Mattinata

Mattinata is a famous seaside resort town and comune (municipality) in the province of Foggia, Apulia, southern Italy.

Geography

The only town in Apulia facing south the Adriatic sea, Mattinata is part of the Gargano National Park (Parco Nazionale del Gargano). The main urban area is located up on two hills enclosed by mountains in the northern, western and southern sides. The town faces eastward a plain (Piana di Mattinata) facing the Adriatic sea.

The northern coastal part is known for its chalky white cliffs, its large number of suggestive sea grottos and, above all, for its two Faraglioni located in the Zagare Bay area. The area surrounding Mattinata is also a popular destination for botanical experts, due to the existence of around 60 different species of orchids.

History

The first humans to settle in the area were tribes of Eastern European origin, mainly from Greece and the Balkans (Iapyges), which populated the surrounding areas since the 5th century BC.

The origins of the name Mattinata can be traced back to the Roman village of Matinum, which was located near the current sea port in the 1st century AD. Relatively few traces of the Roman settlement can still be found. The modern town is the result of the direct immigration of citizens from Monte Sant'Angelo over different centuries, which administered the town until 1955, year of its independence as a municipality.

Mattinata (Leoncavallo)

Do not confuse with songs of the same name by Ottorino Respighi and Paolo Tosti.

Mattinata (Italian pronunciation: [mattiˈnaːta]; English: "Morning") was the first song ever written expressly for the Gramophone Company (the present day HMV). Composed by Ruggero Leoncavallo in 1904, this song was dedicated to Enrico Caruso, who was the first to record it in 1904 with the composer at the piano. Ever since, this piece has become a concert favourite.

More than a half-century later this song was recorded by Italian-born tenor Sergio Franchi on his American-debut album, Romantic Italian Songs (RCA Victor Red Seal, 1962). In only three months, Franchi's album of mostly Neapolitan favorites songs placed number seventeen on the Billboard Top 200. Thirty-six years later (eight years after Franchi's death) the same album placed number one hundred sixty-seven on the Billboard 200.

Text

Italian

L'aurora di bianco vestita
Già l'uscio dischiude al gran sol;
Di già con le rosee sue dita
Carezza de' fiori lo stuol!
Commosso da un fremito arcano
Intorno il creato già par;
E tu non ti desti, ed invano
Mi sto qui dolente a cantar.

Metti anche tu la veste bianca
E schiudi l'uscio al tuo cantor!
Ove non sei la luce manca;
Ove tu sei nasce l'amor.

Ove non sei la luce manca;
Ove tu sei nasce l'amor.