Michelangelo Nari

The CD “Vous permettez, Aznavour?” is available!

August 3, 2020July 18, 2020 by Michelangelo Nari

Good morning my friends! I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday gift: from today on, the CD “Vous permettez, Aznavour?” is officially available on this website.

Would you like to enter this world with me? Order your copy by clicking here.

For each CD purchased, I will make a €1 charitable donation to the Aznavour Foundation, which deals with cultural and humanitarian projects all over the world.

You’re more than welcome to share with me a comment, a review, a criticism or an emotion, if you wish; write me on my social medias or by mail, to info@michelangelonari.com.

Thanks!

The video trailer for “Vous permettez, Aznavour?”

July 18, 2020July 10, 2020 by Michelangelo Nari

Just 8 days left before the release of the CD “Vous permettez, Aznavour?”!

In the past few weeks I have made all the ritual presentations, but now here is a small preview: a video trailer with songs and backstage clips at PlayRec Recording Studio, where everything has been recorded and mixed by the talented Fabio Fraschini.
Thanks to Giovanni De Filippi for filming and editing, and thanks to you if you will enter in this musical world.

The CD will be available from next Saturday on this website… enjoy the video!

The cover of the album “Vous permettez, Aznavour?”

July 17, 2020July 3, 2020 by Michelangelo Nari

When we had to think about the graphic layout of the CD “Vous permettez, Aznavour?” I found myself in front of many possible directions: how to communicate a “sacred” and historical repertoire like the one of the great chansonnier, trying to combine respect for him with my identity?

My great friend Fabio Mereghetti (art director for many years for Warner Bros) took care of all the graphic part of the booklet and suggested that I would think about one of the most intimate places for those who step on stage: the dressing room.
I imagined then approaching Aznavour’s “loge”, perhaps before or after one of his concerts, and timidly knocking on the door, asking him in some way for his assent to be able to approach his songs and try to reinterpret them in my own way.

Who knows if Monsieur Charles would have agreed, perhaps he would have smiled slyly and declaimed some lines of one of his songs:

“Forgive me if I have nothing in common with any of you,

I am a histrion to whom the scene gives the right dimension”

I remind you that the CD will be available on this site starting from July 18th, we’re almost there!

Aznavour’s Sirens – vol. 3: Eleonora Segaluscio

July 15, 2020June 26, 2020 by Michelangelo Nari

In the past few weeks I have presented you with the first two “Aznavour’s Sirens”, Rosy Messina and Stefania Fratepietro. In today’s post I will tell you about the last female voice who sang with me on the album “Vous Permettez, Aznavour?”: A young but very talented girl who has had so many experiences already, with a fresh and energetic voice, at ease with French language and full of joy: Eleonora Segaluscio.

The song that Eleonora and I sing together is “J’aime Paris au mois de Mai”, a 1950s song that is rearranged here in a jazz style, in the wake of the 2014 duet between Aznavour and Zaz. A hymn to the beauty of the Ville Lumière, which flourishes again in May leaving room for lightheartedness and good humor.

“J’aime Paris au mois de mai quand les bourgeons renaissent

qu’une nouvelle jeunesse sempare de la vieille cité qui se met à rayonner”

BIOGRAPHY:

Singer / actress, born in 1997, from Rome. In 2011 she began studying singing and solfeggio at the “Viva Musica More Than Music” school in Rome. After obtaining the Diploma and the French BAC at the Liceo Linguistico Lucio Lombardo Radice she finally decided to try to undertake what would be her future: Musical Theatre. In 2018 she ended her studies at the Caracciolo Musical School in Rome.

In 2017 she also began her adventure in sung dubbing at the Emme Studio in Rome. She is the Italian singing voice of Betty Cooper, lead in the TV series “Riverdale”. She also worked in cartoons such as “Teen Titans”, “Adventure Time”, “Wacky Races” and “Unikitty”.

In theatre she played Idunn in “The legend of Thor” and Sara in “A Christmas Carol”, with the music by M. Simone Martino. She is also the Mother at the PalaPartenope Complex in Naples for “Il Miracolo di Marcellino”, a work composed by Mons. Marco Frisina under the direction of R. Trucchi and A. Melissa.

From 2018 she is part of the all-female French company “Les jeunes filles en fleur”, with which she stages “Le rouge et le noir – Opera Rock” and “La salle de bain”.

Aznavour’s Sirens – vol. 2: Stefania Fratepietro

July 15, 2020June 19, 2020 by Michelangelo Nari

While the album is almost complete, I go on to introducing all those who have collaborated in its realization. This week I will tell you about the second Siren: Stefania Fratepietro.

A warm, elegant, enveloping and silky voice, an intense interpreter who immediately proved to be perfect for this project; it was a real pleasure to have her sing with me also because, for geographical reasons, Stefania brings me back to my childhood and my origins. We come from the same town in Liguria, did you know we even attended the same high school?

Stefania duets with me in “Mon émouvant amour”, a song in which Aznavour talks about love and the way of communicating this feeling with a mute girl: a bond that goes beyond words, that lives in vibrations, looks and energies. A song that was sung with many great performers, including Liza Minnelli.

“… a moving dance that you set for me, your fascinating gestures look like embroidery,

then when you point out that you love me, I understand that I like to see your voice”

BIOGRAPHY:

Singer, actress, dancer, producer and teacher, Stefania Fratepietro trained in Italy and abroad.

She has more than 40 shows under her belt. She’s the lead in al lot of important musicals and shows; she is Beatrice in “La Divina Commedia”, Tosca in “Tosca”, Mercedes in “Il Conte di Montecristo”, Mimi in “Rent”, Ermengarda in “Hello Dolly”, Penelope in “Odysseus”, Serena in “Fame”, Jannyanydots in “Cats”, Carlotta in “The Mission”, Svetlana in “Chess”, Lady Macduff in “Macbeth”, Francesca in “Paolo and Francesca”. She is also on stage with “Grease”, “The little shop of horrors”, “Gastone”, “Promesse Promesse” and many more.

She has worked with important directors, actors and productions, such as Ennio Morricone, Riz Ortolani, Marco Frisina, Gino Landi, Dino Scuderi, Enrico Lamanna, Johnny Dorelli, Loretta Goggi, Marco Simeoli, Lorella Cuccarini, Giampiero Ingrassia, Renato Greco, Saverio Marconi, Fabrizio Angelini, Stefano Genovese, Gianluca Guidi, Massimo Venturiello, Tosca. She has performed in several prestigious opera houses such as La Fenice in Venice, Arcimboldi in Milan, Cairo Opera House, Alexandria in Egypt, Seoul, Harbin (China), Montecarlo.

She is the producer and performer of three award-winning shows: “Ciao Amore Ciao – Tenco and Dalida between music and love”, “I Love You Are Perfect Now Change” and “Tomorrow Morning”.

She has won two awards for best actress, and she is vocal coach for the new Marvel Cartoon Network park in Dubai (IMG) and for the Premium Projects in Doha in Qatar. Artistic director of the Darec Academy in Rome, she is a teacher of the Caracciolo Academy Musical School and Management and of various academies in Rome and throughout Italy.

The photo on stage is by Paolo Cencioni

Aznavour’s Sirens – vol. 1: Rosy Messina

July 15, 2020June 12, 2020 by Michelangelo Nari

Like Ulysses, on the journey to the album “Vous Permettez, Aznavour?” I was tempted by three Sirens: some really special colleagues and friends (not always an obvious combination), with splendid voices and extraordinary musicality. They sang with me in three beautiful duets, each one I think very suitable to their vocal style and nature.

Today I present the first one: a volcano of energy, a partner in many adventures, a great talent filled with passion and dedication: Rosy Messina.

Rosy performs with me in the duet “Ti lasci andare”, a song that Charles Aznavour sang with Iva Zanicchi in 1971: a tired couple, who sticks together without enthusiasm or passion, but who still has the desire to rediscover and find the freshness of the past.

Rosy and I have already been in many shows together, and we are not that tired of each other yet… The hope is that there will be many new experiences to live and share together, always with the same overwhelming good humor.

“… try to be back that girl, the one who came singing towards me long time ago

And just like then, hold me tight till you will let go”

BIOGRAPHY:

Rosy Messina was born in Caltagirone (CT) on 08/24/1985. She graduated in classical and modern dance and then obtained her Musical theory and Solfeggio license at the Bellini Conservatory in Catania. She moved to Rome and continued her education by taking the Orff Schulwerk methodology qualification, studying at the Cinecittà Musical Academy and graduating in Literature, Music and Arts.

On TV, she is a finalist of All Together Now, show hosted by Michelle Hunziker and J. Ax, on Canale 5, and solo singer in the Rosso Alice program “Imparare cantando”, with Beppe Vessicchio and Gabriella Scalise; she is also a dancer for “Domenica in Onda” with Lorella Cuccarini.

In theater she is on stage all over Italy with various shows: solo singer in “Le Cirque du Cirill” with Gabriele Cirilli, Wednesday in “The Addams Family” (directed by C. Insegno), Cristina in “Sanremo Musical” (directed by I Biffi), Elise in “Georgie” (directed by B. Platania) and lead in “Heathers” (directed by B. Platania and M. Sindici); she is also on stage with “L’ultima strega” (directed by A. Palotto), “Se il tempo fosse un gambero” (directed by S. Marconi), “Wojtyla Generation Love Rock Musical (directed by R. Avallone),”Raffaello e la leggenda della Fornarina”(directed by M. Sindici).

She is a backup singer for Alex Britti on the MTV Unplugged tour, for Fiorella Mannoia on the album “A te” – tribute to Lucio Dalla, for Renato Zero in “Amici di Maria de Filippi” and for Annalisa Minetti; she is also the choir director for the Oscars of the Italian musical (directed by Marco Simeoli and with the music by Maestro D. Scuderi).

She recently released the album “Bam bam bam”, available on digital stores.

Aznavour’s tailors – vol. 2

July 15, 2020June 5, 2020 by Michelangelo Nari

Good morning, my friends!

Here in Rome the production of the album continues nonstop; the clothes created for these songs are really beautiful and elegant, I hope they will please you in the same way that they thrill me!

Today I present to you the other two “costume designers”, who have been able to give a refined and particular touch to the 10 tracks on the CD with their skill: Stefano Alagi (bass) and Valerio De Negri (sax, clarinet, flute).

Stefano Alagi was born in Rome, where he started playing at the age of 11 and studied at the Morlacchi Conservatory in Perugia. He played with a quartet led by Giampaolo Ascolese and collaborated with numerous artists, including Stefano Senesi (pianist with Renato Zero and Francesco De Gregori). He had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Phil Palmer and the Irakere (Cuba). He played on the CD “Curvatura 9” by Carlo Pasceri and collaborated as a sound engineer for Stef Burns (guitarist with Vasco Rossi). He also composed, arranged and recorded the CD “Stakes” in his studio. He is currently part of the “Airport passengers” group with which he is recording their second album. He collaborates as bass player and sound engineer on the CD “Destinations” of Carlo Molinari. In September 2017 he founded the musical association AlagiSound (recording studio and rehearsal room), where he works as a sound engineer and electric bass teacher.

Valerio De Negri was born in Civitavecchia and since he was a child he has been studying the Clarinet graduating in 1997 at the Conservatory of Latina. In 2000 he joined the Navy Musical Band, with which he performed in numerous concerts in Italy and abroad. His artistic and professional growth passes through the studies of Composition at the Conservatory of S. Cecilia in Rome (Lower Complement), a long choral experience, both as a chorister and director, and an intense theatrical activity (stage and musical) both as an actor / performer and as a director; recently he approached the study of the saxophone and transverse flute, instruments with which he delves into repertories such as swing with “TheBigBandTheory”, popular repertoires from Campania with “Taranterrae” and traditional Neapolitan pieces with “Song ‘e Napule” (led by actor, voice actor and director Vincenzo Avolio). At the same time, he carries out a fruitful professional collaboration with the “City of Rome” Symphony Orchestra and with the “Virtuosi di Roma” Orchestra.

Aznavour’s tailors – vol. 1

July 15, 2020May 29, 2020 by Michelangelo Nari

A musical project like “Vous permettez, Aznavour?” would not have been possible without the collaboration of many other splendid professionals who have accepted to contribute with their talent and passion.

In this post and in the next one I will introduce you to the fantastic musicians who “dressed” the songs on the CD and who will also accompany me in the live concert (which, may I remind you, is modular according to the context and specific needs of the venue). Today it is Mauro Scardini’s (piano) and Stefano Marazzi’s (drums) turn.

Mauro Scardini was born in Tivoli and started playing the piano from an early age, with his father, also a pianist, as his first teacher. He founded the Electric City with Massimiliano Cignitti, publishing his first self-titled CD in 1999, containing his own songs, and in 2002 he published a second album with the participation of Gegè Telesforo, Daniele Scannapieco and Pietro Ciancaglini. In 2019 he took part in the “One” album by Mike della Bella Project, that boasts productions in Japan and Sweden. He currently collaborates with Pierdavide Carone, Pino Insegno, Roberto Ciufoli, Andrea Perroni, Stefano Masciarelli, Federico Perrotta, Valentina Olla and carries out an intense live activity in national clubs and theaters.

Stefano Marazzi, professional drummer, has been working for years in the world of entertainment, starring in tours, television broadcasts, musicals and shows of various kinds with some of the most important artists of the Italian and international music scene. Among his collaborations: Anastacia, Pino Daniele, Malika Ayane, Fiordaliso, Lodovica Comello, Serena Autieri and many others.

Happy birthday, Aznavour!

July 15, 2020May 22, 2020 by Michelangelo Nari

It is the 22nd of May 1924 and in Paris we witness the birth, from a couple of Armenian immigrants, of he who would become one of the most famous and appreciated French songwriters of the twentieth century. A chansonnier, an interpreter, a source of inspiration for many singers in the decades to come… and, in my own small way, for me as well.

That is why I decided to “give birth” to this website on this very day; a space dedicated to me but above all to my project on Charles Aznavour: a self-produced CD containing the covers of his most beautiful songs and a theatrical concert, in which I will try to share the emotions of his stories.

In the upcoming weeks I will tell you about all of this, introducing the various pieces of this puzzle and tell you all the news … for now, focus on two more important dates:

On July 18th through the website you will be able to book the CD I am completing (consider it a birthday present!)
On October 1st, on the anniversary of Aznavour’s death, I will announce the first official date for the concert (location and details yet to be defined)

Thanks to all who collaborated with me in the realization of all of this… and thanks to you for browsing these pages, they mean so much to me!