Out of 32 Italian Eurovision performers only six have been female soloists before Nina Zilli who now becomes the seventh. That's against 17 male soloists, two groups and six duets! Some consolation comes from the fact that two of these six ladies have done it twice.
It all started with the first Eurovision in 1956 where Italy, like the other six countries, sent two songs by two female artists who were also the top-2 of Sanremo festival. Franca Raimondi (1932-1988) won Sanremo with Aprite le finestre while Tonina Torrielli came second with Amami se vuoi. Both ladies soon left the show business and Torrielli officially stopped singing in 1965, but has made occasional appearances in nostalgic shows since 2008!
Five years later it was time for Betty Curtis (1936-2006), that year's Sanremo winner with Al di là. She remained some what active in the music business until late 1970's and was also seen in nostalgic variety shows on TV in the 2000's.
Three years later only 16-year-old Gigliola Cinquetti first won Sanremo, then Eurovision with Non ho l'età and went on to become a world star with many hits in various languages in the 1970's, helped also my her second participation in Eurovision with Si and its 2nd place, second only to ABBA. Her singing career went on until mid-1990's. In the 1990's she also started hosting TV-shows including the Eurovision 1991 in Rome. She's still active on that new profession.
In 1969 Iva Zanicchi was one of the biggest stars in Italy and that year's Sanremo winner with Zingara. She took to Eurovision though another song, Due grosse lacrime bianche. She is still singing, conducting TV-shows and also active in politics besides writing books. A strong woman with a strong voice and strong opinions! And great sense of humor!
And then we have Mia Martini (1947-1995), a legend. Her numerous hits, incredible stage presence and tragic life has fascinated Italians for decades and she's all but forgotten today. Her first try Libera in 1977 was a bold move and Rapsodia 15 years later pure magic. The critic's award given out in Sanremo festival is named after her and for example Raphael Gualazzi won this very much respected award in 2011. And the year before it was won by certain newcomer Nina Zilli for L'uomo che amava le donne.... who now returns 20 years after the last femmina italiana in Eurovision. L'amore è femmina in 2012!
Comments