Mia Martini

Mia Martini
Mia Martini in Venice in 1973, holding the Gondola d'Oro prize won with her song "Donna Sola"
Background information
Birth name	Domenica Rita Adriana Bertè
Also known as	Mimì Bertè
Born	(1947-09-20)20 September 1947 Bagnara Calabra, Reggio Calabria, Italy
Died	12 May 1995(1995-05-12) (aged 47) Cardano al Campo, Varese, Italy
Genres	Pop, blues, jazz, Pop rock, Canzone Napoletana, Folk music
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, musician
Years active	1963–1995

Mia Martini (Italian pronunciation: [ˈmiːa marˈtiːni]; born Domenica Rita Adriana Bertè [doˈmeːnika berˈtɛ]; 20 September 1947 – 12 May 1995) was an Italian singer, songwriter and musician.^[1][2]

She is considered, by many experts, one of the most beautiful and expressive female voices of Italian music ever,^[3][4] characterised by her interpretative intensity and her soulful performance.

Her debut album, Oltre la collina with the hit song Padre davvero is regarded as one of the best Italian albums ever made^[5]. Hit songs like Piccolo uomo, Donna sola, Minuetto, Inno, Al mondo, Che vuoi che sia se t'ho aspettato tanto, Per amarti and La costruzione di un amore made her one of the most important artists of Italian music in the 1970s, a decade in which she reached great popularity both nationally and internationally. She is the only female artist to have won two Festivalbar consecutively, respectively in 1972 and in 1973 ^[6][7][8]

In 1977, two important encounters occurred in Mia Martini's life: the first one is with Charles Aznavour, a friendship which will develop in a musical collaboration; the second encounter is with Genoese singer-songwriter Ivano Fossati, with whom she will start an artistic and sentimental partnership.

She returned to the music scenes in 1981, after she underwent two surgeries at her vocal cords that changed her vocal timbre and extension.

In 1982, she sang E non finisce mica il cielo, written by Fossati, at Sanremo Music Festival, where she received the Critics Award, which was created specifically for her intense interpretation and which was named after her as Critics Awards "Mia Martini" from 1996, the year after her death.

In 1983, she was forced to leave the music system and quit her career, by the music sector and by her colleagues, who considered her a person bringing bad luck and barred her to participate at any music events and concerts. This slander kept her away from the music scene for seven years and only in 1989, she was able to reprise her career, when she returned to perform at Sanremo Music Festival, singing Almeno tu nell'universo, which brought her back to a new success.

In the following years, Mia Martini had new hits like Gli uomini non cambiano, La nevicata del '56 and Cu'mme, the last one with Roberto Murolo. She represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest twice, in 1977 with the song Libera and in 1992 with the song Rapsodia.

She died on 12 May 1995 at her apartment in Cardano al Campo at the age of 47, in circumstances never fully clarified.

Biography[]

Early life[]

Domenica Rita Adriana Bertè was born in Bagnara Calabra, (Reggio Calabria), in southern Italy, on 20 September 1947, the second of four daughters: the oldest, Leda (born in 1946), Loredana (born in 1950) and the youngest Olivia (born in 1958)^[9]. Mia Martini's father, Giuseppe Radames Bertè (1921-2017), was a teacher of Latin and Greek. He was born in Villa San Giovanni, he moved to Marche with his family, first working as a professor and later becoming High School headmaster in Ancona. Mia Martini's mother, Maria Salvina Dato (1925-2003), born in Bagnara Calabra, was an elementary school teacher.

"Mimì" (Mia Martini's nickname) spent her childhood in Porto Recanati, in Marche region, where she showed early an interest in music. She began to perform at parties and dance halls, and after having performed as entertainer singer, and having entered some song contests for new voices, in 1962 she convinced her mother to bring her to Milan, to look for an audition, with the hope to get a record deal.

The beginnings as Mimì Bertè[]

1964, Mimì Bertè at Bellaria Festival

The only one willing to put her to the test was the author and music producer Carlo Alberto Rossi, who decides to launch her as a yé-yé girl, following the musical fashion of the moment. With the song "Ombrello blu", she participates at the Pesaro Festival. In 1963, the 16-year-old Mimì Bertè recorded her first record.

In May 1964, she wins the Bellaria Festival, with the song Come puoi farlo tu^[10], but it is with the song Il magone that she reaches some media exposure and also with the song Ed ora che abbiamo litigato, performed in 1965 at the variety show Teatro 10.

The numerous auditions made by Mimì Bertè in that period, in anticipation of an album, however, remained unreleased for almost thirty years: Carlo Alberto Rossi, hoping for her musical growth, pushes her to sign with a bigger record label, Durium, which in 1966 publishes her record Non sarà tardi / Quattro settimane, without, however, enjoying any success.

What probably didn't work to launch the young singer career was the light-hearted image in which she seemed to be relegated, opposite to the musical style of blues artists like Etta James and Aretha Franklin that inspired the young Mimì Bertè. After her parents split, she moves to Rome with her mother and sisters, where she tries to emerge again by forming a trio together with her sister Loredana and her friend Renato Fiacchini (known as Renato Zero), also earning a living with a modest job at the union of singers and songwriters.

In 1969, she served four months in prison in Tempio Pausania for having been discovered in possession of a marijuana cigarette during an evening in a well-known nightclub in Sardinia, a crime that at the time did not make any distinction from the possession of hard drugs, and therefore strictly prosecutable. Later the singer was acquitted completely, but the experience in prison (during which she also attempted suicide), will mark her for the rest of her life.

Consequently, the publication of her record Coriandoli spenti/L'argomento dell'amore was blocked and the album, recorded a few months earlier for Esse Records, was destined to remain unreleased for over thirty years (today it is one of the rarest records ever in Italy)^[11].

Mia Martini (left) with sister Loredana Bertè

In 1970, she participates as a chorister, with her sister Loredana and alongside the musical group ″Cantori Moderni di Alessandroni″, to the album Per un pugno di samba, recorded during his stay in Rome by Chico Buarque de Hollanda, whom the singer will always be a great admirer. In the same year, the pianist Toto Torquati convinced Mimì to perform live, playing for her in a repertoire more appropriate to her voice.

1970s[]

Success as Mia Martini[]

To prove decisive is the meeting with lawyer and music producer Alberigo Crocetta, and also founder of the famous Piper Club, where many famous artists used to perform. Crocetta in fact decides to launch Mimì Bertè, thinking also about the international music market and therefore creating her stage name "Mia Martini": Mia like Mia Farrow (her favourite actress) and Martini, chosen among three of the most famous Italian words abroad (spaghetti, pizza and Martini). Her look becomes more gypsy, characterised by numerous rings and her peculiar bowler hat.

In 1971, the record company RCA Italiana releases Padre davvero, the first song released as Mia Martini and recorded with the band La Macchina. The lyrics by Antonello De Sanctis deals with a generational conflict between a father and a daughter, and is it immediately judged "irreverent" by the radio and television censorship. But the interpretation, absolutely innovative, still arouses a lot of interest, so much so as to obtain the victory at Festival di Musica d'Avanguardia e Nuove Tendenze in Viareggio. Another song of the album is Amore.. amore.. un corno, a track written by a young Claudio Baglioni and Antonio Coggio. Baglioni wrote also Gesù è mio fratello and Lacrime di marzo for Mia Martini's LP record Oltre la collina.

"The important thing is to put memories behind you. I did it with a record, titled Oltre la collina in which I practically put all of myself, all my past. In the song "Padre davvero" there is also my father, who left home one day, twenty years ago, and whom we have not seen since then. I accidentally learned that he lives in Milan and teaches in a high school. There is also my experience with the hippies in Ibiza, Spain and Kathmandu, Nepal, in the East. An adventurous, unpredictable, especially painful life."

Mia Martini (left), Little Tony (center), Vena Veroutis (right) and the band Tin-Tin, in the variety show Stasera Little Tony (January 1972)

The album, the singer's first, released in November 1971, is considered one of the best works ever made by an Italian female artist, as well as one of the best work of author discography^[12]. Oltre la collina is also one of the first examples of Italian concept album, in which the common thread is young despair and loneliness: the LP album addresses, in fact, issues such as religion, illness and suicide^[12]. Mia Martini also catches the attention of Lucio Battisti, who expresses his admiration for her unusual vocalism and asks her to be in his TV special Tutti insieme, in which Mia sings live Padre davvero, in its censored version^[12].

In 1971, Mia Martini was expected to perform at the TV show Canzonissima with the song Cosa c'è di strano, but the song was released only in the summer of 1973 in a compilation always by RCA Italiana, which, however, was immediately withdrawn from the market to prevent the Ricordi (new record company of the singer since February 1972) reported the label for breach of contract.

In 1972, the label company RCA tries to get Mia Martini to perform at Sanremo Music Festival with the song Credo, however she is not selected for the competition: her album will be released anyway, but in very few copies.

Career[]

Mia Martini in 1973

Mia Martini in 1973

Mia Martini in 1975

She recorded her first records as Mimì Bertè, but soon decided to change her name to Mia Martini. She represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest twice: in 1977 with "Libera" (13th out of 18), and in 1992 with "Rapsodia" (4th out of 23). That same year she recorded "Per amarti", written by Bruno Lauzi and Maurizio Fabrizio. She won the World Popular Song Festival Yamaha in Tokyo with "Ritratto di donna" who comes to the first positions in the Japanese charts. In 1982 she participated at the Sanremo Festival. In late 1983, she decided to retire.

In 1989 she returned to the Sanremo Festival with "Almeno tu nell'universo", which won her the Critics Award and new success. The song remains an Italian classic (with many cover versions).

In 1992, she was back in the race at the Sanremo Festival with "Gli uomini non cambiano", by Giancarlo Bigazzi and Beppe Dati.^[2] She won second place, allowing her to represent Italy at Eurovision again, which that year was held in Sweden, where she closed with in fourth place with "Rapsodia".

Death[]

Prior to her death, Mia Martini suffered from painful fibroids, for which she took prescription medication. Mia Martini died on 12 May 1995, but her body was found at her apartment in Cardano al Campo, only two days later. According to the coroner's report, her death was by cardiac arrest (in her body traces of cocaine were found). Her body was cremated.^[13]

Biopic[]

In 2019, a biopic of Martini titled Io sono Mia was released.^[14] The film was directed by Riccardo Donna and stars Serena Rossi as Mia Martini. The film narrates the life of Mia Martini, including her artistic career, her personal life, her sister Loredana, her tumultuous relationships with her parents and the discrimination she endured by the music system and her colleagues.^[15]

Awards[]

• 1964: Winner of "Festival di Bellaria" with Il magone
• 1971: Winner "Festival di Musica d'Avanguardia e Nuove Tendenze" Viareggio with Padre davvero
• 1972: Discography award "Premio della critica discografica" for album Nel mondo, una cosa
• 1972: Winner Festivalbar 1972 with Piccolo uomo
• 1972: Gold Record Piccolo uomo
• 1972: Winner Mostra Internazionale di Musica Leggera in Venezia with Donna sola
• 1973: Winner Festivalbar 1973 with Minuetto
• 1973: Gold Record for Minuetto
• 1974: Gold record for over 1 million sales
• 1975: Critics Award "Premio della Critica di Palma de Mallorca" with Nevicate
• 1975: "Premio de Il canzoniere dell'estate" as best singer of the year
• 1975: Telegatto as best female singer of the year
• 1977: Winner of the "World Song Popular Festival Yamaha in Tokyo" with Ritratto di donna
• 1982: Critics Award at Sanremo Music Festival with E non finisce mica il cielo
• 1989: Targa Tenco as best performing artist
• 1989: Critics Award at Sanremo Music Festival with Almeno tu nell'universo
• 1989: Telegatto as best female singer of the year
• 1989: Gold Record for Martini Mia...
• 1990: Critics Award at Sanremo Music Festival with La nevicata del '56
• 1992: Second Place at Sanremo Music Festival
• 1992: Gold Record for Lacrime

Discography[]

As Mimì Bertè[]

Singles[]

• "I miei baci non puoi scordare" / "Lontani dal resto del mondo" (1963)
• "Insieme" / "Let me tell you" (1963)
• "Il magone" / "Se mi gira l'elica" (1964)^[2]
• "Ed ora che abbiamo litigato" / "Non pentirti dopo" (1964)
• "Non sarà tardi" / "Quattro settimane" (1966)
• "Coriandoli spenti" / "L'argomento dell'amore" (1969; Withdrawn single, released in 2000 as part of compilation "Mia...Mimì")

As Mia Martini[]

Singles[]

• "Padre davvero..." / "Amore...amore...un corno!" (1971)
• "Gesù è mio fratello" / "Lacrime di marzo" (1971)
• "Credo" / "Ossessioni" (1972)
• "Piccolo uomo" / "Madre" (1972)
• "Donna sola" / "Questo amore vero" (1972)
• "Minuetto" / "Tu sei così" (1973)
• "Il guerriero" / "Bolero" (1973, release cancelled)
• "Inno" / "...e stelle stan piovendo" (1974)
• "Al mondo" / "Principessa di turno" (1975)
• "Donna con te" / "Tutti uguali" (1975)
• "L'amore è il mio orizzonte" / "Sabato" (1976)
• "Che vuoi che sia...se t'ho aspettato tanto" / "Io donna, io persona" (1976)
• "Libera" / "Sognare è vita" (1977)
• "Per amarti" / "Se finisse qui" (1977)
• "Vola" / "Dimmi" (1978)
• "Danza" / "Canto alla luna" (1979)
• "Ti regalo un sorriso" / "Ancora grande" (1981)
• "E ancora canto" / "Stai con me" (1981)
• "E non finisce mica il cielo" / "Voglio te" (1982)
• "Quante volte" / "Solo noi" (1982, two editions)
• "Bambolina" / "Guarirò guarirò" (1982)
• "Spaccami il cuore" / "Lucy" (1985)
• "Almeno tu nell'universo" / "Spegni la testa" (1989)
• "La nevicata del '56" / "Danza pagana" (1990)
• "Chica chica bum (remix)" / "Chica chica bum (instrumental)" (1990, release cancelled)
• "Stiamo come stiamo" (with Loredana Bertè) / "Dormitorio pubblico" (L.Bertè) (1993)

Albums[]

• Oltre la collina (1971)
• Nel mondo, una cosa (1972)
• Il giorno dopo (1973)
• È proprio come vivere (1974)
• Sensi e controsensi (1975)
• Un altro giorno con me (1975)
• Che vuoi che sia... se t'ho aspettato tanto (1976)
• Per amarti (1977)
• Danza (1978)
• Mimì (1981)
• Quante volte... ho contato le stelle (1982)
• Miei compagni di viaggio (1983)
• Martini Mia (1989)
• La mia razza (1990)
• Mi basta solo che sia un amore (1991)
• Mia Martini in concerto (da un'idea di Maurizio Giammarco) (1991)
• Lacrime (1992)
• Rapsodia Il meglio di Mia Martini (1992)
• La musica che mi gira intorno (1994)

Compilations[]

• Mia (1976)
• Il meglio di Mia Martini (1984)
• Ti regalo un sorriso (1985)
• Mia Martini 1996 (1996)
• Mia Martini – Le origini (1996)
• Mimì Bertè (1996, including previously unreleased tracks)
• Indimenticabile Mia (1996, including previously unreleased tracks)
• Mi canto español (1997, including previously unreleased tracks)
• Gli anni '70 (1998)
• Semplicemente Mimì (1998, including previously unreleased tracks)
• Sorelle (1999, including previously unreleased tracks)
• I Miti Musica – Mia Martini (1999)
• Mia... Mimì (2000, including previously unreleased tracks)
• Mimì Sarà (2000, including previously unreleased tracks)
• Dolce amare (2000)
• Canzoni segrete (2003, including previously unreleased tracks and alternate versions)
• Per sempre (2003)
• E parlo ancora di te (2004, including previously unreleased tracks and alternate versions)
• La neve, il cielo, l'immenso (3-CD box set, 2005; including previously unreleased tracks, alternative versions and songs previously unavailable on CD)
• Liberamente Mia (2007)

DVD[]

• In Concerto (in concert 1982, recorded for Italian language Swiss television; also released on VHS)
• E ancora canto
• Per aspera ad astra (also released on VHS)

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mia Martini.

• Mia Martini at IMDb