Romantic Italian Songs
| Romantic Italian Songs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 1962 | |||
| Recorded | United Kingdom | |||
| Genres | ||||
| Length | 34 minutes 41 seconds | |||
| Labels | RCA Victor Red Seal M/2640 | |||
| Sergio Franchi chronology | ||||
| ||||
Romantic Italian Songs is the debut studio album by Italian singer Sergio Franchi, released in September 1962 by RCA Victor Red Seal mainly for the American market. The project was received well both critically and commercially.
Background, recording and content
Franchi arrived in New York on September 25, 1962.[3] Singing the full length of the concert without a microphone, a New York reviewer commented on Franchi's "big, healthy voice", his penchant for ad-libbing, and his ability to establish instant rapport with his audience.[4] Romantic Italian Songs was cut in the United Kingdom under conductor Wally Stott.[5] With RCA Victor ready for a promotion campaign, and Franchi already getting critical apraisal, the album was soon released. It contained a total of 12 tracks, with them being split evenly into six on side one, and six on side two.[1] The album was made up entirely of Italian melodies, and Franchi is credited as the writer of "La vilanella" as well.[6][5]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Billboard | Positive (Spotlight)[6] |
Romantic Italian Songs was given a positive critical response following its release, and Franchi was noted for his vocals.[6] Billboard magazine stated that the "Romantic Italian tenor Sergio Franchi bursts upon the American musical scene with stirring, big-voiced readings of familiar Italian melodies, both folk and operatic." The magazine noted that "He has a voice that sells songs with warmth and excitement that will make him a big favorite... Lovely orchestral backings add much to the album."[6] It was given a three-star rating by AllMusic as well.[1]
Release and chart performance
Romantic Italian Songs was released by RCA on their Red Seal label in September 1962 as Franchi's debut album. The album was offered as a vinyl LP. A single of two English songs was released alongside the album.[7] The label had begun a heavy promotional campaign to launch his American career, concurrent with the release of his album, and it was a major success.[8][9]
It debuted on Billboard magazine's Top LP's chart in the issue dated November 24, 1962, peaking at No. 17 during an eighteen-week run on the chart.[10] The album debuted on Cashbox magazine's Top 100 Albums chart in the issue dated November 24, 1962, being ranked lower at No. 37 during a six-week run on the Monaural chart.[11] Romantic Italian Songs was also a success in the Classical music markets.[12] He would continue recording albums for RCA, with several reaching the charts, although none would spawn a charting single.[13]
In 1998, the album was released on compact disc format for the first time, and returned sales momentum made the album reach No. 167 nationwide for one week in the fall of 1998.[14]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Core 'ngrato" |
| 3:11 |
| 2. | "Funiculì, Funiculà" | 2:39 | |
| 3. | "'O sole mio" | 3:45 | |
| 4. | "Mattinata" | Ruggero Leoncavallo | 2:24 |
| 5. | "Mamma mia, che vo' sapé" | Emanuele Nutile, Salvatore Russo | 3:29 |
| 6. | "La vilanella" (Adapted by Luboff) | Sergio Franchi | 2:33 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7. | "Marechiare" | 3:01 | |
| 8. | "'A vucchella" | 2:34 | |
| 9. | "Comme facette mammeta?" |
| 2:07 |
| 10. | "Fenesta che lucive" | Traditional, Guillaume Louis Cottrau | 3:36 |
| 11. | "Torna a Surriento" | 2:57 | |
| 12. | "O surdato 'nnammurato" | 2:25 | |
| Total length: | 34:41 | ||
Chart performance
| Chart (1962–1963) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Top LPs[10] | 17 |
| US Best-Selling Classical Albums[12] | 4 |
| US Cashbox Top 100 Albums (Monaural)[11] | 37 |
| Chart (1998) | Peak position |
| US The Billboard 200[14] | 167 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States and Canada | September 1962 | Vinyl (LP) | RCA Victor Red Seal | [5] |
| United States | 1998 | Compact Disc | RCA Victor Records | [14] |
Personnel
All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Romantic Italian Songs.[5]
- Sergio Franchi – lead vocals
- Wally Stott – arranger, conductor
- Sean Walker – liner notes
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Romantic Italian Songs: Sergio Franchi: Studio album". AllMusic. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
- ↑ "Album Reviews, Album Reviews: Pop Picks" (PDF). Cash Box. October 17, 1964. p. 34. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
- ↑ Sergio Franchi. "Broadway – I Love You!" RCA Victor, 1963, LP, Liner Notes.
- ↑ H.K. (October 22, 1962)."Franchi in debut with song concert." The New York Times, Carnegie Hall debut
- 1 2 3 4 Francis, Connie (September 1962). "Romantic Italian Songs". RCA Victor Red Seal. M/2640 (LP).
- 1 2 3 4 "Billboard Album Reviews (Billboard International Pop Spotlights)" (PDF). Billboard. October 6, 1962. p. 39. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
- ↑ "Record Ramblings", (October 24, 1962). Cashbox, New York
- ↑ Dewar, Cameron (October 20, 1962). "Boston." Billboard, New York. (Intro party at Boston Sheraton)
- ↑ "Victor gives all in build-up of Sergio Franchi." (October 6, 1962). Billboard, New York.
- 1 2 Whitburn, Joel (1973). Top LPs, 1945–1972. Record Research. p. 56. LCCN 74075179. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- 1 2 Hoffmann, Frank W. (1975). The Cash Box Album Charts, 1955–1974. Scarecrow Press. p. 131. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- 1 2 "Classical Music/Best Selling Classical Albums." (February 23, 1963). Billboard New York
- ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Top Pop Singles 1955-2012. Record Research. pp. 317–318. ISBN 978-0898202052.
- 1 2 3 Billboard magazine September 5, 1998: Billboard 200. Page 125. Retrieved March 28, 2026 via worldradiohistory.com