Famous Italian Singers

Widely regarded as an opera singer with the most beautiful voice, Andrea Bocelli is an Italian record producer and singer-songwriter. He serves as an inspiration to many as he went on to become one of the most popular Italian singers of all time, despite losing his vision at age 12. He has sold more than 90 million records worldwide.

Luciano Pavarotti was an operatic tenor who went on to become one of the most loved and acclaimed tenors of all time. Nicknamed the King of the High Cs, Pavarotti is regarded as one of the best tenors of the 20th century. Also a well-known humanitarian, Luciano Pavarotti hosted annual charity concerts to raise money for various UN causes.

Italian composer and record producer Giovanni Moroder, also known as the Father of Disco, produced Take My Breath Away, the Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning track by Berlin, which was part of the Top Gun soundtrack. His scores for Flashdance and Midnight Express, too, won Academy Awards.

Enrico Caruso was an operatic tenor who performed at prominent opera houses in the Americas and Europe. His commercially released recordings made him an international star in the early-1900s. Thanks to his illustrious career that spanned 25 years, Caruso became one of the most popular entertainers of his generation. In 1987, he was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Laura Pausini is an Italian television personality and singer-songwriter. Having sold over 70 million records, Pausini is the fourth best-selling female singer in Latin music. In 2006, Pausini became the first female Italian musician to receive a Grammy Award. In 2021, her song Io sì (Seen) became the first Italian-language song to win the Golden Globe for Best Original Song.

Cecilia Bartoli is an Italian opera singer and recitalist. A coloratura mezzo-soprano, Bartoli is renowned for her interpretations of the works of popular composers like Mozart, Bellini, Handel, and Vivaldi. Also known for her versatility, Cecilia Bartoli can sing both mezzo and soprano roles. She is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including Grammy Awards.

Renata Tebaldi was an Italian lirico-spinto soprano. Regarded as one of the 20th century's greatest opera singers, Tebaldi is best remembered for her performances at popular opera houses like San Carlo, La Scala, and the Metropolitan Opera. Renata Tebaldi was the recipient of several prestigious awards, including a Grammy Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

Eros Ramazzotti ruled the Italian and Spanish pop-rock scene in the 1980s. He soared to international fame with Tutte storie and earned collaborations with artists such as Ricky Martin and Tina Turner. He once revealed the only support he got from his family was a guitar his father bought him.

Franco Corelli was an Italian tenor best remembered for his powerhouse voice, clear timbre, electrifying top notes, remarkable performances, and passionate singing. Nicknamed the prince of tenors, Franco Corelli had a long and successful association with the Metropolitan Opera where he performed between 1961 and 1975.

Once likened to pop icon Samantha Fox, Sabrina Salerno was a pop diva from the 1980s. She began her career winning a beauty contest and then became a known face on Italian TV, with shows such as Premiatissima. She later soared to fame with tracks such as Sexy Girl and Boys.

Raffaella Carra was an Italian singer, television presenter, dancer, and actress. She achieved immense popularity across Europe and Latin America during the peak of her illustrious career. An icon of women's liberation, Raffaella Carra supported the LGBT movement and was honored at the 2017 World Pride Madrid with the Gay Icon award.

Although best known as a popular rapper, singer and songwriter, Fedez is also an influential social media personality and an ardent activist, working especially for the rights of weaker section. Beginning his musical career in 2006, he now has six studio albums to his credit, four of which have peaked at No.1 position on the Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana charts.

Elettra Lamborghini began her career with TV reality shows such as Gran Hermano VIP and Super Shore. She later soared to fame with her chart-busting track Pem Pem, which was viewed over 4 million times in its debut week. Her track Tócame from Twerking Queen featured Grammy Award-winning rapper Pitbull.

Beniamino Gigli was an Italian opera singer who is counted among the best tenors of his generation. He achieved international prominence in the 1920s after the demise of Enrico Caruso; Gigli became a much sought-after singer after Caruso's death and people even referred to him as Caruso Secondo.

Mirella Freni was an Italian operatic soprano who appeared at famous international opera houses over the course of her career, which spanned 50 years. Mirella Freni achieved international fame at the popular Glyndebourne Festival, where she performed as Adina in L'elisir d'amore and as Zerlina in Don Giovanni.

Adelina Patti was an Italian opera singer who achieved immense poularity in the USA and Europe. One of the finest singers of her generation, Patti was also among the highest-paid at the peak of her career. Along with her near contemporaries Thérèse Tietjens and Jenny Lind, Adelina Patti is considered one of the most popular sopranos of all time.

Giuseppe Di Stefano was an Italian operatic tenor who was active from the mid 1940s to the early 1990s. Best remembered for his unique timbre, excellent diction, and passionate singing, Di Stefano was considered a successor of Beniamino Gigli. Over the course of his illustrious career, Giuseppe Di Stefano performed at popular opera houses, including the Royal Opera House.

Caterina Valente is an Italian-French guitarist, multilingual singer, actress, and dancer. Valente, who sings in 11 languages, has worked with artists around the world. She has worked with international stars like Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Buddy Rich, and Chet Baker. One of her songs titled Bongo cha cha cha was used in the 2019 American film Spider-Man: Far From Home.

Ezio Pinza was an Italian opera singer best remembered for his rich and sonorous voice. He is also remembered for his association with the Metropolitan Opera, where he spent 22 seasons and appeared in over 750 performances of 50 operas. Over the course of his career, Pinza also performed at the Royal Opera House, San Francisco Opera, and La Scala.

Renata Scotto is an Italian singer and opera director. Best known for her musicality and her sense of style, Scotto is regarded as one of the leading singers of her generation. She is the recipient of several awards, including the Anton Coppola Award and two Emmys. Renata Scotto has been working as a teacher since her retirement as a perfomer.

Gigliola Cinquetti is an Italian actress, singer, songwriter, and television presenter. After winning the Sanremo Music Festival at the age of 16, Cinquetti went on to represent her country in the Eurovision Song Contest 1964. She became the youngest winner when she gave Italy its first victory in the event. Cinquetti returned to the contest in 1974 and finished second. 

Ruggero Pasquarelli is an Italian actor and singer best known for his appearance in the fourth series of the popular TV talent show, X Factor. As an actor, he achieved popularity after playing Matteo Balsano in the Latin American telenovela Soy Luna, for which he received a couple of Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.

Alberto Sordi was an Italian actor, comedian, screenwriter, director, singer, composer, and voice actor. Widely regarded as an icon of Italian cinema, Sordi achieved greatness in a career that spanned 70 years! Over the course of his illustrious career, Alberto Sordi won several prestigious awards, including seven David di Donatello and a Golden Lion for lifetime achievement. 

Salvatore Adamo is a Belgian-Italian musician, composer, and singer best known for his romantic ballads. He is counted among the world's most commercially successful musicians, having sold more than 20 million singles and 80 million albums. Salvatore Adamo, who performs in multiple languages like French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, and English, is currently the highest selling Belgian musician.

Tomas Milian was a Cuban-born singer and actor best remembered for starring in European genre films. He also played important roles in non-genre films like La Luna, which earned him the Nastro d'Argento under the Best Supporting Actor category. Tomas Milian is also remembered for appearing in many Spaghetti Western films in the late-1960s and early-1970s.