chansonnier Archivi - Page 2 of 2

Aznavour’s Sirens – vol. 1: Rosy Messina

August 26, 2020June 12, 2020 by Michelangelo Nari

Like Ulysses, on the journey to the album “Vous Permettez, Aznavour?” I was tempted by three Sirens: some really special colleagues and friends (not always an obvious combination), with splendid voices and extraordinary musicality. They sang with me in three beautiful duets, each one I think very suitable to their vocal style and nature.

Today I present the first one: a volcano of energy, a partner in many adventures, a great talent filled with passion and dedication: Rosy Messina.

Rosy performs with me in the duet “Ti lasci andare”, a song that Charles Aznavour sang with Iva Zanicchi in 1971: a tired couple, who sticks together without enthusiasm or passion, but who still has the desire to rediscover and find the freshness of the past.

Rosy and I have already been in many shows together, and we are not that tired of each other yet… The hope is that there will be many new experiences to live and share together, always with the same overwhelming good humor.

“… try to be back that girl, the one who came singing towards me long time ago

And just like then, hold me tight till you will let go”

BIOGRAPHY:

Rosy Messina was born in Caltagirone (CT) on 08/24/1985. She graduated in classical and modern dance and then obtained her Musical theory and Solfeggio license at the Bellini Conservatory in Catania. She moved to Rome and continued her education by taking the Orff Schulwerk methodology qualification, studying at the Cinecittà Musical Academy and graduating in Literature, Music and Arts.

On TV, she is a finalist of All Together Now, show hosted by Michelle Hunziker and J. Ax, on Canale 5, and solo singer in the Rosso Alice program “Imparare cantando”, with Beppe Vessicchio and Gabriella Scalise; she is also a dancer for “Domenica in Onda” with Lorella Cuccarini.

In theater she is on stage all over Italy with various shows: solo singer in “Le Cirque du Cirill” with Gabriele Cirilli, Wednesday in “The Addams Family” (directed by C. Insegno), Cristina in “Sanremo Musical” (directed by I Biffi), Elise in “Georgie” (directed by B. Platania) and lead in “Heathers” (directed by B. Platania and M. Sindici); she is also on stage with “L’ultima strega” (directed by A. Palotto), “Se il tempo fosse un gambero” (directed by S. Marconi), “Wojtyla Generation Love Rock Musical (directed by R. Avallone),”Raffaello e la leggenda della Fornarina”(directed by M. Sindici).

She is a backup singer for Alex Britti on the MTV Unplugged tour, for Fiorella Mannoia on the album “A te” – tribute to Lucio Dalla, for Renato Zero in “Amici di Maria de Filippi” and for Annalisa Minetti; she is also the choir director for the Oscars of the Italian musical (directed by Marco Simeoli and with the music by Maestro D. Scuderi).

She recently released the album “Bam bam bam”, available on digital stores.

Aznavour’s tailors – vol. 2

August 26, 2020June 5, 2020 by Michelangelo Nari

Good morning, my friends!

Here in Rome the production of the album continues nonstop; the clothes created for these songs are really beautiful and elegant, I hope they will please you in the same way that they thrill me!

Today I present to you the other two “costume designers”, who have been able to give a refined and particular touch to the 10 tracks on the CD with their skill: Stefano Alagi (bass) and Valerio De Negri (sax, clarinet, flute).

Stefano Alagi was born in Rome, where he started playing at the age of 11 and studied at the Morlacchi Conservatory in Perugia. He played with a quartet led by Giampaolo Ascolese and collaborated with numerous artists, including Stefano Senesi (pianist with Renato Zero and Francesco De Gregori). He had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Phil Palmer and the Irakere (Cuba). He played on the CD “Curvatura 9” by Carlo Pasceri and collaborated as a sound engineer for Stef Burns (guitarist with Vasco Rossi). He also composed, arranged and recorded the CD “Stakes” in his studio. He is currently part of the “Airport passengers” group with which he is recording their second album. He collaborates as bass player and sound engineer on the CD “Destinations” of Carlo Molinari. In September 2017 he founded the musical association AlagiSound (recording studio and rehearsal room), where he works as a sound engineer and electric bass teacher.

Valerio De Negri was born in Civitavecchia and since he was a child he has been studying the Clarinet graduating in 1997 at the Conservatory of Latina. In 2000 he joined the Navy Musical Band, with which he performed in numerous concerts in Italy and abroad. His artistic and professional growth passes through the studies of Composition at the Conservatory of S. Cecilia in Rome (Lower Complement), a long choral experience, both as a chorister and director, and an intense theatrical activity (stage and musical) both as an actor / performer and as a director; recently he approached the study of the saxophone and transverse flute, instruments with which he delves into repertories such as swing with “TheBigBandTheory”, popular repertoires from Campania with “Taranterrae” and traditional Neapolitan pieces with “Song ‘e Napule” (led by actor, voice actor and director Vincenzo Avolio). At the same time, he carries out a fruitful professional collaboration with the “City of Rome” Symphony Orchestra and with the “Virtuosi di Roma” Orchestra.

Aznavour’s tailors – vol. 1

August 26, 2020May 29, 2020 by Michelangelo Nari

A musical project like “Vous permettez, Aznavour?” would not have been possible without the collaboration of many other splendid professionals who have accepted to contribute with their talent and passion.

In this post and in the next one I will introduce you to the fantastic musicians who “dressed” the songs on the CD and who will also accompany me in the live concert (which, may I remind you, is modular according to the context and specific needs of the venue). Today it is Mauro Scardini’s (piano) and Stefano Marazzi’s (drums) turn.

Mauro Scardini was born in Tivoli and started playing the piano from an early age, with his father, also a pianist, as his first teacher. He founded the Electric City with Massimiliano Cignitti, publishing his first self-titled CD in 1999, containing his own songs, and in 2002 he published a second album with the participation of Gegè Telesforo, Daniele Scannapieco and Pietro Ciancaglini. In 2019 he took part in the “One” album by Mike della Bella Project, that boasts productions in Japan and Sweden. He currently collaborates with Pierdavide Carone, Pino Insegno, Roberto Ciufoli, Andrea Perroni, Stefano Masciarelli, Federico Perrotta, Valentina Olla and carries out an intense live activity in national clubs and theaters.

Stefano Marazzi, professional drummer, has been working for years in the world of entertainment, starring in tours, television broadcasts, musicals and shows of various kinds with some of the most important artists of the Italian and international music scene. Among his collaborations: Anastacia, Pino Daniele, Malika Ayane, Fiordaliso, Lodovica Comello, Serena Autieri and many others.

Happy birthday, Aznavour!

August 26, 2020May 22, 2020 by Michelangelo Nari

It is the 22nd of May 1924 and in Paris we witness the birth, from a couple of Armenian immigrants, of he who would become one of the most famous and appreciated French songwriters of the twentieth century. A chansonnier, an interpreter, a source of inspiration for many singers in the decades to come… and, in my own small way, for me as well.

That is why I decided to “give birth” to this website on this very day; a space dedicated to me but above all to my project on Charles Aznavour: a self-produced CD containing the covers of his most beautiful songs and a theatrical concert, in which I will try to share the emotions of his stories.

In the upcoming weeks I will tell you about all of this, introducing the various pieces of this puzzle and tell you all the news … for now, focus on two more important dates:

On July 18th through the website you will be able to book the CD I am completing (consider it a birthday present!)
On October 1st, on the anniversary of Aznavour’s death, I will announce the first official date for the concert (location and details yet to be defined)

Thanks to all who collaborated with me in the realization of all of this… and thanks to you for browsing these pages, they mean so much to me!