Antonella Ruggiero, a talented Italian singer, was born on November 15, 1952, in the picturesque city of Genoa, nestled in the picturesque region of Liguria. Her illustrious music career commenced with her debut recording, "Io Matia", in the year 1974, when she adopted the stage name Matia. Throughout her impressive discography, she has had the privilege of collaborating with numerous renowned artists, including the esteemed Jet, with whom she contributed her powerful vocals to their iconic LP vinyl record, "Faith, Hope and Charity", lending her remarkable voice to the soaring choruses that have become an integral part of music history.
Ruggiero, a renowned vocalist, is uniquely distinguished by her classification as a light soprano, characterized by an extraordinary voice that boasts an extraordinary range, spanning an impressive four octaves or more, thanks to her exceptional expertise in the whistle register.
In 1975, Ruggiero embarked on a new venture, co-founding the historical group Matia Bazar alongside Piero Cassano, Aldo Stellita, Giancarlo Golzi, and Carlo Marrale. This innovative ensemble would go on to produce a plethora of pop hits that continue to captivate audiences to this day.
Some of the most notable and enduring hits from Matia Bazar's extensive discography include the iconic songs "Ma perché", "Solo tu", "Per un'ora d’amore", "Stasera che sera", "Cavallo bianco", "Il video sono io", "Mister Mandarino", "Souvenir", "Ti Sento", and "Vacanze romane", each one a testament to the group's creative genius and Ruggiero's remarkable vocal talents.
There was a notable song, specifically "Ti Sento", which achieved unparalleled success, culminating in its ascension to the top spot on the charts in both Belgium and Italy. This very same song served as the representative of Matia Bazar at the esteemed Eurovision Song Contest in the year 1979, where the group ultimately finished fifteenth, garnering a total of 27 points. Following this milestone, Ruggiero persisted in touring with Matia Bazar until her collaboration with the group came to a close in the year 1989.
Seven years subsequent to her initial foray into the music industry, in the year 1996, a solo debut album titled Libera was released by the artist, following a transformative journey that exposed her to novel cultural and musical settings. This album marked a significant milestone in her career, as she had undergone a profound evolution as an artist.
In the following year, 1998, the artist participated in the prestigious Sanremo Festival, where she secured a second-place finish with the song "Amore lontanissimo". This achievement was further recognized by the critics, who awarded her the prize for best arrangement for this particular track.
A year later, in 1999, the artist took to the stage of the esteemed Ariston Theater, where she performed the poignant song "Non ti dimentico (Se non ci fossero le nuvole)". This heartfelt tribute was dedicated to her late friend and former stage companion, Aldo Stellita, whose passing had left a profound impact on her life. Despite the emotional weight of the performance, the artist still managed to secure a second-place finish, a testament to her enduring talent and dedication to her craft.
