De Gregori in Caserta moves 5,000 spectators and invites them to waltz
The concert in front of the Reggia as part of the 50th anniversary of Rimmel was a great success. Enzo Avitabile's speech highly appreciated
2' min read
2' min read
At the end, he invited the entire audience to waltz to the notes of 'Buonanotte Fiorellino', first in the classical version and then in a rock version. Francesco De Gregori's concert on 15 September, in the park in front of the Reggia di Caserta, as part of the 'Un'estate da Belvedere' programme, ended with a spectacle within a spectacle: a great success. Not only for having almost filled the park of the Reggia Vanvitelliana with over 5,000 spectators, but also for having once again conquered the audience with many songs and a few, but right words.
More than a concert, the event had the tone of a party: the 50th anniversary since the release of 'Rimmel' was celebrated, a party, among many friends who each associated their own memories with the words and music. There was no shortage of young people, albeit in the minority, proving that De Gregori knows how to win them over too.
Behind the splendid Reggia, in front of it a large black stage, on which the band made up of Guido Guglielminetti (bass and contrabass), Carlo Gaudiello (piano), Primiano Di Biase (hammond, keyboards and accordion), Paolo Giovenchi (guitars), Alessandro Valle (guitar, pedal steel and mandolin) and Simone Talone (drums and percussion) takes its place. They are joined by backing singers Francesca La Colla and Cristina Greco.
He, Francesco, green shirt, hat with visor, dark glasses for the entire show is always there, he never leaves the stage, he walks, with a placid step, he crosses the stage in one piece and sings. He attacks with 'Via della povertà', 'Cercando un altro Egitto': the audience listens interested, appreciates but waits. Then 'Atlantis' and the audience begins to hum. "Caldo e scuro", "Caterina", "Mannaggia alla musica": there is no shortage of applause. But when he starts with Rimmel, the atmosphere heats up.
'Piano Bar', 'Four Dogs', 'Pieces of Glass': enthusiasm grows. He thanks them and moves on. Then, as announced in the previous days, Enzo Avitabile arrives, giving musicians and spectators a precious cameo: he duets with De Gregori in some of the latter's hits, "Pablo", "Generale", rearranging them with his wind instruments and also making changes to the lyrics with his own stanzas inspired by the search for peace and brotherhood against the wars taking place in the world. Words and feelings that moved the audience at the Reggia.
