Peppe Barra

Italian Folk Singer and Actor

Italian master performer (Born: July 24, 1944 in Rome, Lazio, Italy) and extraordinary heir of theatrical and musical tradition of Naples, Peppe Barra is widely considered one of the most authentic and significant ambassadors of the Italian music in the world and nevertheless one of the few artists considered a timeless symbol of Neapolitanity. His mother, Concetta Barra has contributed together with other illustrious names such as De Filippo family, Giuffré family, Maggio family to the world wide diffusion of Neapolitan culture and allowing Peppe to learn the subtle art of Music and Theatre. His name is often bounded to the Nuova Compagnia Di Canto Popolare - founded by Roberto De Simone - and to the role of Cruel Mother, successfully played in the first edition of Gatta Cenerentola’s theatrical piece. Peppe Barra is a 360 degree Singer and Actor constantly brings around the world his show leaving the attending crowd speechless. His performances are a perfect example of theatre and music melting together and representing both the tradition and the future of Neapolitan music with all his Mediterranean influences. His fame reaches great Italian author Fabrizio De André who asked him to adapt in Neapolitan language his classic ‘Bocca di Rosa’. Within his countless famous fans we can mention Manu Chao and Roberto Benigni (‘Oscar Prize’ in 2001 for the movie ‘La vita è bella’). Benigni also hired Peppe for an important role in his movie Pinocchio as the cricket ‘Grillo Parlante’. Peppe Barra’s performance opened the Medfest at Barbican Theatre of London in June 2002.