Famous cover versions are by
Dalida (who performed this song in
French,
Italian, and
German),
Eddie Calvert,
Roy Black,
Paul Mauriat,
Marijan Domić, and
Melissa Venema. German trumpeter
Roy Etzel's version of the song, without lyrics, was also popular in the US and reached number 140 in the
Billboard Top LPs on Christmas 1965. A
Māori version, with words by
George Tait, titled "The Bridge", was released by New Zealand entertainer
Deane Waretini and topped the New Zealand singles charts in 1981.
Al Hirt released a version of the song as a single in 1965 that reached number 19 on the
adult contemporary chart and number 96 on the
Billboard Hot 100. In 2008, the soloist was a 13-year-old Dutch girl,
Melissa Venema, backed by
André Rieu and the Royal Orchestra of the Netherlands. It was released by the London Swing Orchestra in 2015 as the final track of their fourth album, and features the trumpet of Michael Lovatt, who is now lead trumpet with the John Wilson Orchestra and the BBC Big Band, Upbeat Records URCD266. Dutch hit trumpeter Ryan Ricks (
Rik Mol) has recorded "Il Silenzio" in 2018 for his album ''C'est la Vie'' released by Universal Music Group CD20186. In the 2014 film "American Sniper", about Navy Seal Chris Kyle, was played at end of film, while showing funeral procession and memorial service at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. ==References==