Roberto De Simone
Roberto De Simone was a renowned Italian composer, playwright, and director, celebrated as a master of Neapolitan culture and traditions. Born in Naples in 1933, he exhibited prodigious talent from a young age, entering the Conservatorio di San Pietro a Majella at just 12. De Simone's most acclaimed work, 'La Gatta Cenerentola,' premiered in 1976 and is considered a monumental achievement in the revival of Italian folk music and theater. Throughout his career, he was deeply engaged in exploring and preserving the rich tapestry of Campanian folk traditions, blending them with contemporary theatrical forms. He held significant positions in various prestigious institutions, including serving as the artistic director of Teatro di San Carlo and the Conservatorio di San Pietro a Majella. De Simone's legacy includes a vast body of work that spans opera, theater, and literature, marked by his commitment to keeping the spirit of Neapolitan culture alive. He passed away in 2024 at the age of 91, leaving behind a profound impact on Italian performing arts.
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Recent news mentions
Roberto De Simone cast Sal Da Vinci as the protagonist in the 'Opera buffa del Giovedì Santo' in 2001.
Sal Da Vinci: «Premio diviso con Geolier. A Sanremo sono stato bocciato tredici volte»
Italy· 2026-03-02
Roberto De Simone is a maestro with whom Sal Da Vinci has collaborated.
La storia di Sal Da Vinci, cantante e attore figlio d'arte: il vero nome, le sceneggiate, il ruolo in «Troppo forte» con Verdone e il successo con «Rossetto e caffè»Italy· 2026-03-01
Roberto De Simone’s 1976 folk opera La Gatta Cenerentola celebrates his city’s folklore.
Paranoia, pop-dubstep and perfectly odd gems: the best old music we discovered this year | Culture
United Kingdom· 2025-12-25
Roberto De Simone was a significant figure in Naples' cultural scene and a mentor to Peppe Barra.
Peppe Barra ricorda Roberto De Simone: «Era un grande affabulatore, con lui potevi parlare di tutto, di alchimia, di esoterismo...»Italy· 2025-04-08
Roberto De Simone was a composer and musicologist known for his contributions to the musical traditions of the 17th and 18th centuries.
È morto il maestro Roberto De Simone, artista del popolo che viene dal popoloItaly· 2025-04-07
Roberto De Simone was a renowned figure in the Neapolitan tradition and the creator of the masterpiece 'La Gatta Cenerentola'.
Morto a Napoli Roberto De Simone, geniale cantore della tradizione partenopea. Aveva 91 anni, il suo capolavoro fu «La Gatta Cenerentola»Italy· 2025-04-07