Curated by Gabriele Olivieri

Thanks to the passion and dedicated collecting activities of Gabriele Olivieri, Mercanteinfiera is set to showcase an impressive collection of records and memorabilia celebrating the 90 years of the ‘King’ of rock ’n’ roll. Regarded by critics as one of the greatest voices of the 20th century, Elvis was an inspiration to countless musicians and performers. His influence reshaped global popular culture and profoundly impacted generations of artists who followed.

The exhibition will feature posters, flyers, newspapers of the time, books, and, most notably, Elvis’s Italian discography—items that, even today, epitomize his charisma, the uniqueness of his artistry, and his enduring impact on both musical and cultural landscapes.

During his 24-year career, Elvis released 61 albums and is estimated to have sold over 1 billion records worldwide. Many of his songs repeatedly topped the Billboard Top Chart, with similar success in the UK, where he achieved 21 number-one singles, some staying at the top for up to 80 weeks. His 45 RPM singles remained on the charts for 1,277 weeks, while his LPs consistently appeared in the Top 10 from November 1958 to July 1964.

Aside from six concerts in Canada in the late 1950s, Elvis never performed outside the United States, making his global cultural influence even more extraordinary.