Giovanni D'Anzi
Encyclopedia
Giovanni D'Anzi was an Italian songwriter.
D'Anzi was born in Milan
. In 1935 he wrote music and lyrics of "O mia bela Madonina
" ("My beautiful little Madonna
"), a song dedicated to his hometown which soon became very popular and a sort of unofficial city anthem.
Between 1930s and 1950s Giovanni D'Anzi and Alfredo Bracchi
formed a very prolific pair of songwriters. They worked for radio
, cinema
and theater productions. Several of their songs were great hits. Among them "Ma le gambe", "Bambina innamorata", "Ma l'amore no", "Ti parlerò d'amor". His song "Malinconia d'amore" has been sung by both Luciano Pavarotti
and José Carreras
.
Most of their songs were in Milanese
dialect , and described ironically characters of the past in Milan
, for example "La gagarella del Biffi Scala" (the spoiled daughter of Mr Biffi Scala) and "El Tumiami de Luret" (the braggart from Loreto
)
During the 1960s Giovanni D'Anzi retired from the musical scene. He moved to Liguria
and took up painting
.
He died at Santa Margherita Ligure
. Milan's local authorities included him in the list of important Milanese people at the Monumental Cemetery in the Civico Mausoleo Palanti
.
D'Anzi was born 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 ,...
. In 1935 he wrote music and lyrics of "O mia bela Madonina
O mia bela Madonina
O mia bela madunina is a tango song by Giovanni D'Anzi which is an unofficial city anthem of Milan.The title refers to the golden statue of the Virgin Mary on the spire of Milan Cathedral visible all over the city and which is called Madonnina in Italian and Madunina in the dialect of Milan.The...
" ("My beautiful little Madonna
Madonna (art)
Images of the Madonna and the Madonna and Child or Virgin and Child are pictorial or sculptured representations of Mary, Mother of Jesus, either alone, or more frequently, with the infant Jesus. These images are central icons of Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox Christianity where Mary remains...
"), a song dedicated to his hometown which soon became very popular and a sort of unofficial city anthem.
Between 1930s and 1950s Giovanni D'Anzi and Alfredo Bracchi
Alfredo Bracchi
Alfredo Bracchi was a versatile Italian author, whose production ranged from song lyrics to movie scripts....
formed a very prolific pair of songwriters. They worked for radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
, cinema
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
and theater productions. Several of their songs were great hits. Among them "Ma le gambe", "Bambina innamorata", "Ma l'amore no", "Ti parlerò d'amor". His song "Malinconia d'amore" has been sung by both Luciano Pavarotti
Luciano Pavarotti
right|thumb|Luciano Pavarotti performing at the opening of the Constantine Palace in [[Strelna]], 31 May 2003. The concert was part of the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of [[St...
and José Carreras
José Carreras
Josep Maria Carreras i Coll , better known as José Carreras , is a Spanish Catalan tenor particularly known for his performances in the operas of Verdi and Puccini...
.
Most of their songs were in Milanese
Milanese
Milanese is the central variety of the Western Lombard language spoken in the city and province of Milan....
dialect , and described ironically characters of the past 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 ,...
, for example "La gagarella del Biffi Scala" (the spoiled daughter of Mr Biffi Scala) and "El Tumiami de Luret" (the braggart from Loreto
Loreto (AN)
Loreto is a hilltown and comune of the Italian province of Ancona, in the Marche. It is mostly famous as the seat of the Basilica della Santa Casa, a popular Catholic pilgrimage site.-Location:...
)
During the 1960s Giovanni D'Anzi retired from the musical scene. He moved to Liguria
Liguria
Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. Its capital is Genoa. It is a popular region with tourists for its beautiful beaches, picturesque little towns, and good food.-Geography:...
and took up painting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
.
He died at Santa Margherita Ligure
Santa Margherita Ligure
thumb|250px|Villa Durazzo.Santa Margherita Ligure is a comune in the province of Genoa in the Italian region Liguria, located about 35 km southeast of Genoa, in the Tigullio traditional area.left|220px|thumb|16th century castle....
. Milan's local authorities included him in the list of important Milanese people at the Monumental Cemetery in the Civico Mausoleo Palanti
Civico Mausoleo Palanti
The Edicola Palanti inside the Cimitero Monumentale di Milano, work by architect Mario Palanti built in 1924-28, become Civico Mausoleo to honorable citizens of Milan in 1981, february 4...
.