A “forgotten” and “mistreated” artist who deserves to be re-proposed in a new light because his music “accompanied, followed, cradled”. Franco Califano, who died on March 30, 2013, was ignored and mistreated by critics. Marino Collacciani, professor of Communication Sciences and political columnist, but above all a friend of Califano, is convinced of this, who dedicates the volume ‘Franchè Franco. The true face of Califano’ published by the Castelvecchi publisher.
“In blind target practice – Collacciani recalls in the first pages of his book, ideally addressing his deceased friend – your art has often been mistreated, other times ignored, to then win, because the abilities of the champion cannot be denied in the face of ‘constant emotion. You were lucky enough to do a job which, like mine, cannot smuggle quality: what you do can be read and, in your case, fortunately, it can also be listened to”. According to Collacciani, much more is hidden behind the patina of the “guitto from Trasteverino”, as Franco Califano, known mostly as ‘Er Califfo’, has often been represented. A “controversial” figure, according to critics, who however is described in the book by relying on the testimonies of those who frequented him and retracing some unknown stages of his life and his career. “Your poetry – writes Collacciani – has been able to fly high, ignoring the owls perched on small trees without leaves”. What emerges is the portrait of the artist who was able to decline rationality with dreams, to discover the ghosts of isolation and to transform them into travel companions.
“The work – Edoardo Vianello writes in the preface – delves into the life of an uncomfortable ‘character’ in spite of himself, but above all of the man, telling anecdotes and describing inner profiles that no one knows. Through the words of people who have had strong ties with him, the author, a personal friend of Franco, draws an absolutely unprecedented portrait of the singer-songwriter, trying to do justice and dignity to a person who is sometimes mistreated and misunderstood by critics, but not by the public”. The book will be presented on Monday 27 March at 6.30 pm in the Eli bookshop, in viale Somalia 50 A in Rome. Speakers together with the author: Enrica Bonaccorti, Stefano Calvagna, Mita Medici and Edoardo Vianello. Live set by the singer-songwriter Giulia Anania.