«Peppino, give me a hand too». Father’s request Maurizio Patriciello it was born from the heart of a difficult battle, that for the Land of Fires, the territory between Naples and Caserta marked by the environmental emergency and the drama of the waste fires. The answer of Peppino Di Capriwho passed away on Saturday at the age of 87, was simple, but contained all his sensitivity: «I can only sing. I can help you like this.”
From that meeting was born a deep friendship between two men apparently distant in history and profession: on the one hand the parish priest of Caivano Green Parkwho has been committed for years against the Camorra and for the dignity of the suburbs; on the other, one of the greatest protagonists of Italian music of the twentieth century, capable of spanning generations with his songs. «I met him on the occasion of an award we received together», Patriciello said, «there was the battle for the Land of Fires and I told him: “Peppino, give me a hand too”. He replied: “I can only sing. I can help you like that.”».
And the singer kept that promise. The December 13, 2018 Peppino Di Capri went on stage in the Parco Verde di Caivano for a concert that remained imprinted in the community’s memory. An evening of music and hope in a place often told only through its wounds.
«It was an unforgettable event», recalls Don Patriciello, «it brought music and solidarity to such a difficult suburb. Everyone danced, even in church.”
That bond didn’t stop at that date. The friendship between the priest and the artist also continued through television. Patriciello, guest of the Rai 1 broadcast In his image to comment on the Gospel, he thought of Peppino Di Capri to tell his story: «We filmed an episode partly in Capri and partly in Naples, in his home. We turned his house upside down. A beautiful friendship was born between us.”
A closeness made of simplicity, esteem and sharing of values. For Patriciello, Peppino Di Capri was not only a great artist, but a person capable of putting his talent at the service of others.
The news of his death left the priest with great pain. «I felt so sad», he confides, «then I remembered that I had asked him, some time ago, how many children were born with his songs. He immediately replied: “Many, many”». A phrase that today takes on the value of a final farewell to a man who, through music, accompanied the loves, dreams and memories of entire generations.
«An era is passing away», says Don Patriciello, «may the Lord be in glory. Tomorrow (Sunday 12 July, ed.) we will dedicate mass to him: in memory of our battles, in memory of a friend».
For the parish priest of Caivano, the memory of an artist who chose to be there remains, not only with his songs, but also with his presence. A concrete gesture of closeness towards a wounded land, in the name of music as an instrument of encounter and hope.
