Last night, it Chalet by Luigi of San Benedetto del Tronto it was the evocative setting of a cultural event that captured the interest of many: the meeting with Elena Bonelli, singer and writer. This appointment was part of the prestigious “Meetings with the Author” event of the I Places of Writing Association and saw Elena Bonelli dialogue with Juana Romandini. The evening opened with the voice of Bonelli herself through the interpretation of “Er Barcarolo”, a Roman song known and loved not only nationally, but also internationally. Bonelli then guided the audience through a fascinating journey into the life of Gabriella Ferri, one of the most unforgettable interpreters of the Roman song protagonist of Bonelli’s book: “Io, Gabriella Ferri. An Italian story”. He told of his childhood in Rome, his struggles and his extraordinary successes in the world of music and theater. Ferri, with his unique voice and his magnetic stage presence, was a revolutionary figure who marked an era, becoming a symbol of Roman song and an inspiration for many artists.
Bonelli’s presentation also touched on the social changes of the Sixties, a period of great cultural and musical ferment. Through the narration of Ferri’s life, Bonelli illustrated how music can reflect and influence social changes, underlining the importance of Roman song in the context of these transformations. In addition to celebrating Gabriella Ferri, Elena Bonelli offered an in-depth historical excursus on Roman song, exploring its origins, its evolutions and its peculiarities. You talked about stornelli, a form of popular song typical of the Roman tradition, and compared the Roman song with the Neapolitan one.
«It’s like Neapolitan and Roman music – explained the author of the book – they were twins born from the same mother’s womb. At a certain point, however, one was adopted by a noble family in Naples, the Aragona. When Alfonso D’Aragona arrived from Spain he adopted those spontaneous street songs and brought the artists to court. So he created a category of people who dedicated themselves to that music».
The Roman song instead “remained” on the street: «It was adopted by the people – explained Bonelli – and it was raised without any kind of lucky support like the Neapolitan one which had been adopted by the nobles. It is a popular song that is played among neighbors, in restaurants or taverns, from window to window».
The meeting allowed the public to rediscover the richness of the Roman musical tradition and to appreciate the cultural and historical value of these songs. Elena Bonelli managed to convey the importance of preserving and enhancing this musical heritage, keeping the memory of figures such as Gabriella Ferri alive. In short, the evening at the Chalet da Luigi was a success. He talked about music, history and culture. Elena Bonelli has demonstrated once again that she is a precious guardian of the Roman musical tradition, capable of carrying forward the legacy of unforgettable artists with dedication and talent.
