Italian music has lost one of its most distinctive voices with the passing of Ornella Vanoni at age 91. The Milan-born singer, celebrated for her emotive delivery and vibrant stage presence, enjoyed a seven-decade career that captivated audiences and earned her over 50 million record sales [[2]], [[3]]. Vanoni’s inclusion in the 1999 sanremo Music festival’s history as its first lifetime achievement award recipient underscores her enduring legacy in Italian culture [[1]].
Ornella Vanoni, the iconic Italian singer with a signature cascade of red curls, has died at the age of 91, according to reports. A mainstay of the Italian music scene for over six decades, Vanoni’s velvety voice and captivating stage presence made her a beloved figure in “musica leggera,” the popular song style that defined Italy’s post-war era.
Throughout her prolific career, Vanoni sold more than 50 million records and collaborated with a stellar lineup of artists, including George Benson, Herbie Hancock, Franco Califano, and Gino Paoli, with whom she shared a long and close artistic and personal relationship. Her enduring popularity speaks to the lasting impact of Italian popular music on a global scale.
Vanoni’s greatest successes came in the 1960s and 70s, delivering hits like “La Musica è Finita,” “Eternita,” “L’Appuntamento” (“Le Rendez-vous”), and “Una Ragione di Più” (“One More Reason”). These songs continue to be staples on Italian radio and in the cultural consciousness.
Born September 22, 1934, in Milan, Vanoni began her career in theater before transitioning to music on the Lombardy capital’s stages, mentored by the renowned theater director Giorgio Strehler, who was also her companion.
She first gained national recognition in 1964 with a win at the Festival of Naples, a now-defunct music competition. Vanoni went on to participate eight times in the prestigious Sanremo Music Festival, a cornerstone of Italian musical culture, achieving a second-place finish in 1968 with “Casa Bianca.”
In 1999, Vanoni became the first singer in the history of Sanremo to receive a lifetime achievement award, recognizing her significant contributions to Italian music.
Known for her outspoken personality, Vanoni remained a fixture in the Italian media throughout her life, openly sharing details of her personal experiences while continuing to perform and record. Her most recent album, “Diverse,” released in 2024, features fresh arrangements of some of her most celebrated songs.
Cet article a été publié automatiquement. Sources : ats / afp
