Italy's Last Cantastorie: Franco Trincale Sings News at 90 in Nursing Home
Franco Trincale, Italy's final great cantastorie, continues to perform his unique brand of musical journalism at age 90, keeping alive a dying tradition of wandering musicians who transform news into song. From his assisted living facility in Milan, Trincale entertains fellow residents with compositions that have documented six decades of Italian history.
From Barber Boy to Musical Journalist
Born in 1939 in Militello in Val di Catania, Sicily, Trincale began his musical journey as a barber boy, singing Sicilian songs between customers. He moved to Milan seventy years ago and became a cantastorie out of necessity after leaving the navy and struggling with vegetable sales. "I had just married Lina and left the navy after serving for three years," Trincale recalls. "I tried selling vegetables, it wasn't working, so I said to myself, 'I'll be a cantastorie.'"
For six decades, Trincale walked Milan's streets singing about pivotal moments:
- 1970s terrorism and political turmoil
- Silvio Berlusconi's election and political career
- The Iraq war and international conflicts
- Labor rights movements and workers' protests
The Cantastorie Tradition: News Through Song
The cantastorie tradition represents a unique form of musical journalism that flourished in Italy throughout the 20th century. These wandering musicians entertained audiences by recounting current events in dramatic or ironic songs, accompanied by guitars or accordions and illustrated posters. Unlike other European traveling musicians, cantastorie exclusively sang about real-life stories, descending from medieval troubadours while maintaining contemporary relevance.
Mauro Geraci, an anthropologist at the University of Messina, explains: "Cantastorie followed current events. It's no coincidence they emerged at the beginning of the 20th century, when public opinion was forming." Famous cantastorie like Ciccio Busacca, Otello Profazio, and Rosa Balistreri sang about:
- Blood-soaked tales of revenge and tragedy
- Migration stories and mafia activities
- International political developments
- Social commentary on contemporary issues
Trincale's Signature Style and Impact
Trincale developed his distinctive approach while performing outside Milan's factories during workers' short breaks. "The workers asked me why I didn't write about their problems, like the renewal of contracts," he remembers. "They gave me some suggestions and I put them in the song." This led to his creation of shorter cantate that captured labor issues in just a few minutes.
His work extended beyond labor rights to include groundbreaking true crime storytelling. His most famous work documented the 1969 kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old Ermanno Lavorini through six separate recordings that followed the investigation in real time. Trincale even conducted original reporting, interviewing family members of victims, blurring the lines between musical performance and journalism.
Political Influence and Recognition
Trincale's performances in Piazza Duomo covered major political events including the Tangentopoli corruption scandal of the early 1990s, the 2001 G8 summit in Genoa, and technological changes like the advent of mobile phones. His political commentary became so influential that in 2002, then-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi cited Trincale's mocking performances as creating a biased environment for his corruption trial in Milan.
Recognition for his artistic contributions has been substantial:
- 2008: Awarded a medal by the city of Milan
- Received a lifetime pension from the Italian government
- 2018: Museum dedicated to him opened in his Sicilian birthplace
- Maintains an active YouTube channel with videos reaching 400,000 views
Nursing Home Performances and Personal Life
Now residing at Il Parco delle Cave assisted living facility, Trincale continues performing despite physical challenges. His Valentine's Day concert attracted 150 residents and relatives, with the audience helping him through high notes. "I am proud to be able to sing and I will do so for as long as I can," Trincale declares. "I am happy to still be able to stir emotions, also because I have received so much from others."
His personal life centers around his wife Lina, who has Alzheimer's and lives in the same facility. "Lina and I have known each other since she was 13 and I was 17," he shares. "I am happy to spend the last part of my life with her. I visit her as often as possible. I sing songs to her when she opens her eyes and smiles at me. It's as if I were recharging my batteries."
Preserving Tradition in Modern Times
The nursing home staff enthusiastically supports Trincale's continued performances. Laura Sartori, the facility manager, observes: "It's wonderful to see a resident who is still able to give a concert in the afternoon." His 90th birthday concert in September filled the hall beyond capacity, demonstrating the enduring appeal of his musical storytelling.
Looking forward, Trincale hopes to establish a music workshop for people with Alzheimer's, including his wife. "I should observe them first to see if they respond to the songs," he considers. "I hope it's possible." As Italy's last great cantastorie, Franco Trincale represents both a living archive of Italian history and a testament to the power of musical storytelling, proving that news can indeed be sung—even at 90 years old in a nursing home.
