Pasquale Esposito: Il Tempo

[clock ticking] PASQUALE: Il tempo, or the time, is the most precious thing that we possess.

Music is a wonderful way to transport you to important moments in your life.

A song can remind us of a person, a memory, a joyful event and also the sad times of our lives.

Join me as I take you on a musical journey, sharing songs that have played an important role in my personal life and musical career.

With these songs I reflect upon my Italian and Neapolitan roots, my journey into the United States, and most of all, love.

Or as we say in Italian: "That's Amore."

In Napoli where love has been When boy meets girl Here's what they say When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie That's amore That's amore When the world seems to shine Like you've had too much wine That's amore That's amore Bells will ring ting-a-ling-a-ling Ting-a-ling-a-ling And you'll sing "Vita bella" Hearts will play tippy-tippy-dee Tippy-tippy-day Like a gay tarantella Lucky fella When the stars make you drool just like pasta e fasul That's amore That's amore When you dance down the street With a cloud at your feet You're in love When you walk in a dream But you know you're not dreaming, signore Scusami, but you see, back in old Napoli That's amore Hey, guys, let's make it faster!

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie That's amore When the world seems to shine Like you've had too much wine That's amore Bells will ring, ting-a-ling-a-ling Ting-a-ling-a-ling And you'll sing "Vita bella" Hearts will play, tippy-tippy-dee Tippy-tippy-day Like a gay tarantella Lucky fella When the stars make you drool just like pasta e fasul That's amore When you dance down the street with a cloud at your feet You're in love [applause] When you walk in a dream But you know you're not dreaming, signore Scusami, but you see, back in old Napoli That's amore When you walk in a dream But you know you're not dreaming, signore Scusami, but you see, back in old Napoli That's amore That's amore That's amore That's amore That's amore [applause] Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

Here in Naples, in my hometown, at Teatro Politeama di Napoli in Italy.

I have a joy to share the stage tonight with Orchestra Talenti Napoletani... [applause] ...conducted by maestro Ettore Gatta.

[applause] Well, I am in Naples, Italy.

As you can imagine in Naples, Italy, we have so many, so much beautiful things: great pizza, pasta e fasul, like the song says, pizza pie, that's amore, but also we have amazing music.

I like to sing for you one of the most famous Neapolitan songs.

It's called "Luna Rossa."

[applause] [audience clapping rhythmically] Vaco distrattamente abbandunato Ll'uocchie sott'o cappiello annascunnute Mane 'int'a sacca e bavero aizato Vaco siscanno e stelle ca so'asciute Vaco siscanno e stelle ca so'asciute E'a luna rossa mme parla 'e te Io lle domando si aspiette a me E mme risponne: "Si 'o vvuo'sape" "Cca nun ce esta nisciuna" E io chiammo 'o nomme pe'te vede Ma, tutt'a gente ca parla 'e te Risponne: "E tarde che vuo'sape?!"

"Cca nun ce sta nisciuna!"

Cca nun ce sta nisciuna Luna rossa, chi mme sarra sincera?

Luna rossa se n'e ghiuta ll'ata sera senza mme vede E io chiammo 'o nomme pe'te vede Ma, tutt'a gente ca parla 'e te Risponne: "E tarde che vuo'sape?!"

"Cca nun ce sta nisciuna!"

E io dico ancora ch'aspetta a me For'o barcone stanott'e ttre E prega 'e Sante pe'mme vede Cca nun ce sta nisciuna Cca nun ce sta nisciuna Cca nun ce sta nisciuna Cca nun ce sta nisciuna [applause] This show, it's called "Il Tempo."

I strongly believe that the time is the most precious thing that we have.

And the time goes by so fast, so the fact that you are here tonight, either that you are over there on television or you are here in this audience, means so much to me, because you are dedicating to me the most precious thing that you have.

And it's not your money, it's not your car, it's not your house.

It's your time!

Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen, to be here tonight.

Grazie!

[applause] Parla pi piano e nessuno sentir Il nostro amore lo viviamo io e te Nessuno sa la verit Neppure il cielo che ci guarda da lass Parla pi piano e vieni pi vicino a me Voglio sentire gli occhi miei dentro di te Nessuno sa la verit un grande amore e mai pi grande esister Insieme a te io rester Amore mio, sempre cos Parla pi piano e vieni pi vicino a me Voglio sentire gli occhi miei dentro di te Nessuno sa la verit un grande amore e mai pi grande esister Insieme a te io rester Amore mio, sempre cos Oh!

Parla pi piano e vieni pi vicino a me Voglio sentire gli occhi miei dentro di te Nessuno sa la verit un grande amore e mai pi grande esister un grande amore e mai pi grande esister un grande amore mai pi grande esister [applause] Many of these artists that through the years inspired my life, but since I moved in the United States, I start to follow all these amazing tenors, and one that really touched my life that died very early at the age of 38 years old, were two of them that died very early.

One was Enrico Caruso, and one is Mario Lanza.

[applause] Be my love For no one else can end this yearning This need that you and you alone create Just fill my arms the way you've filled my dreams The dreams that you inspire with every sweet desire Be my love, and with your kisses set me burning One kiss is all I need to seal my fate And hand in hand, we'll find love's promised land There'll be no one but you for me Eternally If you will be my love And hand in hand We'll find love's promised land There'll be no one but you for me Eternally If you will be my love [applause] I'd like to share with you some memories that I have about one of the most important person in my life, and in many people life-- it's your mother.

Enjoy!

[applause] Mamma, son' tanto felice Perch ritorno da te La mia canzone ti dice Che il pi bel giorno per me Mamma, son' tanto felice Vivere lontano perch Mamma Solo per te la mia canzone vola Mamma, sarai con me Tu non sarai pi sola Quanto ti voglio bene Queste parole d'amore Che ti sospira il mio cuore Forse non s'usano pi Mamma Ma la canzone mia, pi bella sei tu Sei tu La vita e per la vita non ti lascio mai pi Sento la mano tua stanca Cerca i miei riccioli d'or Sento e la voce ti manca La ninna nanna d'allor Oggi la testa tua bianca Io voglio stringere al cuor Mamma Solo per te la mia canzone vola Mamma Sarai con me tu non sarai pi sola Quanto ti voglio bene Queste parole d'amore Che ti sospira il mio cuore Forse non s'usano pi Mamma Ma la canzone mia, pi bella sei tu Sei tu la vita e per la vita non ti lascio mai pi Quanto ti voglio bene Queste parole d'amore Che ti sospira il mio cuore Forse non s'usano pi Mamma Ma la canzone mia, pi bella sei tu Sei tu la vita e per la vita non ti lascio mai pi Sei tu la vita e per la vita non ti lascio mai pi [applause] To the most beautiful thing that we have, because no matter what, she will be in our heart.

To your mothers!

God bless!

Mille violini suonati dal vento Tutti colori dell'arcobaleno Vanno a fermare una pioggia d'argento Ma piove, piove Sul nostro amor [applause] Ciao, ciao Bambina Un bacio ancora e poi per sempre Ti perder Come una fiaba l'amore passa C'ra una volta e non c' pi Cos' che trema Ciao, ciao, bambina, ciao Sul tuo visino Ciao, ciao, bambina, ciao pioggia o pianto Ciao, ciao, bambina, ciao Dimmi cos' Ciao, ciao, bambina, ciao Vorrei trovare parole nuove Ma piove, piove Sul nostro amor Come una fiaba l'amore passa C'ra una volta e non c' pi Ciao, ciao, bambina Ciao, ciao, bambina, ciao Non ti voltare Ciao, ciao, bambina, ciao Non posso dirti Ciao, ciao, bambina, ciao Rimani ancor Ciao, ciao, bambina, ciao Vorrei trovare Parole nuove Ma piove, piove Sul nostro amor [applause] Moving into the United States was a journey.

I remember arriving there and not speaking one word in English.

What happened to me is that I start to understand that in order to be successful I had to learn the language, so I say the best way to learn the language is to sit down and to go to work with people who speak the language.

So, I decide to go to work in a coffee shop, but soon I figure out that people that were working there were not speaking English, but they were speaking in Spanish.

So, what happened to me is that instead of learning English, I end up learning Spanish... [laughter] ...and getting familiar to all these beautiful Spanish melodies.

I like to sing one for you that is one of my favorite.

It's called "Sabor a Mi."

Tanto tiempo disfrutamos de este amor Nuestras almas se acercaron, tanto as Que yo guardo tu sabor Pero t llevas tambin Sabor a m Si negaras mi presencia en tu vivir Bastara con abrazarte y conversar Tanta vida yo te di Que por fuerza tienes ya Sabor a m No pretendo ser tu dueo No soy nada, yo no tengo vanidad De mi vida doy lo bueno Soy tan pobre, qu otra cosa puedo dar?

Pasarn ms de mil aos, muchos ms Yo no s si tenga amor la eternidad Pero all, tal como aqu En la boca llevars Sabor a m No pretendo ser tu dueo No soy nada, yo no tengo vanidad De mi vida doy lo bueno Soy tan pobre, qu otra cosa puedo dar?

Pasarn ms de mil aos, muchos ms Yo no s si tenga amor la eternidad Pero all, tal como aqu En la boca llevars Sabor a m Sabor a m [applause] I heard there was a secret chord That David played and it pleased the Lord But you don't really care for music, do you?

Well, it goes like this, the fourth, the fifth The minor fall and the major lift The baffled king composing Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Your faith was strong, but you needed proof You saw her bathing on the roof Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you She tied you to her kitchen chair She broke your throne, she cut your hair And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah [applause] Maybe there's a God above And all I've ever learned from love Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you Well, it's not a cry that you hear at night It's not someone who's seen the light It's cold and it's a broken Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah [applause] Volare AUDIENCE: Oh, oh Cantare AUDIENCE: Oh, oh, oh, oh Are you ready?

Penso che un sogno cos non ritorni mai pi Mi dipingevo le mani e la faccia di blu Poi d'improvviso venivo dal vento rapito E incominciavo a volare nel cielo infinito Volare Come on, everybody, go!

AUDIENCE: Oh, oh Cantare AUDIENCE: Oh, oh, oh, oh Ay Let's fly way up to the sky Away from the maddening crowds We can sing in the glow of the stars that I know of Where lovers enjoy peace of mind Let us leave the confusion and all disillusion behind Just like birds of a feather A rainbow together we'll find Come on, everybody, go!

Volare AUDIENCE: Oh, oh Cantare AUDIENCE: Oh, oh, oh, oh Ay Nel blu dipinto di blu Felice di stare lass Nel blu dipinto di blu Felice di stare lass AUDIENCE: Con te Ma tutti i sogni nell'alba svaniscono perch Quando tramonta, la luna li porta con s Ma io continuo a sognare negli occhi tuoi belli Li li li li li li li li li li Che sono blu come un cielo trapunto di stelle Come on, everybody, go!

Volare Oh, oh Cantare Oh, oh, oh, oh Nel blu degli occhi tuoi blu Felice di stare quaggi Nel blu degli occhi tuoi blu Felice di stare quaggi [applause] Nel blu degli occhi tuoi blu Felice di stare lass Nel blu degli occhi tuoi blu Felice di stare quaggi Con te!

[applause] Bravi!

[applause] Thank you!

[applause] Songs will mark time.

Every time I sing "Volare," I come back home.

But since I moved to the United States, I get familiar with so many wonderful melodies.

This next one is a Broadway song that touches my heart.

It's called "This Is the Moment."

This is the moment This is the day When I send all my doubts and demons On their way Every endeavor I have made ever Is coming into play Is here and now today This is the moment This is the time When the momentum and the moment Are in rhyme Give me this moment This precious chance I'll gather up my past And make some sense at last This is the moment This is the moment When all I've done All of the dreaming, scheming and screaming Become one This is the day See it sparkle and shine When all I've lived for Becomes mine For all these years, I've faced the world alone And now the time has come To prove to them I've made it on my own This is the moment This is the moment My final test Destiny beckoned I never reckoned second best I won't look down I must not fall This is the moment The sweetest moment of them all I won't look down I must not fall This is the moment The sweetest moment of them all This is the moment Damn all the odds This day or never, I'll sit forever with the gods When I look back, I will always recall Moment for moment This was the moment The greatest moment of them all [applause] It was few years ago that I had the joy to meet a gentleman who the family was born in this town, Naples.

His name is Mr. Tony Bennett.

And as soon as I sit down with him, I was asking him which of his favorite songs I should sing.

And he gave me a title, and since then I really fell in love with this composition.

It is called "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?"

Enjoy.

[applause] How do you keep the music playing?

How do you make it last?

How do you keep the song from fading Too fast?

How do you lose yourself to someone And never, and never lose your way?

How do you not run out of new things To say?

And since we know we're always changing How can it be the same?

Be the same, ah ah And tell me how year after year You're sure your heart won't fall apart Each time I hear her name I know the way I feel for you It's now or never The more I love the more that I'm afraid That in your eyes I may not see forever Forever If we can be the best of lovers Yet be the best of friends If we can try with every day to make it better As it grows With any luck, then I suppose The music The music The music Never Never Never Never Ends [applause] Dove andranno a finire le nostre parole Dove andranno a finire i nostri pensieri Il nostro batticuore in quel sorso di cielo che fa da scenario a una notte che muore Dolce, dolce sentirsi ancora cos Sono aria, sono cielo, questa notte mi alzo in volo Sono acqua, sono fuoco L'universo un gioco dentro me Cosa resta di noi dopo l'ultimo volo Chi ti tende le mani che ti portano in cielo Mentre chiedi perdono Cosa scritto nel libro del nostro destino un profondo mistero Sweeter and sweeter I'm part of the universe tonight I am the air I am the sky Tonight I'll fly away Oh, yes, I feel this way I am the water The fire inside of me And all the universe is just a game Un gioco dentro me Oh, yes, I feel this way I am the water The fire inside of me And all the universe is just a game Un gioco dentro me Un gioco dentro me [applause] I am in Naples.

I need to say good night with this song because it's a very special song that was born in this town almost 100 years ago.

And probably you want to sing it with me.

Che bella corsa na jurnata 'e sole N'aria serena doppo na tempesta Pe'll'aria fresca pare gi na festa Che bella cosa na jurnata 'e sole Ma n'atu sole cchi bello, oi ne' 'O sole mio Sta nfronte a te 'O sole, o sole mio Sta nfronte a te Sta nfronte a te Quanno fa notte e 'o sole se ne scenne Me vene quase' na malincunia Sott a fenesta toia restarria Quando fa notte e 'o sole se ne scenne Ma n'atu sole cchiu' bello, oi ne' 'O sole mio Sta nfronte a te 'O sole, o sole mio Sta nfronte a te Sta nfronte a te Grazie, buona notte!

[applause] I love you!

[applause] Ciao!

'O sole, o sole mio Sta nfronte a te Sta nfronte a te [applause] Grazie!

[applause] L'orologio batte l'una Tu sei fuori chiss dove Giro nudo per la casa Dimmi tu se questa vita Tu che esci con le amiche Dici Io che resto qui a pensare Ore Se poi vero per davvero O ti vedi con qualcuno Guardo un po' televisione C' del pollo dentro al frigo Mangio e provo a immaginare Le tue mosse e le parole che sono un po' geloso Scemo Ma ti amo per davvero Davvero Si va be' l'autonomia Ma ricorda che sei mia Banane Lampone Chi c'era con te Chi c'era stasera Io sono il tuo amore Sei solo per me Ho!

Apro un libro di avventure una nuova distrazione Poi vorrei telefonare Mi dovrei un po' sfogare che sono assai nervoso Son le due e tu sei lontana Quasi quasi cado in piedi Vado a casa di Maria Ho sentito l'ascensore Gira chiave nel portone Faccio finta di dormire E tu invece vuoi parlare Sono stata a chiacchierare Ore Ogni tanto sai ci vuole Ci vuole Hanno tutte dei problemi Per fortuna io ho te amore!

Banane Lampone Chi c'era con te Chi c'era stasera Io sono il tuo amore Sei solo per me Ladies and gentlemen, tonight I have the joy to perform with the Orchestra Talenti Napoletani!

Banane Lampone Chi c'era con te Chi c'era stasera Io sono il tuo amore Sei solo per me Banane Lampone Chi c'era con te Chi c'era stasera Io sono il tuo amore Sei solo per me [applause] Because you're mine I only know for as long as I may live I only live for the kiss that you alone may give me And when we kiss That isn't thunder, dear It's only my poor heart you hear And it's applause Because you're Mine