Mario Capanna: “Pietrangeli soundtrack of ’68 in processions and occupations”

“It was the first, authentic, beautiful, soundtrack of the Sixty-eight, his songs ‘Contessa’ and ‘Vale Giulia’ were sung at the top of his throat in all the processions, during demonstrations and occupations: his disappearance will never cancel the wonderful memories I have of Paolo Pietrangeli “. This is what the leader of ’68 Mario Capanna said to AdnKronos, learning of the death today of the Roman singer-songwriter, at the age of 76, “my same age …”, he observes. “Hearing him talk and discussing politics was as extraordinary as listening to his songs – underlines Capanna – We met closely, frequented several times, we liked to exchange ideas about the past, the present and the future: he was gifted with a fine intelligence”. Rereading the text of ‘Contessa’, today, someone might be a little perplexed by some explicit exhortation to violence, to rebellion even in the streets … “Of course, I admit that some expressions today could appear a little drastic – he observes – But in that climate they were perfectly fitting and true. The fact of remembering that text of his still today gives the idea of ​​its historical depth, both political and social and cultural. After all – concludes Mario Capanna – he was always a master of himself, precisely because he was a person without bosses “. (by Enzo Bonaiuto)