Massimo Ranieri in Lugano

Massimo Ranieri is an Italian singer and actor, born in Naples in 1951, whose repertoire spans pop ballads and Neapolitan song. His signature recordings include “Rose rosse,” “Se bruciasse la città” and “Perdere l’amore,” which won the Sanremo Music Festival in 1988. He also represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1971 and 1973. In 2007, Ranieri opened the long-running theatre production Canto perché non so nuotare... da 40 anni!, presenting songs in a staged format with an orchestra and dancers. He later developed Sogno e son desto for the theatre before adapting it as a Rai television variety show, and his subsequent concert productions have included Tutti i sogni ancora in volo.