For the many fans and nostalgics of Renato Carosone, and the young people who will get to know him, Rai1 offers Thursday 18 March a great opportunity. One hundred years after his birth (Naples on January 3, 1920), and twenty years after his death (Rome 2001), "Carosello Carosone", a TV film by Lucio Pellegrini (a Greenland production with Rai Fiction) with music by the maestro Stefano Bollani. To interpret the great Neapolitan musician, author of unforgettable songs such as "Tu vuo 'fa' l'americano", is Eduardo Scarpetta, great-great-grandson of the great playwright, here in his first leading role, where we will see him sing beautifully and play , already appreciated on TV with "The brilliant friend" (ready to return in the third season ed) and at the cinema in "Capri-Revolution" (by Mario Martone). At his side Vincenzo Nemolato who plays Gegè Di Giacomo, the drummer-playmaker of Carosone.
Eduardo, why a film about Carosone? «He is a legend, a myth. It is the story of his life. But the film is a very musical tribute to an eternal, brilliant artist. "How is he remembered?" From the 17 years of Carosone when he graduated in piano in Naples at the San Pietro a Majella conservatory, up to 39, with his retirement from the stage . He realized that he had reached the maximum. I also make a philosophical discourse: when he sensed that rock 'n roll would arrive, in my opinion he thought of taking a step back. Today, however, he is immortal, many, unique case, sing his songs by heart and do not know the name. Talent aside, the period in Africa had a great influence, where he met Lita Levidi (Ludovica Martino) who becomes his wife, and recognized his son. "Sibilia and Matteo Rovere confirm that what is told in the film, namely that Pino is the natural son of Lita and not of Carosone who married and raised the child: "You can call it a scoop."
In addition, Carosello Carosone is also the title of the first album by Renato Carosone and his Quartet, released on 14 December 1954. A success that culminates in 1958 with the performance of Carosone and his Sextet at Carnegie Hall in New York. Taken from the book "Caronissimo" by Federico Vacalebre (published by Arcana Editore). The film-tv follows Carosone's passion for music, a passion that he will never betray and towards which he will have deep respect throughout his career. We will not see, however, only the artist Carosone, but also the man from a personal point of view
Stefano Bollani reveals that when he was 11 he wrote a ttera to Carosone and that the great artist replied telling him to study the blues first of all. "Often - explains the maestro - the dark side of musicians is presented as a warning. Carosone understands his talent and his mission, and lives a life in which he meets what he needs when he needs it. As if to say that - you can fare-, the world supports you in the quest to find your own path ". Regarding the decision to abandon his career on the eve of his 40th birthday, Bollani made up his own idea: "Let's imagine that this man was living a difficult life for the time. evening in a nightclub.
I think he needed to unplug. ". In the TV movie we see the Sextet singing with clips in the nose. Pellegrini: "We tried to re-enact Carosone's show, moments in which they gave their best. Actually, they used clothespins, but only to make comedy, not to create a sound".
Finally Scarpetta, in 2025 we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the death of your illustrious great-great-grandfather, playwright whose name and surname you bear, when did you start acting? "At 9 with my father Mario in the comedy Feliciello Feliciello, then he died when I was 11, I left, I went to school, and I didn't have an entourage to support me except my mother, I started all over again after graduation I was admitted and I finished the Experimental Cinematography Center. The name is not a fault, but you have to prove that you are up to it. "
The first important part was the Brilliant Friend, with the auditions, Then Mario Martone arrived. "But did you know the de Filippo?" Eduardo obviously did not die many years before my birth, Luca I met him three times ". Scarpetta the great-great-grandfather gave shape to the new modern dialectal theater. He had many children, only 3 recognized, including Eduardo, Titina and Peppino De Filippo, children of Luisa, grandson of Rosa De Filippo, official wife of the playwright.
Eduardo Scarpetta jr he speculates that "perhaps there will also be others of children and grandchildren around, one is the great poet Ernesto Murolo natural son". With Martone The young Eduardo also shot Tu Ridi "a film about my family should be released, Eduardo Scarpetta senior Tony Servillo does it, I'm Vincenzo.
And then the shooting of another film La donna per me by Marco Martani began, with Alessandra Mastronardi, Andrea Arcangeli and Stefano Fresi ". (ANSA).