28 Italian Songs and Arias on YouTube

Beauty in Song

The 28 Italian Songs and Arias are a treasure trove of music to help you learn how to sing. For many, this collection serves as their first exposure to formal vocal training. But, where did these songs come from, and why are they so vital to singers?

The Evolution of an Anthology

The original collection, known as Arie Antiche (ancient arias), and published by G. Schirmer as the 24 Italian Songs and Arias of the 17th and 18th Centuries, were compiled by Alessandro Parisotti (1853-1913) in the late 1800s. At that time, traditions differed in the handling of archival music. Parisotti heavily edited these original sources to suit the romantic-era tastes of his time. Paradoxically, these heavily edited versions quickly became classics in their own right and have represented accepted practice for generations when performing these songs. In fact, the collection has been a mainstay for decades among voice teachers worldwide, who use it to cultivate classical vocal technique in their students, typically during high school and college.

The Birth of a Scholarly Collection

The journey towards a cleaner, more scholarly edition began with the 26 Italian Songs and Arias, edited by John Glenn Paton in 1991. This groundbreaking compilation laid the foundation for a truly scholarly approach to this treasured genre, correcting much of the now considered arbitrary and intrusive editing of Parisotti. But was it actually better?

The 28 Italian Songs and Arias

In response to the success of Paton’s work, G. Schirmer introduced the 28 Italian Songs and Arias, adding a total of four additional songs from the original 24. This edition restored much of Parisotti’s editing while elaborating on the historical and scholarly information so welcomed in the Paton edition. This is the edition most preferred by singing teachers today.

YouTube – a Resource for Now

YouTube has become a contemporary hub for musical enthusiasts, and the Italian songs and arias are no exception. True, the most recent editions of these songs standardly include a CD or online link for the “senza voce” or accompaniment-only recordings for students to use while studying these works.

But, YouTube provides its own rewards. On singerstickynotes.com, each song has its own dedicated blog post with an accompaniment-only rendition for study drawn from YouTube, as well as the best performance renditions available. We also explore exciting variants of the original pieces, ranging from instrumental interpretations to their impact on popular culture. You’ll find the complete lyrics and English translations, often accompanied by diction guidance.

Fun Facts!

  1. “Caro mio ben”: The Reigning Champion

    Among the 28 Italian Songs and Arias, “Caro mio ben” stands out as the reigning champion, consistently topping search queries on Google at 2—3 times the rate of any other song (2000+ hits per month!). Do you want to get noticed on the internet as a classical singer? Sing, “Caro mio ben.” Even pop singer Hilary Duff sings this song in her movie (maybe she’s been reading the stats!).

  2. Old Italian Songs in the Limelight

    It might surprise you how many great opera singers have featured these songs in their recitals. The legendary voices of Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, and Renée Fleming have graced these compositions, breathing life into them. Check out Enrico Caruso’s heart-wrenching “Nina” or Teresa Berganza’s meltingly lovely “O del mio dolce ardor.” Watch Luciano Pavarotti goofing off to the camera in “Nel cor più non mi sento” or clutching his handkerchief at the final touching notes of “Caro mio ben.”

  3. Student Stars on YouTube

    Many excellent students have graciously posted their performances of these songs on YouTube and my students find them indispensable when studying singing. They are so relatable—and so good! In fact, singing along with a recording of someone, perhaps only slightly more advanced than yourself, has been just the encouragement many have needed to overcome hurdles while learning Italian songs. These student honorable mentions are liberally included on the song posts for singerstickynotes.com.

The 28 Italian Songs and Arias: Song List

A Treasured Collection for the Ages

The 28 Italian Songs and Arias, in their many permutations, continue to instruct and inspire into our modern age. With the help of YouTube and dedicated blog posts, you can immerse yourself in the world of these melodies, learning not only to sing but also to appreciate the depth and beauty of this musical genre. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced vocalist, these songs and arias offer much to improve your artistic expression. So, let the music begin!