Bella Italia

Bella Italia is a medley of three Neapolitan songs that were made famous and popular by the tenor Mario Lanza. The work opens with the graceful waltz Santa Lucia, which is followed by a Latin-style version of O Sole Mio, a melody that became even more well known when used by Elvis Presley as the basis of the song It’s Now or Never. The cheerful Funiculì, Funiculà ends the medley in 6/8 time. This arrangement for concert band by Roland Kernen will appeal to a broad audience and will leave both the band and the audience in a high-spirited mood.