Romantic Italian Songs

Romantic Italian Songs
Studio album by
Sergio Franchi
ReleasedSeptember 1962 (1962-09)
RecordedUnited Kingdom
Genres
Length34 minutes 41 seconds
LabelsRCA Victor Red Seal
M/2640
Sergio Franchi chronology
Romantic Italian Songs
(1962)		 Our Man From Italy
(1963)

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. 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. Romantic Italian Songs was cut in the United Kingdom under conductor Wally Stott. 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. The album was made up entirely of Italian melodies, and Franchi is credited as the writer of "La vilanella" as well.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar
BillboardPositive (Spotlight)

Romantic Italian Songs was given a positive critical response following its release, and Franchi was noted for his vocals. 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." It was given a three-star rating by AllMusic as well.

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. 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.

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. 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. Romantic Italian Songs was also a success in the Classical music markets. He would continue recording albums for RCA, with several reaching the charts, although none would spawn a charting single.

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.

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Core 'ngrato"
3:11
2."Funiculì, Funiculà"
2:39
3."'O sole mio"
3:45
4."Mattinata"Ruggero Leoncavallo2:24
5."Mamma mia, che vo' sapé"Emanuele Nutile, Salvatore Russo3:29
6."La vilanella" (Adapted by Luboff)Sergio Franchi2:33
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
7."Marechiare"
3:01
8."'A vucchella"
2:34
9."Comme facette mammeta?"
  • Giuseppe Capaldo
  • Salvatore Gambardella
2:07
10."Fenesta che lucive"Traditional, Guillaume Louis Cottrau3:36
11."Torna a Surriento"
2:57
12."O surdato 'nnammurato"
2:25
Total length:34:41

Chart performance

Chart performance for Romantic Italian Songs
Chart (1962–1963) Peak
position
US Billboard Top LPs 17
US Best-Selling Classical Albums 4
US Cashbox Top 100 Albums (Monaural) 37
Chart (1998) Peak
position
US The Billboard 200 167

Release history

Release history and formats for Romantic Italian Songs
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States and Canada September 1962 Vinyl (LP) RCA Victor Red Seal
United States 1998 Compact Disc RCA Victor Records

Personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of Romantic Italian Songs.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Romantic Italian Songs: Sergio Franchi: Studio album". AllMusic. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Album Reviews, Album Reviews: Pop Picks" (PDF). Cash Box. October 17, 1964. p. 34. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  3. ↑ Sergio Franchi. "Broadway – I Love You!" RCA Victor, 1963, LP, Liner Notes.
  4. ↑ H.K. (October 22, 1962)."Franchi in debut with song concert." The New York Times, Carnegie Hall debut
  5. 1 2 3 4 Francis, Connie (September 1962). "Romantic Italian Songs". RCA Victor Red Seal. M/2640 (LP).
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Billboard Album Reviews (Billboard International Pop Spotlights)" (PDF). Billboard. October 6, 1962. p. 39. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Record Ramblings", (October 24, 1962). Cashbox, New York
  8. ↑ Dewar, Cameron (October 20, 1962). "Boston." Billboard, New York. (Intro party at Boston Sheraton)
  9. ↑ "Victor gives all in build-up of Sergio Franchi." (October 6, 1962). Billboard, New York.
  10. 1 2 Whitburn, Joel (1973). Top LPs, 1945–1972. Record Research. p. 56. LCCN 74075179. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  11. 1 2 Hoffmann, Frank W. (1975). The Cash Box Album Charts, 1955–1974. Scarecrow Press. p. 131. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  12. 1 2 "Classical Music/Best Selling Classical Albums." (February 23, 1963). Billboard New York
  13. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Top Pop Singles 1955-2012. Record Research. pp. 317–318. ISBN 978-0898202052.
  14. 1 2 3 Billboard magazine September 5, 1998: Billboard 200. Page 125. Retrieved March 28, 2026 via worldradiohistory.com