The voice of romance

When the subject of music from Italy crops up, the first tunes that come to mind are arias from famous operas like Un Bel Di from Puccini’s Madama Butterfly or the old-time standards like O Sole Mio or Torna a Sorrento. Of course, the performers that we believe go well with these are usually the classical artists like Luciano Pavarotti or Andrea Bocelli and if you want somebody younger Alejandro Safina.

But like all countries in the world today, Italy also has its own pop music industry and its singing idols are among the biggest in the world. Think Zucchero or Eros Ramazotti. Unfortunately though, very few people hereabouts have heard of them or listened to their songs because most of their available recordings are in Italian. Expect that situation to change very soon because Patrizio Buanne has made it his life’s mission to introduce this part of the world to the beauty of the Italian love song.

The handsome, urbane and utterly passionate young man from Naples is now in the midst of a hectic tour to various Asian countries to promote his new album Forever Begins Tonight. With this he hopes to let people everywhere know that Italy also has singers, like him, a baritone who does not rock, sing mindless pop or desires to do opera.

Patrizio started singing as a child but studied to be a translator. Nothing much happened to that career move although he now speaks six languages and quickly picks up words and phrases wherever he visits. He instead grew up to become an actor and presenter on TV where his good looks and bubbly personality earned him some success. But what he wanted most was to sing.

One day, Patrizio put together all the money he had saved and decided to record an album in the style of the lushly orchestrated recordings of Celine Dion. The result was L’Italiano, a grand production, which was recorded at the historic Abbey Road studios in London with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. A big hit, the album easily established Buanne as a stylish, sophisticated singing star, who dresses well and charms the ladies with his impeccable manners.

This image goes very well with the elegant arrangements of familiar melodies in English and Italian he has chosen for his repertoire. This is very similar to that of the romantic crooners that Patrizio grew up with and whom he desires to emulate. His father played only Italian music around the house and the songs he recalls listening to as a child were those by crooners with Italian forebears like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Perry Como and others. Like them he wants to sing of love, romance and beauty in this world.

There is more of the same in Forever Begins Tonight, which is Patrizio’s second album. He sticks to his successful formula. Soaring melodies, full-bodied and heartfelt vocals that echo Engelbert Humperdinck. He mixes English and Italian lyrics like Rico Puno did with the Manila Sound long ago, so that people all over the world will be able to understand what he is singing about.

The carrier single is the title track. It is a new original but is very hummable with its very commercial hooks. Sure to be a hit with lots of Pinoys are Patrizio’s covers of some oldies. They will instantly recognize Un Angelo (Angels), Io Che Non Vivo (You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me), Vives En Mi Corazon (Always on My Mind), Only You (Solo Tu), You’re My World (Il Mio Mondo) and Bella Bella Signorina.

With these songs Patrizio hopes to become the voice of Italy, the young embodiment of romance in his home country. Just as Ricky Martin is the voice of Puerto Rico or Luis Miguel of Mexico, Robbie Williams of the UK and Michael Bublé of North America. Hopefully his will be a career as hit-filled and enduring as that of another one of his heroes, Tom Jones or better yet of 80-year-old Tony Bennett who has been performing for 60 years. It is a pretty tall order but Patrizio has the voice, the looks, the talent and I must add also the means to make it happen.

He leaves Manila today with CDs of Freddie Aguilar, whose music he admires and of Victor Wood, whom he still has to hear. He will surely be surprised to find out that he has something in common with the local Jukebox King. Years ago, Wood channeled the romantic sound of Humperdinck for some of his hit recordings. Remember, Patrizio has recorded covers of Il Mondo, A Man Without Love and You’re My World. Come to think of it, he mixes English and Italian just like Rico mixed English and Tagalog. Looks there is not really much of a difference among passionate, romantic crooners in any part of this world.