Italian music legend Ornella Vanoni (91) dies of cardiac arrest
What's the story
Renowned Italian singer and songwriter, Ornella Vanoni, passed away at her home in Milan on Friday, November 21. She was 91. Local outlets Corriere della Sera and AGI reported cardiac arrest as the cause of her death. Born on September 22, 1934, in Milan to a wealthy family, Vanoni's early education took her to Switzerland, Britain, and France, where she became fluent in several languages.
Career transition
Vanoni's journey from theater to music
Vanoni initially trained as an actor under director Giorgio Strehler at the Piccolo Teatro, performing Brecht and other major playwrights' works. Her career took a turn toward music in the late 1950s with folk songs inspired by Milan's darker stories. This earned her the nickname "Cantante della mal (underworld singer)." She gained national recognition in 1961 with Senza fine, which became one of her signature songs.
Global recognition
'Ocean's Twelve' catapulted Vanoni to global fame
In 1970, Vanoni released L'appuntamento, a cover of the Brazilian song Sentado à beira do caminho by Erasmo Carlos and Roberto Carlos. The song later gained international fame when it was featured in Steven Soderbergh's 2004 Hollywood film Ocean's Twelve, introducing her to a new global audience. Her career, spanning over seven decades, saw her sell more than 55 million records and release around 40 studio albums, leaving an indelible mark on Italian music and popular culture.
Personal insights
Vanoni's personal life and final wishes
Vanoni married Lucio Ardenzi in 1960 and had a son, Cristiano, in 1962. However, the couple split in 1972. In her later years, she remained active in the arts scene, collaborating with younger Italian artists. She had earlier said on the television show Che Tempo Che Fa, "[My] coffin should be cheap because I want to be cremated. Then throw me in the sea, maybe in Venice." May her soul rest in peace.