Certainly, “Torna a Surriento” is one of the most famous Italian songs ever written.

"Torna a Surriento" was composed in 1902 by the Italian musician Ernesto De Curtis. The lyrics were written by his brother, the poet and painter Giambattista De Curtis. The song was copyrighted officially in 1905, and has since become one of the most popular songs of this traditional genre, which includes others such as O sole mio, Funiculì funiculà, and Santa Lucia.

In 1902 Guglielmo Tramontano, mayor of Sorrento, asked his friend Giambattista De Curtis to write the song for the Prime Minister Giuseppe Zanardelli, then vacationing at his seaside hotel, the Imperial Hotel Tramontano.

The song reflects the beauty of the city's great surroundings and the love and passion of its citizens.

Do you know the lyrics of Torna a Surriento? Learn the words to prepare for your Opera e Lirica night at Correale Museum of Terranova.

Neapolitan lyrics

Vide 'o mare quant’è bello, 
spira tantu sentimento, 
Comme tu a chi tiene mente, 
Ca scetato 'o faie sunnà. 
Guarda gua' chistu ciardino; 
Siente, sie’ sti sciur ‘e arance: 
Nu profumo accussi fino 
Dinto 'o core se ne va… 
E tu dice: "I’ parto, addio!" 
T’alluntane da stu core… 
Da sta terra de l’ammore… 
Tiene 'o core 'e nun turnà? 
Vid'o mare de Surriento, 
che tesoro tene nfunno: 
chi ha girato tutto 'o munno 
nun l'ha visto comme'a ccà. 
Vide attuorno sti Sirene, 
ca te guardano 'ncantate, 
e te vonno tantu bene... 
Te vulessero vasà. 
E tu dice: "I' parto, addio!" 
T'alluntane da stu core 
Da sta terra de l'ammore 
Tiene 'o core 'e nun turnà? 
Ma nun me lassà, 
Nun darme stu turmiento! 
Torna a Surriento, Famme campà!

Look at the sea, how beautiful it is, it inspires so many emotions, like you do with the people you look at, who you make to dream while they are still awake. Look at this garden and the scent of these oranges, such a fine perfume, it goes straight into your heart, And you say: "I am leaving, goodbye." You go away from this heart of mine, away from this land of love, And you have the heart not to come back. But do not go away, do not give me this pain. Come back to Surriento, let me live! Look at the sea of Surriento, what a treasure it is! Even who has travelled all over the world, he has never seen a sea like this one. Look at these mermaids that stare, amazed, at you, that love you so much. They would like to kiss you, And you say: "I am leaving, goodbye." You go away from my heart, away from the land of love, And you have the heart not to come back. But please do not go away, do not give me this pain. Come back to Surriento, let me live! 

Giusi Cuccaro