Gianni Longo, a newcomer to the realm of popular music, surprised audiences with his debut composition, a homage to Venice. Despite lacking formal musical training, Longo, the founder, and director of Radio Ascolta, a web radio dedicated to Italian music from the 1950s to the 1970s, crafted a melody evoking the enchanting ambiance of Venice in the summer of 2021. After composing and depositing the song in a few days, he then collaborated with Andrea Bazzoni, Director of the “Breganze Plettrum Orchestra” and Filippo Bresolin, arranger of the song.
Enriching the piece with the “Breganze Choir”, the original Venetian-language song narrates a love story set in Venice, quickly becoming a local favorite. Longo’s intuitive decision to create a Spanish version during rehearsals resulted in a unique adaptation, relocating a key scene to Piazza San Marco. Despite challenges in learning Spanish, Longo’s artistic leap received acclaim, with critics hailing it as a “masterpiece” and a “love letter to Venice.” Encouraged by the success, Longo plans to release more music in the future, as revealed in our exclusive interview with the artist.
Before delving into our interview with the artist, immerse yourself in his sun-drenched sonic universe, adorned with authentic acoustic melodies and poetry, paying a beautiful tribute to love.
Tell us about yourself and how you ventured into music!
I stumbled upon the creation of this song by chance. The initial melody and lyrics spontaneously popped into my mind, captivating me instantly. I crafted the remainder of the song around that inspiration.
I can’t pinpoint why I would decide to compose a song and perform it with a highly esteemed local orchestra. However, I strongly believe in cherishing traditional folk music, considering it an integral part of cultural heritage and a wellspring of inspiration for crafting new melodies.
What motivates your music writing?
As I mentioned earlier, it’s a bit of a mystery to me. With no formal musical training and no instrumental prowess, the creative process unfolded in an almost inexplicable manner.
Can you elaborate on your creative process?
I sang and recorded the song unaccompanied, relying solely on my voice. Fortunately, I had the privilege of collaborating with seasoned professionals who recognized the song’s value, deeming it worthy of orchestral accompaniment. The collaboration unfolded swiftly, as if fate dictated that I should sing it with the orchestra. It’s still somewhat surreal to me.
Tell us about your latest release.
Presented here in Spanish, this song narrates a simple love story set in Venice. The narrative traces the journey of two lovers, from “love in a gondola” to spontaneous chases through St. Mark’s Square, resurrecting the authentic, “popular” Venice that has regrettably diminished due to mass tourism and other factors.
What are your future plans?
I’m currently working on a new song inspired by the popular tradition, still rooted in the Venetian landscape but distinct in terms of musical motifs and lyrics. The next piece delves into the memory of a youthful love story. I anticipate its release either by the year’s end or early next year, with ongoing work on the video editing—I also handled the video editing for this current song.
