Naples. Angela Luce, a symbol of Neapolitan culture and entertainment, a beloved and recognized artist throughout Italy, has passed away at the age of 87. With her passing, one of the last great performers capable of embracing theater, film, and music, bringing the artistic identity of Naples to every corner of the globe.
Just a few days ago, after the fire that hit the Sannazaro Theater, an emotional message appeared on her Facebook page: "Thinking of the destroyed Sannazaro Theater is truly painful. I am close to Ingrid and Lara and embrace them with deep affection. I hope it will be rebuilt soon and continue to carry on Luisa Conte's dream." These words today take on the value of an ideal artistic testament.
Born in Naples in 1937, she took her first steps in the world of music at just fourteen, participating in the historic Piedigrotta Bideri with the song “Zì Carmilì,” beginning a journey destined to become extraordinary.
From popular cinema to the great masters of auteur cinema
Her big-screen debut came in 1956 with "Ricordati di Napoli," directed by Pino Mercanti. In the following years, she starred in dozens of productions that marked the history of Italian cinema.
He worked with leading directors such as Dino Risi, Luchino Visconti, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Pupi Avati and Mario Martone, crossing different film genres and periods.
Her most notable titles include “The Widower,” “You Are Born a Gentleman,” “The Decameron,” “Malizia,” “The Second Wedding Night” and “Troubling Love,” a film which won her a David di Donatello Award and a nomination for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Over the course of his career he has taken part in over eighty films, sharing the set with giants of Italian cinema such as Marcello Mastroianni, Vittorio Gassman, Alberto Sordi, Nino Manfredi, Ugo Tognazzi, Vittorio De Sica and Totò.
The voice of Neapolitan song
Alongside her film career, Angela Luce has successfully pursued a musical career. She participated in "Un disco per l'estate" in 1973 and 1975, but above all, she left a profound mark on Neapolitan tradition with her performance of "So' Bammenella 'e copp' 'e Quartiere," a song by Raffaele Viviani included in the show "Napoli notte e giorno," directed by Giuseppe Patroni Griffi and presented at the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto.
Thanks to that interpretation, she is the only artist present in the Historical Archive of Neapolitan Song with a double performance of the same song.
In 1975, he took second place at the Sanremo Music Festival with "Ipocrisia," written by Pino Giordano and Eduardo Alfieri. Other awards included the Maschera d'argento for "L'ultima tarantella" and second prize at the 1970 Naples Music Festival with "'O morire."
She also sang “La leggenda del lupino” broadcast worldwide from the Basilica of Santa Chiara and was also the author of musical lyrics, including “Voglia”, which was awarded a prize by UNICEF in 1984.
The meeting with Eduardo and the success in the theaters of the world
However, theater remained the heart of her career. While still very young, she was signed by Eduardo De Filippo, playing some of the most significant roles in the Eduardo repertoire until becoming his partner in the television recording of the comedy "The Contract."
He performed with historic companies of the Neapolitan scene, also working with Peppino De Filippo and Nino Taranto, bringing Italian theatre to major international festivals, from Wiesbaden to Paris, from London to Buenos Aires and even New York.
His presence in Rai radio and television drama is also significant, including dramas and theatrical productions, including “Il cappello del prete,” directed by Sandro Bolchi, and the operetta “Al cavallino bianco,” alongside performers such as Paolo Poli.
Cultural commitment and the connection with Naples
In recent years, he continued to support the city's cultural scene by participating in charity initiatives and free shows, including the "Serenata alla Madonna" event, organized annually by Benedetto Casillo on the occasion of Piedigrotta.
She was also a model for the painter Aligi Sassu, as well as holding university lectures in Naples and Bologna dedicated to Viviani's work.
With his passing, Naples loses not only an artist, but an authentic voice of its cultural memory, capable of spanning generations without ever betraying its roots.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
Angela Luce was a great artist who left an indelible mark on Neapolitan and Italian culture. Her career was replete with success, and her voice will be remembered by all. It's a real shame to lose her.