This diamond of classical vocal music was first published in 1887. Francesco Paolo Tosti composed the music to a poem by Rocco Emanuele Pagliara. Bass-baritone Marc Berman sings in the video.
In their day, the art songs of Tosti were as popular as the great opera arias. Likewise, Tosti composed "Malìa" not just as an art song, but, in effect, also as a strophic opera aria, like Giuseppe Verdi's "Questo o Quella" or "Di Provenza Il Mar Il Suol.".
You might even call "Malìa" an "opera song." "Many a great opera singer has sung the piece. Opera singers who have recorded "Malìa" include Carlo Bergonzi, Franco Bonisolli, Renato Bruson, José Carreras, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Luciano Pavarotti, and Cesare Siepi.
Other famous songs of Tosti include “A vucchella,” ”Aprile Good-Bye! (Addio),”Ideale,” Il segreto,” ”L'alba separa dalla luce l'ombra,” “ L'ultima canzone,” La serenata,” “Luna d'estate,” “Marechiare,” “Non t'amo più!,” “Pour un baiser,” “Preghiera,” “L'alba separa dalla luce l'ombra,” “Ridonami la calma,” “Sogno,” “Tristezza,” “Vorrei,” and “Vorrei Morire!”
The video also features paintings by Renoir.