Don’t you just love Neopolitan? No, I’m not talking about ice cream that is a third chocolate, a third vanilla and a third strawberry (although, common, who doesn’t love a three-for-the-price-of-one ice cream flavor?). I’m talking about Napoli, Italy. The music, the seaside, the PIZZA?!
Perhaps one of the most beautiful things to come out of Napoli is a famous song by the name of “O Sole Mio”.
A close second for the most beautiful thing to come from Napoli would be the voice of Italian singer Patrizio Buanne.
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You may be pleased to know, however, that Buanne’s voice can indeed be matched. And no, it’s not by a seasoned singer who has spent her entire adult life perfecting operatic singing, but someone just a little bit younger…. Amira Willighagen is a vocal powerhouse way ahead of her own age. Born in only 2004, she has been making tsunami sized waves in the world of performance. When the two stellar singers teamed up to sing in the South African show “Classics is Groot”, the audience was left weeping….literally. Patrizio introduces the song-
“I would like to sing with you a beautiful Neopolitan song, where I come from… Maestro!”
The audience’s jaws drop for Buanne, but they hit the floor for Amira.
After only a few seconds of Amira’s powerful operatic voice the audience cannot contain their applause. Before she’s even completed the first line of her part the claps and cheers begin. She sounds as if an ancient angel has decided to channel their voice through this girl.
They can’t believe their eyes or ears!
Their eyes tell them that they’re looking at a twelve year old girl, but their ears tell them that they’re listening to a goddess of the opera. Some are driven to covering their eyes, others are compelled to mime conducting the music. That’s pretty much like drumming along at a Metallica concert!
And when Patrizio joins in, his age and experience is clear.
He has such an immense gravitas, that opposite his fair and young counterpart, he offers a sense of classic nobility. He presents an air of true Italian class.
Yet, even Patrizio is not immune to Amira’s spell.
Miming that he has the shivers, it’s clear that even this mainstay of the opera stage is astounded by the talent this young prodigy possesses.
As the song continues, the onlookers remain speechless.
This guy keeps his hand over his mouth as if he has never seen or heard anything like this. To be fair, he probably hasn’t.
He looks as if he’s just seen an angel.
And actually…he has!
Amira is not only a true Angel because of her heavenly voice, but also because of her deeds. Many of Amira’s shows are to raise money for a charity she runs by the name of “Gelukskinders”, meaning “Lucky Kids” in dutch and Afrikaans. The money she raises goes to providing poor children in rural parts of South Africa with playgrounds.
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Maybe the charming is not only one-way.
It’s clear throughout the performance that it’s not only Patrizio who is enchanted by Amira. As he gets onto one knee and serenades her, she is quite obviously honored to be on the stage with him.
As they bring the show to a rapturous end, they both soar high.
Displaying the full extent of both of their powerful voices, the two singers bring the house down in symphonic harmony. Now I know why the audience are so spellbound by these two marvelous singers.
Watch the full video below to enjoy the harmony of these two incredible talents!
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