ReCovered: "Une Amore Cosi Grande"

One of the most exquisite "modern classics" from Italy, and certainly one of the most popular, "Une Amore Cosa Grande" ("A Love So Great") was written by Guido Maria Ferilli (born 1949), and first recorded by Mario Del Monaco in 1976.  After making a massive international splash, it dropped off the charts until it was performed by Claudio Villa at the Sanremo Festival in 1984.  Subsequently, it has been covered by many artists, as seen below.  I'm not including Del Monaco's or Villa's versions, because, although they came first, they were not particularly impressive: they succeeded because the song itself, not their performances, was great.  Instead, we begin with a typically sublime rendition by Andrea Bocelli:

A rough translation of the lyrics may be found below.  To demonstrate the variety of styles in which the song can be presented, here is Maria Pierantoni Giua singing it at the Sanremo Festival in 2008:

The song doesn't change very much from one performer to another, does it?  But that's not a bad thing; not every great song needs to be  be performed polka-style, or by a kazoo band.  Here is another impressive performance by the teenage trio, Il Volo:

A somewhat dramatic (or at least emphatic) performance is provided by Manuela Villa. The daughter of the fabled Claudio Villa, Manuela is an actress and author, as well as a singer, so perhaps her imperfections should not be held against her.  She certainly sings con brio, and if she's not exactly a coloratura, she's no worse a pop singer than Shirley Bassey, of whom she reminds me.  See what you think. 
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But we've saved the best (in my opinion) the last.  Let's see how this gentleman handles a simple pop song. He is assisted in his efforts here by Henry Mancini's orchestra. I hope you enjoy it!

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A Love So Great 

I can feel your breath

On my face
So dear as only you can be
Always sweeter and sweeter

Thank you
For everything that you give me

I'm speechless once again

And your scent
Is getting closer and closer
Hold on tight to me
Don't ask yourself why 

The evening falls down
I'll go crazy at night
In the depths of your eyes 

(Chorus)

A love so great

A love so....

Warm in and out

Around us
A brief silence and then
Your lips light up

Once again

A brief silence and then
Your lips light up
Once again

For me 

(Repeat)

And your scent
Is getting closer and closer
Hold on tight to me
Don't ask yourself why

(Chorus)

The evening falls down
I'll go crazy at night
In the depths of your eyes
Burning mine

(Chorus)

 

Guido Maria Ferilli