As he did in his Alsatian and Hungarian orchestral suites, Massenet suggested the rhythms and colors of a geographic region in his fifth suite. The composer visited Naples as a student and had been much impressed by the festivals and celebrations that were part of the fabric of that society. That influence is revealed in the titles of the this three movement work: 1. La danse; 2. La procession; 3. La fête (the celebration). The brilliant first movement opens with the sound of tambourines and quickly moves into a lively tarantella. A solemn procession is announced at the start of the second movement by ringing of bells. The third movements is all breathless energy, suggesting the dancing and merriment that are the hallmark of a festival on the streets of Napoli.

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