Jimmy Roselli sings Anema E Core

Written by Gina Perregrino

Mezzo-soprano

In category: Song of the Day

Published February 4, 2020

When I was asked to do the NYFOS Song of the Day I was intrigued (and overwhelmed!) by the possibilities of what I could present over five days. There is an endless amount of repertoire in all styles and genres—how do you choose?! So, I went with what I know: my favorites. I know that many past bloggers have stuck within the rich classical realm, but the truth is, no matter how much I adore it now, I didn’t grow up listening to classical music. The songs that you will hear and read about over the next four days are songs by artists who have shaped who I am today as an interpreter of song. Enjoy!

Today’s song is Anema e Core “Heart and Soul” by Jimmy Roselli. I grew up in a tight knit Italian family on my father’s side and it was during a visit in my childhood to my Zizi (uncle and aunt) Ercole and Rita’s house that I first learned about Jimmy Roselli. After a big dinner, Uncle Earl took me into the living room and put Jimmy Roselli’s CD into the stereo. I immediately fell in love! I have always loved and felt close to Neapolitan song, but the way Jimmy interprets and sings these classics has stuck in my head as the ultimate epitome of the Neapolitan style. Almost two decades later, I still listen to Jimmy Roselli almost every time I cook or need to feel a sense of home. I put on this album and immediately smell the garlic! 

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Praised by Opera News and ArtsATL as a “standout”, young American mezzo Gina Perregrino is already garnering attention on stages around the country. In 2018, she made her company debut with the Santa Fe Opera as Paquette in Candide, where she returned in 2019 to sing the role of Pastuchyna in Janáček’s Jenůfa and was awarded a grant. In 2017, Gina made her company debut at Central City Opera where she sang the title role in a performance of Carmen. She has also been heard at Minnesota Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Lyric Opera of Guatemala, Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Delaware, Opera Philadelphia, Dallas Opera, and The Atlanta Opera. Gina was a NYFOS 2019 Schwab Vocal Rising Star and particularly loves boleros, rancheros, and Neapolitan song. She is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music in New York City.

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