Alfie Boe’s Best Ever Song: Number 6

Number 6 in Alfie Boe’s Top Ten Songs is the only representative from La Passione, Alfie’s earlier album of Neopolitan songs.  I confess to being surprised that this is the case as the vast majority of fans repeatedly voice a desire to see Alfie return to more his classical roots.  It is also the second song on the list to be written for a film soundtrack, Gli Uomini Che Mascalzoni.

Parlami D’amore Mariu was written in 1932 by Cesare Andrea Bixio and Ennio Neri for the voice of Vittorio De Sica and translated, means “Tell Me That You Love Me”.  A whole host of recordings exist, some of the most famous include Mario Lanza and Giuseppe di Stefano but the let’s look at the original:

From this version, it’s obvious that the song was written in the 1930’s and could easily be taken from a Hollywood musical of the time.  By contrast, Alfie’s version is traditionally Neapolitan and I at least had no idea of it’s origins.  The following video is from Alfie’s Bring Him Home tour (listen to the banter with the violinist first!):

If you don’t have La Passione, click on the image below to order:

la passione

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7 thoughts on “Alfie Boe’s Best Ever Song: Number 6

  1. Liz Hardman

    This is my all time favourite by Alfie. It’s the one I listen to time and time and time again (much to the annoyance of those around me!)

  2. Linda McCann

    Absolutely love it. One of my favourites from La Passione and I’m surprised to hear that’s the only on from that album in the top ten. One of the ones I’ve requested he includes in the tour – I just love how long he can hold that last note.

  3. Cecelia Powell

    Every time I hear it, my legs turn to jelly. A completely sublime rendition. Deservedly in the top ten.

  4. Cathy Haley

    I love this song! The first time I heard it was in the YouTube recording that you posted. The violin in the background and Alfie’s toned down version are wonderful. It was written as a popular ballad as you have stated in your post and when sung by an opera tenor, it can lose some of its sweet simplicity. The Three Tenors have a version from 1998 and although they don’t over sing it, their version is not as lovely as Alfie’s. I’m not surprised that it made the top ten list because it is such a romantic ballad. Judging by the snippets that I have heard of Alfie’s version of “Addio Sogni” from his new album, I predict that it will soon be one of everyone’s favourites. It is a perfect choice for him.

  5. Pauline Routier

    Thanks for posting the 1930’s recording of this ………great to hear!
    Also the original recording of Rosie……..fascinating.

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