Police beat to Albert Hall

Francesco Malapena has come a long way since he served in the Italian military police. Constabulary’s Christopher Locke is pictured with Francesco shortly before he sang to a packed house at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

How did you go from policeman to opera singer?
Living in a family of actors, singers and musicians, I was already on the stage when I was five years old. At age eleven, my father being a maker of stringed
instruments, I was initiated into violin and mandolin.

Then somebody noticed my“natural” and “suitable for the bel canto” voice and I began to study with singing teachers; long years of apprenticeship followed.

I was awarded the “Premio E Caruso” in 2004, a prestigious prize that gave me the opportunity to perform at the Metropolitan Theatre in New York, at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and in several Broadway theatres.

Everything happened for me during Columbus Day when I sang the Italian national anthem to an audience of Italian and international personalities and
former president, Bill Clinton.

What projects or operas are you working on at present?
My first priority is the worldwide release of my debut album Francesco Malapena, which took three years of intense work. It includes unpublished Neapolitan songs with a flavour of classics from the 1900s.

The composer is the amazing Roberto Bonaventura, to whom I give my warmest thanks. I ask readers to listen to these wonderful melodies in order to dive into
the old Naples, a city full of emotions and passion, characterised by the popularity of a big and ancient eternal musical tradition.

There will be many promotional concerts to spread this
masterpiece. I am also working at two wonderful operas but, as a real Neapolitan, I feel it would be
unlucky even to talk about it!

Who do you think is the best tenor in the world?
The great Enrico Caruso, a Neapolitan tenor so very close to my way of expressing feelings and sensitivity.

There are many great tenors, including Franco Corelli, Tito Schipa, Mario Del Monaco, Placido Domingo and Josè Carreras. Then there’s the unmistakable silvery voice par excellence – the great Luciano Pavarotti.

My fans think that my voice is similar to the legendary maestro’s. Defining “Big Luciano” is not easy!

Pavarotti is the most esteemed in the world among all the Italian artists. He has strengthened a magnificent and undoubted unique popularity thanks to his social commitment with “Pavarotti & Friends” and other projects such as The Three Tenors. He is a man and an artist who moved us and will do so again and again.

Becoming an international tenor is impressive! And it’s not easy to accomplish. Above all, you must have unquestionable vocal qualities then you must study assiduously and with great zeal. Moreover, you need a bit of luck in meeting the right people, who will be able to take you to the front of the stage, and last, but not least, the appraisal of the audience.

The talent of moving who is listening to you is essential. The one thing I always say is that if I’m deeply moved, I can touch and enchant other people otherwise it would be better to change my job.

From which operas do you draw inspiration?
Being a violinist and musician as well, I love all kinds of music and operas but I’m sentimentally attached to those that suit my vocal style, such as La Bohème,
La Tosca and La Traviata.

I also love the many other operas that require my kind of voice, which is defined in technical terms as “opera tenor tending to leggero”.

Name some operas you have performed in.
My opera has been La Bohème in which I played the leading role of Rodolfo and, most recently, La Traviata, performing the role of Alfredo.

It was directed by an extraordinary, clever, qualified and sensitive woman. This kind of experience enriched both the man and the artist that is Francesco Malapena.

This interview was conducted by police officer Nicola
Zichella, who is also a correspondent for Italian magazine and website AtlasOrbis.

To hear the amazing voice of Francesco Malapena visit www.francescomalapena.com/site/ and click the UK flag for the English version then go to the audio gallery. You can also buy his debut album via the website.

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