Francesco Pennino

Italian poet and composer of Neapolitan songs, a.k.a. Frank Pennino (Naples, March 12, 1880 - † June 21, 1959, Brooklyn, Kings, NY, USA), also film importer and owner of the Impero Theatre, Brooklyn. From the age of 14, Pennino revealed his artistic talent by composing poems and verses. While studying the piano at the Conservatory of S. Pietro a Maiella in Naples, he worked in cafés, accompanying his friend, the young tenor Enrico Caruso, on the piano. In 1905, he emigrated to New York. In June 1917, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen. It is said that he wrote his hit song Lassanno Napule (Napule Te Saluto) on the ship to America. Other important songs composed by Pennino are "Senza Mamma" (1917) and "Senza Perdono" (1919). Father of lyricist Italia Pennino, whose husband was the composer, flutist, and conductor Carmine Coppola, and grandfather of director and producer Francis Ford Coppola.