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"Cantarelli's Introspective and Universal Recital.
Standing Ovation to the Unpublished 'Even God Will Cry'
Performed for the First Time in Pontedellolio"

Beyond the genres. A concert "non-concert." A show that is listening, meditation and prayer all together. Beppe Cantarelli has presented his recital "Even God Will Cry" (with the omonimous unpublished composition) at the Saint Giacomo Church in Pontedellolio, with a successful response by the people present. Thirteen compositions arranged for tenor voice and acoustic guitar have followed one another without pause; selections with a beautiful continuity in style and content, even though they alternate in between the English and Italian languages (sometimes even within the same composition like in "There's A Time"), and featuring different vocal styles, flavors, and ultimately, formats. Mr. Cantarelli, explorer of the language in all its dimensions, from the meaningful (utilizing the impact of the sound) to the pure content (enphasizing its power), is able to switch from the declaiming to the "bel canto" interpretation, from the "rock-and-soul" style to the "operatic-high- notes," with immense unaffectedness. Especially the high notes are the most recurring finale of his compositions: should we expect this ascending melody to be the metaphore of a deeper and more intense ascension, with heaven as its direction? It seems like his lyrics as well are conspiring to make you think about this; lyrics full of hope and mystical expectation. His acoustic guitar is his faithful companion, always discrete, often arpeggiando, sometimes aggressive (like in the beautiful We'll Always Be Free), and quite often used also as a percussion. In conclusion, a man alone with his guitar but who is capable to fill up his performance with an intense interpretation. A music that is not carefree, and that does not slide off your skin, but that penetrates you and makes you reflect. A surprise finale with an exceptional guest. An unpublished Our Father (Pater Noster), in ancient Latin (third language utilized by Cantarelli), has been performed in a duet version with Paola Leveroni, a mezzo-soprano who just returned from a triumphal Traviata directed by Franco Zeffirelli in Moscow. The prayer to the Father is the recurrent conclusion of Cantarelli's recitals. This time he chose to sing it with a Ms. Leveroni who, even though has entered the concert at its very end, did manage to perfectly fit in with her enormous sensibility and within the thoughtful atmosphere of the event. As an encore, his famous Magnificat, a very important composition that is a mile-stone in the composer's career. As a matter of fact his Magnificat was premiered by his Millennium Choir in the Vatican in a worldwide broadcast on Chriastmas Day 1999 while Pope John Paul II was opening the Holy Doors during the Celebrations of The Great Jubilee. His next recital will be on January 1st, 2004 at the glorious Sanctuary of Caravaggio.
From the "Libertà" (Piacenza, Italy)
Art & Culture Section
by Giorgia Gazzola, Musicologist, Music Critic, Teacher & Soprano
December 30, 2003
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