Gianna Nannini
Encyclopedia
Gianna Nannini is an Italian
female singer-songwriter
and pop
musician. She may be best known for her 1986 song "Bello e Impossibile".
on 14 June 1956, Nannini studied piano
in Lucca
and then composition in Milan
. She is the older sister of former Formula One
racing driver Alessandro Nannini
. She graduated in philosophy from the University of Siena
in 1994. The following year she took part in a protest organized by Greenpeace
at the French embassy in Rome
against the decision of the French government to pursue nuclear experiments at Mururoa. In 2010, at the age of 54, she announced that she was pregnant and that she would dedicate the upcoming album to her child. Gianna showed off her pregnancy on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine wearing a T-shirt with the inscription ‘God is a woman’. On 26 November 2010 at 12am Nannini's daughter Penelope Jane Charlotte was born by caesarean on the seventh floor of the Madonnina Clinic in Milan. The girl weighed 2.530 kilos and was 48 cm long.
, which became a success in several European countries. The rise to fame in Italy started in 1984 with the release of her sixth album, Puzzle
. This album peaked in the top 10 at the Italian, German, Austrian and Swiss hit-parades. She sang for the videoclip "Fotoromanza" (directed by Michelangelo Antonioni
), won several musical awards and started a European tour, including a participation at the Montreux Jazz Festival
. In 1986, her hit "Bello e Impossibile" was a huge success and brought her more awards in Italy, Germany
, Austria
and Switzerland
. Her 1987 compilation Maschi e Altri
sold over a million copies.
In 2004, she released a kind of Greatest Hits compilation, but the songs were all re-recorded for the occasion. The CD Perle
contains a number of her former hits in new arrangements. Backup-musicians were Christian Lohr on piano (who also is co-producer), and a stringquartet: Vincenzo di Donna (first violin), Luigi de Maio (second violin), Gerardo Morrone (viola), Antonio di Franca (violoncello). With this orchestra Gianna went on a "Perle-tour" in central Europe during 2004-2005.
The album Grazie
was released in February 2006, and peaked at number one of the Italian hit-parade with the single "Sei nell'anima". During the summer of 2006, she toured all over Italy as promotion for the album. "Io", another track from the album, also became a big hit.
In April 2007, she released Pia Come la Canto Io, a collection of songs written for a pop opera that was performed in 2008. This work was eleven years in the making, and is based on the medieval Tuscan character Pia de' Tolomei
(mentioned briefly in Dante's Inferno
). The album was produced by Wil Malone, who also produced Grazie.
An acoustic version of her song Meravigliosa Creatura
(from Perle) has been used in a 2008 advertisement spot for the Fiat Bravo
directed by Matthias Zentner. The song and the spot have achieved such a success to take Perle to the Italian top 50 in sales, and Fiat would later include a Gianna Nannini song Aria in another Fiat Bravo ad.
sang "Un'estate italiana
", the official song of the Football World Cup 1990. In September 2006, she recorded the CD single "Ama Credi E Vai" with Andrea Bocelli
. Nannini was also featured on Einstürzende Neubauten
member Alexander Hacke
's solo album Sanctuary, on the track "Per Sempre Butterfly". In 2008 she duetted with the Italien rapper Fabri Fibra
in his videoclip version of the song "In Italia". She also sang the song "Aria" with the Macedonian singer Toše Proeski
.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
female singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
musician. She may be best known for her 1986 song "Bello e Impossibile".
Personal life
Born in SienaSiena
Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena.The historic centre of Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. It is one of the nation's most visited tourist attractions, with over 163,000 international arrivals in 2008...
on 14 June 1956, Nannini studied piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
in Lucca
Lucca
Lucca is a city and comune in Tuscany, central Italy, situated on the river Serchio in a fertile plainnear the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Lucca...
and then composition in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
. She is the older sister of former Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
racing driver Alessandro Nannini
Alessandro Nannini
Alessandro "Sandro" Nannini is a former racing driver from Italy. He is the younger brother of rock-singer Gianna Nannini.-Biography:...
. She graduated in philosophy from the University of Siena
University of Siena
The University of Siena in Siena, Tuscany is one of the oldest and first publicly funded universities in Italy. Originally called Studium Senese, the University of Siena was founded in 1240. The University has around 20,000 students, nearly half of Siena's total population of around 54,000...
in 1994. The following year she took part in a protest organized by Greenpeace
Greenpeace
Greenpeace is a non-governmental environmental organization with offices in over forty countries and with an international coordinating body in Amsterdam, The Netherlands...
at the French embassy in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
against the decision of the French government to pursue nuclear experiments at Mururoa. In 2010, at the age of 54, she announced that she was pregnant and that she would dedicate the upcoming album to her child. Gianna showed off her pregnancy on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine wearing a T-shirt with the inscription ‘God is a woman’. On 26 November 2010 at 12am Nannini's daughter Penelope Jane Charlotte was born by caesarean on the seventh floor of the Madonnina Clinic in Milan. The girl weighed 2.530 kilos and was 48 cm long.
Musical career
Her first hit was in 1979 with the single "America" and the album CaliforniaCalifornia (Gianna Nannini album)
-Track listing:All songs by Gianna Nannini except as noted.#"America" – 4:20#"California" – 8:14#"Good Bye My Heart" – 6:19#"Io e Bobby McGee" - 4:38#"Sognami" – 4:01...
, which became a success in several European countries. The rise to fame in Italy started in 1984 with the release of her sixth album, Puzzle
Puzzle (Gianna Nannini album)
-Track listing:#"Kolossal" – 3:58#"Fotoromanza" – 4:27#"L'Urlo" – 4:07...
. This album peaked in the top 10 at the Italian, German, Austrian and Swiss hit-parades. She sang for the videoclip "Fotoromanza" (directed by Michelangelo Antonioni
Michelangelo Antonioni
Michelangelo Antonioni, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI was an Italian modernist film director, screenwriter, editor and short story writer.- Personal life :...
), won several musical awards and started a European tour, including a participation at the Montreux Jazz Festival
Montreux Jazz Festival
The Montreux Jazz Festival is the best-known music festival in Switzerland and one of the most prestigious in Europe; it is held annually in early July in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva...
. In 1986, her hit "Bello e Impossibile" was a huge success and brought her more awards in Italy, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. Her 1987 compilation Maschi e Altri
Maschi e Altri
Maschi e Altri is the ninth album by Gianna Nannini. It was her first compilation album and was released in 1987.-Track listing:#"I Maschi"#"Profumo" - 3:50#"America" – 4:20...
sold over a million copies.
In 2004, she released a kind of Greatest Hits compilation, but the songs were all re-recorded for the occasion. The CD Perle
Perle (album)
Perle is the eighteenth album released by Gianna Nannini in 2004. It reached number 6 on the Italian album chart and number 22 on the album chart in Switzerland.-Track listing:#"Notti Senza Cuore" - 4:14...
contains a number of her former hits in new arrangements. Backup-musicians were Christian Lohr on piano (who also is co-producer), and a stringquartet: Vincenzo di Donna (first violin), Luigi de Maio (second violin), Gerardo Morrone (viola), Antonio di Franca (violoncello). With this orchestra Gianna went on a "Perle-tour" in central Europe during 2004-2005.
The album Grazie
Grazie
Grazie is the nineteenth album released by Gianna Nannini. It was released in 2006.-Track listing:#"Sei Nell'Anima" Grazie is the nineteenth album released by Gianna Nannini. It was released in 2006.-Track listing:#"Sei Nell'Anima" Grazie is the nineteenth album released by Gianna Nannini. It was...
was released in February 2006, and peaked at number one of the Italian hit-parade with the single "Sei nell'anima". During the summer of 2006, she toured all over Italy as promotion for the album. "Io", another track from the album, also became a big hit.
In April 2007, she released Pia Come la Canto Io, a collection of songs written for a pop opera that was performed in 2008. This work was eleven years in the making, and is based on the medieval Tuscan character Pia de' Tolomei
Pia de' Tolomei
Pia de' Tolomei is a tragedia lirica, or tragic opera, in two acts by Gaetano Donizetti. Salvadore Cammarano wrote the Italian libretto after Bartolomeo Sestini's novella, in its turn after Dante's narrative poem The Divine Comedy part 2: Purgatorio...
(mentioned briefly in Dante's Inferno
Inferno (Dante)
Inferno is the first part of Dante Alighieri's 14th-century epic poem Divine Comedy. It is followed by Purgatorio and Paradiso. It is an allegory telling of the journey of Dante through what is largely the medieval concept of Hell, guided by the Roman poet Virgil. In the poem, Hell is depicted as...
). The album was produced by Wil Malone, who also produced Grazie.
An acoustic version of her song Meravigliosa Creatura
Meravigliosa creatura
"Meravigliosa creatura" is a song by Italian rock vocalist Gianna Nannini, written by Mara Redeghieri, vocalist at Ustmamò. The single was simultaniousley on air at different radio networks on 1 January 1995, one minute after midnight, and it anticipates the release of the album Dispetto, expected...
(from Perle) has been used in a 2008 advertisement spot for the Fiat Bravo
Fiat Bravo (2007)
The Fiat Bravo is a small family car introduced to the press in January 2007 in Rome, and later in the Geneva Motor Show in 2007.- History :The Bravo is produced in Fiat's plant in Piedimonte S. Germano. The car was designed by Fiat Style Centre. Austrian automotive company Magna Steyr engineered a...
directed by Matthias Zentner. The song and the spot have achieved such a success to take Perle to the Italian top 50 in sales, and Fiat would later include a Gianna Nannini song Aria in another Fiat Bravo ad.
Duets
In 1990, she and Edoardo BennatoEdoardo Bennato
Edoardo Bennato is an Italian singer-songwriter. He is the brother of the singer-songwriter Eugenio Bennato.-Biography:...
sang "Un'estate italiana
Un'estate italiana
"Un'estate italiana" or "An Italian Summer" , is a 1990 song composed by Giorgio Moroder with lyrics by Tom Whitlock for the 1990 FIFA World Cup held in Italy...
", the official song of the Football World Cup 1990. In September 2006, she recorded the CD single "Ama Credi E Vai" with Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli, is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist and classical crossover artist. Born with poor eyesight, he became blind at the age of twelve following a soccer accident....
. Nannini was also featured on Einstürzende Neubauten
Einstürzende Neubauten
Einstürzende Neubauten is a German post-industrial band, originally from West Berlin, formed in 1980. The group currently comprises Blixa Bargeld , Alexander Hacke , N.U...
member Alexander Hacke
Alexander Hacke
Alexander Hacke is a guitarist, bass guitarist, singer, experimental / industrial / electronic musician from Germany....
's solo album Sanctuary, on the track "Per Sempre Butterfly". In 2008 she duetted with the Italien rapper Fabri Fibra
Fabri Fibra
Fabri Fibra is an Italian rapper.- Biography :Tarducci was born in Senigallia, Marche. He became interested in music from a young age; he wrote and performed his first piece when he was 17 years old....
in his videoclip version of the song "In Italia". She also sang the song "Aria" with the Macedonian singer Toše Proeski
Toše Proeski
Todor Toše Proeski was a Macedonian multi-genre singer, songwriter and actor. He was popular across the entire Balkan area and all around Eastern Europe, and locally he was considered a top act of the Macedonian music scene...
.
Discography
- Gianna NanniniGianna Nannini (album)-Track listing:All songs by Gianna Nannini - Parole / Gianna Nannini.#"Come Un Angelo"#"Storia Un Di Sorriso"#"E Poi Viaggiai"#"Un'Anima Di Sughero "#"Addio"#"Ti Avevo Chiesto Solo Di Toccami"#"Fantasia"#"Ma Lasciati Andare"#"Morta Per Autoprocurato Aborto"...
(1976) - Una raduraUna radura-Track listing:All songs by Gianna Nannini / Parde except as noted.#"Dialogo"#"Rebecca"#"Basta"#"Frenesia"#"Se"#"Maria Paola"#"Siamo Vivi"#"Sono Stanco"#"Riprendola Mia Faccia" #"Una Radura ..."...
(1977) - CaliforniaCalifornia (Gianna Nannini album)-Track listing:All songs by Gianna Nannini except as noted.#"America" – 4:20#"California" – 8:14#"Good Bye My Heart" – 6:19#"Io e Bobby McGee" - 4:38#"Sognami" – 4:01...
(1979) - G. N.G. N.-Track listing:All songs by Gianna Nannini#"Vieni Ragazzo" - 3:46#"Nessuna Direzione" - 3:51#"Bi Bip" - 3:01#"Uò-Uò" - 5:30#"Occhi Aperti" - 3:37#"Autostrada" - 3:56#"Come Un Treno" - 4:26#"Stop" - 3:25- Personnel :*Keyboards, vocals: Gianna Nannini...
(1981) - Sconcerto Rock (1981, soundtrack)
- Latin LoverLatin Lover (album)-Track listing:#"Primadonna" – 3:47#"Wagon-Lits" – 4:10#"Ragazzo Dell'Europa" – 3:34#"Latin Lover" -Track listing:#"Primadonna" (M. Paoluzzi - Gianna Nannini) – 3:47#"Wagon-Lits" (Gianna Nannini - M. Paoluzzi/Gianna Nannini) – 4:10#"Ragazzo Dell'Europa" (Gianna Nannini) – 3:34#"Latin Lover"...
(1982) - PuzzlePuzzle (Gianna Nannini album)-Track listing:#"Kolossal" – 3:58#"Fotoromanza" – 4:27#"L'Urlo" – 4:07...
(1984) - Tutto LiveTutto LiveTutto Live is the seventh album, and first live album, by Gianna Nannini. The album was recorded between May and November 1985 at Berlin, Montreux, Siena, Locarno and Dortmund.-Track listing:#"Intro" – 1:37...
(1985, live) - ProfumoProfumo (album)-Track listing:#"Bello e Impossibile" – 4:40#"Profumo" - 3:50#"Come una Schiava" – 5:11#"Gelosia" - 3:05...
(1986) - Maschi e AltriMaschi e AltriMaschi e Altri is the ninth album by Gianna Nannini. It was her first compilation album and was released in 1987.-Track listing:#"I Maschi"#"Profumo" - 3:50#"America" – 4:20...
(1987, compilation) - MalafemminaMalafemminaMalafemmina is Gianna Nannini's eighth studio album, and tenth album overall. It was released in 1988.-Track listing:#"Hey Bionda" – 4:38#"Voglio Fare L'Amore" - 4:17...
(1988) - ScandaloScandaloScandalo is Gianna Nannini's ninth studio album, and eleventh album overall. It was released in 1990.-Track listing:#"Scandalo"#"5 Minuti"#"Indiana"#"Dea"#"E-ya-po E E-ya-po"#"Madonna Welt"#"Due Ragazzme In Me"#"Sorridi"#"Spiriti Amanti"...
(1990) - GiannissimaGiannissimaGiannissima is Gianna Nannini's second live album, and twelfth album overall. It was released in 1991.-Track listing:#"Intro"#"I Maschi"#"Primadonna"#"Profumo"#"Sorridi"#"Bello E Impossibile"#"Dea"#"E-Ya-Po E-Ya-Po"#"Avventuriera"#"America"...
(1991, live) - Maschi e altri [Chicos y otros](1992, Spanish language version)
- X Forza E X AmoreX Forza E X AmoreX Forza E X Amore is Gianna Nannini's tenth studio album, and thirteenth album overall. It was released in 1993 on Polydor Records.-Track listing:#"Radio Baccano"#"Io Senza Te"#"Bell'Amica"#"Tira Tira"#"Principe Azzuro"#"Per Forza E Per Amore"...
(1993) - DispettoDispettoDispetto is the fourteenth album by Gianna Nannini, released in 1995.-Track listing:#"Bellatrix" – 1:33#"Meravigliosa creatura" – 4:32#"Per dispetto" – 4:31#"Non ti voglio" – 3:27#"Fotografia" – 4:33#"Piangerò" – 5:02#"Ottava vita" – 3:45...
(1995) - BomboloniBomboloniBomboloni is the second compilation album, and fifteenth album overall, by Gianna Nannini. It was released in 1996 on Polydor Records.-Track listing:# "Bomboloni" - 4:11#*New song, produced by M...
(1996, compilation) including a song about bombolone (pastry) - CuoreCuore (album)Cuore is the twelfth studio album, and sixteenth album overall, by Gianna Nannini. It was released in 1998 on Polydor Records.-Track listing:#"Un Giorno Disumano"#"Bacio Fondente"#"Centomila"#"Notti Senza Cuore"#"Come Sei"#"Peccato Originale"...
(1998) - MomoMomo (album)Momo is a soundtrack album for the movie Momo, by Gianna Nannini. It was released in 2001 on Polydor Records.-Track listing:#"Intro" - 1:52#"Epica" - 4:44...
(2002, soundtrack) - AriaAria (Gianna Nannini album)Aria is the seventeenth album released by Gianna Nannini in 2002. It reached number 7 on the Italian album chart and number 29 on the album chart in Switzerland.-Track listing:#"Volo"#"Uomini A Metà"#"Aria"#"DJ Morphine"#"Sveglia"#"Immortale"...
(2002) #7 (ITA), #29 (SUI) - PerlePerle (album)Perle is the eighteenth album released by Gianna Nannini in 2004. It reached number 6 on the Italian album chart and number 22 on the album chart in Switzerland.-Track listing:#"Notti Senza Cuore" - 4:14...
(2004) #6 (ITA), #22 (SUI) - GrazieGrazieGrazie is the nineteenth album released by Gianna Nannini. It was released in 2006.-Track listing:#"Sei Nell'Anima" Grazie is the nineteenth album released by Gianna Nannini. It was released in 2006.-Track listing:#"Sei Nell'Anima" Grazie is the nineteenth album released by Gianna Nannini. It was...
(2006) #1 (ITA), #12 (SUI), #32 (GER) ( Italy 7x platinum ) - Pia come la canto io (2007) #5 (ITA)
- Giannabest (2007, compilation) #1 (ITA), #15 (POR), #23 (SUI), #32 (GER) ( Italy 7x Platinum )
- Giannadream - Solo I Sogni Sono Veri (2009) (ITA #2) ( ITA 4x Platinum )
- Extradream - Solo I Sogni Sono Veri (2010)
- Io e te (2011) ( ITA #1 ) ( ITA Gold )
External links
- Gianna Nannini official site
- Review of Giannadream (in English)