What is "mattinata"

Mattinata is a famous seaside resort town and comune (municipality) in the province of Foggia, Apulia, southern Italy.

Do not confuse with songs of the same name by Ottorino Respighi and Paolo Tosti.

Mattinata (; English: "Morning") was the first song ever written expressly for the Gramophone Company (the present day HMV). Composed by Ruggero Leoncavallo in 1904, this song was dedicated to Enrico Caruso, who was the first to record it in 1904 with the composer at the piano. Ever since, this piece has become a concert favourite.

More than a half-century later this song was recorded by Italian-born tenor Sergio Franchi on his American-debut album, Romantic Italian Songs (RCA Victor Red Seal, 1962). In only three months, Franchi's album of mostly Neapolitan favorites songs placed number seventeen on the Billboard Top 200. Thirty-six years later (eight years after Franchi's death) the same album placed number one hundred sixty-seven on the Billboard 200.