Nuova Compagnia di Canto Popolare

The Nuova Compagnia di Canto Popolare was formed in 1970 with the aim of promoting the traditions of the people of Campania (the Southern Italian region of which Naples is the capital).The extraordinary success encountered at the Spoleto Festival in 1972 and 1974 marks their launch onto the international stage. Since then the NCCP frequently participated in all the most important festivals both within and outside Europe. These include Edinburgh, Helsinki, Berlin (Festwochen), Théatre des Nations (Caracas 1977, Hamburg 1979), Buenos Aires(Coliseum), Festival of the Fiandres, Zurich, Salzburg(Mozarteum), Paris (Théatre de la Ville), Athens, Israel, Spoleto USA, Sydney (Opera House), Hong Kong,Singapore,Schwetzinger Festspiele(1990),Koln(Opera),Tokyo(Sogetsu Hall),Koln (Opera), Sao Paulo(Sesc Pompeia 2001),Beograd(Kolarca 2002),London(Riverside Studios) Munich (Hercules Saal) and others. The group has alternated its musical activities with theatre productions, promoting and participating in several shows, including: La Cantata dei Pastori, La Canzone di Zeza, La Gatta Cenerentola, La Perla Reale, Sona Sona and others. For this reason Eduardo De Filippo invited them to perform in his theatre, the San Ferdinando in Naples. Let’s trace the steps of the group in more recent years: It’s the beginning of the 90s, and the spirit and the concept are the same. A new album with original songs recorded for CGD successfully marks the return of the group after a long absence. The title is “Medina”, name of an old Neapolitan city gate as well as the Arabic holy city and of various Spanish towns, thereby encompassing in a single word intertwining different musical cultures beyond country and cultural boundaries. In 1992 the NCCP takes Medina on tour not only in Italy but also to Cordoba, Caracas and Tokyo, a world tour which is also the opportunity for new ideas and inspirations. But 1992 is also the year of their surprise participation in the Sanremo Festival of a song taken from Medina, “Pe’ dispietto”, which obtains the prestigious critics’ prize. The NCCP story continues in the 90s with shows both in Italy and abroad - in 1993 in Greece at the Mediterranean International Festival and in 1994 in Ireland at the Dublin International Festival.At the beginning of 1995 they complete a new album, “Tzigari”, which effortlessly captures the classic NCCP style, never inward looking but always open to new voices and inspirations. In September 1996 they produce a new album, “InCanto Acustico”, which includes the most significant songs composed by the group to date, recorded during the theatre tour undertaken in the same year. In 1997 they sign a new recording contract with EMI. The initial result of this is an album entitled “Pesce d’o’ mare”, where the NCCP once more combine traditional Mediterranean melodies with original songs containing musical influences from diverse cultural backgrounds.Also noteworthy at this time is their collaboration with Angelo Branduardi and Zulù from the group 99 Posse. With these artists the NCCP appeared at the 1st of May celebrations in Piazza San Giovanni in Rome and also in the most important theatres of Italy. The month of January 1999 opened with a tour for the most important classical music organizations in Italy - GOG in Genoa, Teatro Civico in La Spezia, Accademia Chigiana in Siena, Teatro Rossini in Pesaro, Camerata Musicale Barese, Teatro Bellini in Catania and others. The tour was widely acclaimed by public and critics alike. In 2000 they toured Brazil, where they played at the festival Todos os cantos do mundo at the theatre Sesc Pompeia in S. Paolo. In 2001 they produced their most recent album entitled “La voce del grano”, printed by Forrest Hill and distributed by Harmony Music. In January 2002 the album appeared among the best 20 CDs in the hit parade compiled by the journalists of “World Music Charts Europe”. Also in 2002 the NCCP was invited to perform by the Italian Institutes of Culture in Sofia, Rabat, Casablanca, Athens, Thessalonica and Belgrade. In September of the same year they were invited by RAI Uno (Italian national television) to participate, together with Dionne Warwick and Andrea Bocelli, in celebrations, held in Sorrento, for the centenary of the song Torna a Surriento.