L'ombrello e la macchina da cucire (lit. 'The umbrella and the sewing machine') is the eighteenth studio album by Italian singer-songwriter Franco Battiato, released in 1995.
| L'ombrello e la macchina da cucire | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1995 | |||
| Length | 41:42 | |||
| Label | EMI Italiana | |||
| Franco Battiato chronology | ||||
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Background
editFollowing their collaboration in the 1994 opera Il cavaliere dell’intelletto ('The Knight of Intellect'), Battiato asked philosopher Manlio Sgalambro to write the lyrics for his next album; their professional partnership eventually lasted until Sgalambro's death in 2014.[1][2][3]
Production
editThe album initially had the working title Golpe.[2] It was recorded between Battiato's house in Milo (credited as "L'Ottava") and Fonoprint Studio in Bologna.[1][2] Among the musicians who collaborated to the album, were former Denovo's members Mario Venuti, Luca Madonia and Toni Carbone and Japanese soprano Hiroko Saito.[1] The album and the lead single titles are based on a verse of the Isidore Ducasse's poem Les Chants de Maldoror.[1][2]
Release and reception
editThe album was released on 24 March 1995. The cryptic lyrics of Sgalambro, akin to a stream of consciousness and rich in erudite references, disoriented Battiato's long-standing fans, and the album sold over 100,000 copies, being Battiato's lowest selling album since Patriots.[2]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "L'ombrello e la macchina da cucire" | Franco Battiato, Manlio Sgalambro | 4:20 |
| 2. | "Breve invito a rinviare il suicidio" | Battiato, Sgalambro | 4:19 |
| 3. | "Piccolo pub" | Battiato, Sgalambro | 4:03 |
| 4. | "Fornicazione" | Battiato, Sgalambro | 4:19 |
| 5. | "Gesualdo da Venosa" | Battiato, Sgalambro | 4:08 |
| 6. | "Moto browniano" | Battiato, Sgalambro | 4:43 |
| 7. | "Tao" | Battiato, Sgalambro | 4:01 |
| 8. | "Un vecchio cameriere" | Battiato, Sgalambro | 4:11 |
| 9. | "L'esistenza di Dio" | Battiato, Sgalambro | 7:38 |
Charts
edit| Chart (1995) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Italy (Musica e dischi)[4] | 12 |
References
edit- ^ a b c d Zuffanti, Fabio (30 June 2020). "L'ombrello e la macchina da cucire". Franco Battiato: Tutti i dischi e tutte le canzoni, dal 1965 al 2019 (in Italian). LIT Edizioni. ISBN 978-88-6231-868-6.
- ^ a b c d e La Posta, Annino (2010). "1994-1995:Sgalambro e il ritorno sulla terra". Franco Battiato: soprattutto il silenzio. Giunti. ISBN 978-88-09-74253-6.
- ^ Spessato, Carla (20 October 2021). "Quieto come un insetto che si prende il sole". Franco Battiato: Come un incantesimo. Giunti. ISBN 978-88-09-95527-1.
- ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 29 May 2023. Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Titolo" field, search "L'ombrello e la macchina da cucire".
External links
edit- L'ombrello e la macchina da cucire at Discogs (list of releases)