Alberto Rabagliati

Alberto Rabagliati (born June 26, 1906 in Milan , † March 7, 1974 in Rome ) was an Italian singer and actor . He was the first Italian pop star to become known across Europe.

Beginnings

Rabagliati was born in Milan in 1906 to the parents of Piedmont ; Father Leandro Valentino Rabagliati and mother Delfina Besso both came from Casorzo , a town in the hills of the Asti province . In 1927 Alberto Rabagliati emigrated to Hollywood from Milan after winning a competition looking for a look-alike Rodolfo Valentino . "For someone like me, who had only ever seen Lake Como and Monza Cathedral, the presence on a luxury steamship with three full suitcases, a pile of dollars and duchesses and countesses courting him was a great thing."

During the Second World War he entertained the soldiers in the Trani barracks. Rabagliati stayed in the United States for four years and became familiar with the American music of the time: jazz, swing and scat. After returning to Europe, he continued his career as a singer. After a short experience in the orchestra of Pippo Barzizza , he worked with the orchestra of the Lecuona Cuban Boys . He appeared with a blackened face and made the song Maria la O a success.

Appearances on the radio

During one evening with the Lecuona Cuban Boys, Rabagliati met Giovanni D'Anzi, who suggested that he sing on an EIAR show . In a very short time Alberto Rabagliati became the most popular voice on Italian radio. In 1941 he got his own broadcast. Every Monday evening, EIAR broadcast the program Canta Rabagliati , in which Rabagliati sang his most famous songs, such as Ma l'amore no , Mattinata fiorentina , Ba-ba-baciami piccina , Silenzioso slow and Bambina innamorata .

Rabagliati became so famous that it was even quoted and mentioned in songs by other singers, such as La famiglia canterina , Quando canta Rabagliati and Quando la Radio . The female fans fainted and pelted him with roses. Although cultural influences from the USA were met with suspicion during the time of Italian fascism, he was able to maintain his American style. The fascist government, which encouraged women to have more children, even used his song Sposi for an advertising campaign.

Rabagliati's enormous popularity contributed to the fact that he worked again as an actor. From 1940 to 1965 he took part in around 20 films, including The Barefoot Countess , Montecarlo , The Widower and Aber, but… gentlemen . He was active in the theater with the musical comedians Garinei and Giovannini until the mid-1950s . His last public appearance was in 1974 on the television program Milleluci as a guest with Mina and Raffaella Carrà . A short time later he died of a blood clot in his brain.

Filmography (selection)

• 1928: Street Angel (Street Angel)
• 1930: Sei tu l'amore
• 1941: Una famiglia impossibile
• 1942: La scuola dei timidi
• 1943: Arcobaleno
• 1943: In cerca di felicità
• 1943: Lascia cantare il cuore
• 1943: La vita è bella
• 1946: Partenza ore 7
• 1946: Natale al campo 119
• 1952: Mandrin, the king of the rebels (Le avventure di Mandrin)
• 1954: The Barefoot Countess (The Barefoot Contessa)
• 1954: Crossed blades (Il maestro di Don Giovanni)
• 1954: My lousy boys (Scuola elementare)
• 1955: Quando tramonta il sole
• 1957: The Monte Carlo Story (Monte Carlo)
• 1957: Susanna, sweet as cream (Susanna tutta panna)
• 1959: The Widower (Il vedovo)
• 1962: Jessica
• 1962: My friend Benito (Il mio amico Benito)
• 1964: Panic Button ... Operazione fisco!
• 1966: But, but, gentlemen ... (Signore & signori)
• 1966: Santa Claus in Need (Il Natale che quasi non fu)

Web links

• Alberto Rabagliati in the Internet Movie Database (English)
• Website dedicated to Rabagliati
• Small gallery of Italian swing