Musica proibita

"Musica proibita" (English: Forbidden music) is an Italian salon song for solo voice and piano composed by Stanislao Gastaldon. Originally published in 1881, it uses lyrics by an unknown author who used the pen name Flick Flock. A romance, the song is written from the perspective of a young girl who in opposition to her mother would like to repeat the refrain of a love song that a handsome boy sings to her every evening, from under the balcony. It is one of the better-known songs of the romanza da salotto genre of Italian song that was popular in the late 19th and early 20th century. In its original printing, the piece sold 200,000 copies. The work has had enduring popularity internationally.

"Musica proibita" has been arranged for performance with orchestra multiple times by different arrangers. It has been recorded both in its original version with piano and in various chamber ensemble and orchestral versions by many different singers that encompass both high and low voices and singers from multiple genders. While not written specifically for the tenor voice, the song became closely associated with Enrico Caruso who made multiple recordings of the song in the early 20th century. The song later became associated with the tenor Mario Lanza who performed the song many times, including on a tribute album to Caruso in 1959. Lanza renewed a popularity for the song, particularly among tenors, and subsequent recordings were made by tenors Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, and José Carreras among others.

Women have also performed the song, with soprano Etelka Gerster being closely associated with the tune in the late 19th century. Early recordings were made by sopranos Luisa Ardizzoni-Tosi and Emma Eames, and contralto Ida Gardner. More recently, the song has been performed or recorded by Rosa Feola, Elīna Garanča, and Angela Gheorghiu.