It seems like almost yesterday [it was actually in 2018] that I posted of our joy here at Dolores Delargo Towers in discovering (another) "new" diva.
Yesterday came the news that Italy's beloved Milva "La Rossa" [so nicknamed because of her fiery locks; she was also known as "La Pantera [Panther] di Goro"] had taken her ticket in the queue for Fabulon...
In her six-decade career, she sold more than 80 million records and recorded 173 albums. She specialised in the "edgier" end of the "chanson" style, having great success with her interpretations of songs by Edith Piaf and Brecht and Weill, she also collaborated with greats such as Ennio Morricone, Francis Lai, Mikis Theodorakis, Vangelis, Franco Battiato and Astor Piazzolla, and appeared on the great opera stages of Europe including La Scala Milan, Paris Opera and the Royal Opera House. She was the only Italian artist in contemporary times who was simultaneously Chevalier of the National Order of the Legion of Honour of the French Republic, Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Officer of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
Phew. What a woman!
Here she is, giving Grace Jones a run for her money in the "tango-interpretation" stakes!
RIP, Milva (born Maria Ilva Biolcati, 17th July 1939 – 23rd April 2021)
one of my all time favorites...Mina, Iva Zanicchi, Raffaella Carra, Orietta Berti....italy has produced some fabulous talent over the years
ReplyDeleteI agree - I adore both Raffaella and Mina, and I've also posted about Patty Pravo and Wanda Osiris (as well as Le Sorelle Marinetti and Paulo Poli)... Jx
Deleteoh dear, i forgot La Pravo.
ReplyDeleteShe'll not forgive you! Jx
DeleteIn the next year or two, I have the feeling there will be a lot of checking out.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of our favourite stars are in their 80s and 90s now... Jx
DeleteLove. Great classic look and sound. She makes me think of Pedro Almodóvar films. Very sad when divas leave us still applauding...
ReplyDeleteShame she was never better known outside central Europe, really, much like her contemporary Mina... Jx
DeleteLa Pantera! The Playboy Of The Western World, my father-in-law who was as fabulously gay as gay can be and also the biodad of The Biker, was devoted to La Pantera! He loved her records and her look. dammit. I'm not crying you're crying.
ReplyDeleteShe certainly had the right look and histrionics for a "gay icon"... Jx
DeleteVery mellow. Sad that she's checked out.
ReplyDeleteSx
I imagine there's much wailing and knitting of rosaries in Italy as we speak. Jx
DeleteSad loss and the world becomes a little less camp and a little duller than it was.
ReplyDeleteSapienti parole... [Wise words] Jx
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