, a baker by trade.[2]
In 1940, he joined the Merchant Marines and was assigned aboard the Liberty Ship SS Charles Pratt,[3] a Panamanian based tanker. On December 21, 1940, the ship was torpedoed by a German U-Boat. He survived the attack and after his service in the Merchant Marines, he returned to Italy for voice training in order to pursue his ambition of singing professionally. He studied for a time at the Accademia di Santa Ceccila in Rome.[2]
Broadway Career
Stuarti's first Broadway show was Hollywood Pinafore[4] followed by Nellie Bly.[5] Then in 1946, he was cast in the role of Passepartout in the Cole Porter/Orson Welles musical Around the World.[6] The production was not considered a success though, closing after a run of just seventy-five performances. Additional Broadway credits included As the Girls Go,[7] Two on an Isle, Me and Juliet,[8] and By the Beautiful Sea.[9][10] During this time he was performing under the stage names "Larry Laurence" (sometimes spelled "Lawrence") and "Larry Stuart".[11]
Recording Career
Toward the end of 1954, he took the name "Enzo Stuarti" at the suggestion of Ed Sullivan, who thought he should have a more Italian-sounding name.[2] He began reworking his voice and focusing on a career as a semi-classical vocalist. His first big break came when Jubilee Records signed him in 1960. Stuarti's debut album, We're Not Strangers (JPL 1041) enjoyed moderate success, but it was a last-minute engagement at the Plaza Hotel's Persian Room that began to get the singer noticed.[2] The press response was favorable and this prompted Jubilee to try a two-faceted promotion push. First came his second album, Enzo Stuarti at the Plaza (JLP 5022) followed by presenting the singer in an arranged promotional concert at Carnegie Hall, which was recorded and later released as a two-record set, Enzo Stuarti Arrives at Carnegie Hall (JGM2-5055). Well recorded and well produced, the album helped to establish Stuarti's standing as a vocalist and night club performer, and he considered the performance to be one of the high points of his career.[2] Next came a tribute album to the late tenor Mario Lanza, with whom Stuarti had understudied[2] and to whom he was sometimes compared.[12] This album was repeatedly re-released on several different labels under various titles.[12]
He released over 30 recordings for several labels, including Jubilee, Epic, Columbia, Roulette, Diplomat and Spin-O-Rama. During the 1960's and into the early 70's, he was a frequent guest on televisions shows such as The Tonight Show and appeared in a series of commercials for Ragú spaghetti sauce, where his catchphrase was "That's A'Nice!"[1] He played major venues in Las Vegas, New York City, and Atlantic City. He also performed at events such as Italian-American festivals. In 1983, he performed at a mass wedding presided over by Sun Myung Moon.[2]
Critical opinions of Stuarti's music were mixed. A Washington Post writer called his voice "rich in bravura and overpowering in its fullness".[2] Time described his voice as one of "cocktails-and-dancing dimensions," but said "he makes the most of it" with the help of electronic amplification.[12] Other critics complained that he was overly loud, with one writer saying "he concentrated on volume to the exclusion of style.
Personal Life
While studying in Rome, he responded to an advertisement by Ferrari race cars for test drivers. He needed the income and applied, driving professionally for a brief period. He developed a passion for cars, eventually owning more than 700 of them.[2]
Stuarti married twice. In 1942 he married Esther Mesce, with whom he had two children. They divorced in 1972. He married Thelma Donohoo in 1975.[2] He retired in 2004, and died on December 16, 2005, in Midland, Texas
'O sole mio
Enzo Stuarti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
n' serene air doppo na storm!
Pe' ll' fresh air seems na festivity already...
That beautiful thing na jurnata ' and sun.
But n' atu sun
beautiful cchiù, oje of '.
' or sun mine
Quanno makes night and ' or sun if of scenne,
me veins quase ' na malincunia;
under ' to restarria fenesta toia
quanno ago night and ' or sun if of scenne.
But n' atu sun
beautiful cchiù, oje of '.
' or sun mine
it is ' nfronte to you!
Enzo Stuarti's song O Sole Mio is a beautiful and poetic portrayal of the beauty and vitality of the sun in Naples. The lyrics of the song try to capture the magnificence of the sun shining after a storm, bringing with it a serene and refreshing air that makes the environment seem like a festival. The song continues to convey the captivating image of the sunset, where the sun seems to appear more beautiful when it is in front of the one you love. The night, which is a symbol of peace and tranquility, also brings about a feeling of melancholy, but even in those moments, the presence of the sun still remains.
The lyrics of O Sole Mio are full of metaphors and figurative language, which captivate the heart and soul of the listener. The song speaks to the deep and universal human experience of awe and admiration for the beauty of nature, especially the sun as it rises and sets. It is a song that celebrates the natural beauty of Naples while also addressing the emotions of longing, pain, and love.
Overall, the song is a poetic and expressive tribute to the city of Naples and its enthralling landscapes. It is the perfect example of how music can paint a picture, evoke emotions and leave an indelible mark on anyone who listens to it.
Line by Line Meaning
That beautiful thing na jurnata ' and sun,
The beauty of a new day with the sun shining, creating a peaceful atmosphere after a storm where the fresh air feels like a celebration.
Pe' ll' fresh air seems na festivity already...
The fresh air feels like a celebration already happening.
But n' atu sun
beautiful cchiù, oje of '.
But your beautiful face shines brighter than the sun, for me.
' or sun mine
it is ' nfronte to you!
My sun is in front of you!
Quanno makes night and ' or sun if of scenne,
When night falls and the sun sets,
me veins quase ' na malincunia;
I feel a sense of melancholy.
under ' to restarria fenesta toia
quanno ago night and ' or sun if of scenne.
I would stay under your window when night falls and the sun sets.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore
Written by: Eduardo Di Capua, Afredo Mazzucchi, Giovanni Capurro
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind