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Romina Arena
Romina Arena, The Queen of Popera, jpeg
Background information
Born (1980-05-12) May 12, 1980 (age 44)
OriginPalermo, Sicily
GenresPop classical crossover, operatic pop
Occupation(s)Singer, composer, writer
Years active1984–present
LabelsDesign House/Toshiba-EMI, CP Productions/BMG, PC Music, Outback Records, NMG Records, Perseverance Records, Lakeshore Records
Websitewww.rominaarena.com

Romina Arena (born May 12, 1980) is an Italian-American popera, operatic pop, pop classical crossover, rock opera and new-age singer-songwriter.

Life and career

Romina Arena born and raised in Sicily, of a Sicilian mother Rita and a Roman father Renato. By the age of four, Arena became a Mouseketeer for Topolino, the Italian version of Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club. She also performed as a classical ballerina in the major Italian Theatres at the age of seven.[1] Performing with other children from different parts of Europe. Arena developed a knowledge of 10 languages, including Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Japanese, Greek, Bulgarian and Hebrew.[2][3][4] Arena calls herself "the voice of women with a broken heart" but is also referred to as "the voice of women who never give up"[5] When Arena was a teenager after leaving Disney behind and starting a solo career, she was attacked at the backstage of a prime time television show in Sicily and her attacker severed her vocal cords with a pocket knife, leaving her comatose. Her physicians told her she would never sing again. However, she completely recovered over a three-year period. She fully regained her vocal abilities; a side effect of the attack was that she developed a five-octave vocal range as a result of the trauma to her pharynx.[6]

After Arena’s father Renato died, she left Italy for the US with her mother. There she came under the wing of Sal Pacino and his wife Katherin Pacino, the father and stepmother of the actor Al Pacino. She resides in Los Angeles, California[2]

In 2000, Arena signed a production deal with music producer Bob Johnston to produce a full 12 song studio album.[citation needed] The album was never released. In 2001, Arena covered the Japanese classic song, "Subaru", originally written and recorded by Shinji Tanimura.[citation needed] In 2003, Microsoft used her first Rock Opera single "Satellite" (Recorded in English and Italian) as the theme song for the video game Project Gotham Racing 2.[citation needed] According to her interviews and press releases, Arena has had several number-one hits in Italy, Germany, Australia and Japan, selling over 4 million records worldwide over the life time of her career.[7]

Arena developed a style that is a blend of operatic pop, rock and classical crossover.[2] In 2012, she released the album Morricone.Uncovered in which she performs film music by Ennio Morricone to which she had set her own lyrics.[5] According to the Malibu Times, Morricone said "I decided to work with her because of her hard work and incredible successes achieved. But most importantly, I consider her the most dominant voice I have heard in my life. I do not allow just any artist to write lyrics to my movie scores. But for her I make the exception."[6]

In 2015, Arena signed to Lakeshore Records for a studio album to coincide with her book Where Did They Film That Italy. The album titled Where Did They Film That Italy – The Music Journey was released June 2016 as a companion to the travel guide and features Arena performing award-winning songs from movies filmed exclusively in Italy.[8]

Arena has appeared in a concert with Alessandro Safina in Las Vegas.[9] According to her interviews and press releases, she has also appeared with Andrea Bocelli, Lou Rawls, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, Bill Conti, Al Martino, Gladys Knight, The Platters, Eliot Sloan from Blessid Union of Souls, Eric Rigler[6] According to one press release, she also headlined on the Celine Dion stage at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.[10]

Discography

  • 1984 to 1993 – From the age of 4 to 13 years old Arena was signed to Disney Italy's Mickey Mouse club and the companies "Prima Ribalta", "Shasa Digital Sound" and released three compilations and singles – Italy
  • 1994 "Una Vita Senza Vita" from San Remo Nuovi Talenti (New Talent) Festival Compilation – Italy (appeared as Romina Notarbartolo)
  • 1994 "You're The Only One" Peter Ciani Music – Australia (Single)
  • 1994: “Smile” released by Danilo Sulis Recordings – Sicily, Italy (Single)
  • 1994 "As Beautiful as You" CP Productions/BMG – Germany
  • 1995 "As Beautiful as You" CP Productions/BMG – Australia
  • 1998: “Fateci Santi” for The Vatican & Pope John Paul the second, produced & released by Beppe CAntarelli – compilation album
  • 2000 "Unreleased Album Project" produced by Bob Johnston – US
  • 2001 "Subaru" Design House/Toshiba-EMI – Japan
  • 2003 "Romina Arena" for Miller's Gin – Miller Spirits – US & UK (Premium)
  • 2003 "Satellite" Soundtrack from Xbox Video Game Project Gotham Racing 2, Microsoft Game Studios – US/Italy/International
  • 2004 "Romina Arena" American Entertainment Records– US
  • 2006 You're Gonna Hear from Me Outback Records – US
  • 2006 "Cuerpo Sin Alma" (Spanish) Outback Records – US
  • 2008 "Believe" NMG Records (Single)
  • 2009 "A Joyful Christmas" NMG Records
  • 2010 "Romanza" (The Love Collection, Limited Edition) – NMG Records
  • 2010 "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" NMG/Macs Records – Italy/US
  • 2011 "A Mother's Prayer" NMG Records (Single)
  • 2011 "Arthur's Theme" (The Best That You Can Do) NMG Records (Single)
  • 2011 "Life" released September 6, 2011 – NMG Records
  • 2012 "Morricone.Uncovered" released September 18, 2012 Perseverance Records
  • 2012 "Un Sogno Che Sognai" "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables released December 4, 2012 Perseverance Records (Single)
  • 2013 "Romanza" (The Love Collection, Limited Edition) Re-release with new bonus tracks January 8, 2013 – NMG Records
  • 2013 "Subaru" “スバル" ” Romina Sings Japanese" released January 8, 2013 – NMG Records
  • 2013 "I Want Love" from the album "The Best of Silent Hill" released October 29 – Perseverance Records
  • 2014 "Corazon Italiano" released June, NMG Records (Single)
  • 2014 "Annie’s Song" released November 4, PoperaStar Records (Single)
  • 2015 “A Mother’s Heart” April 28, PoperaStar Records
  • 2016 “Where Did They Film That Italy – The Music Journey” based on the book from the same title – Lakeshore Records released June 24

Books

Awards

In 2010, Arena received several awards. She was one of the seven recipients of the Tricolor Globe Award from the organization Italian Women in the World,[12] one of the five recipients of the CSNA Award (Confederation of the Sicilians in North America) for promoting Sicilian culture worldwide,[13] and one of several recipients of the Golden Orb award for her philanthropic contributions to the Arts Olympus project in Long Beach, California.[14]

In 2012, Arena was one of the 20 recipients of the Premio Sicilla for being an "Ambassador of bel canto in the world".[15]

Charity work

Arena has worked with several non-profit organizations by entertaining at fundraising events, including the American Red Cross[16] The Arts Olympus,[14] and Every Woman,[17]

References

  1. ^ D'Agnese, Generoso (April 2013). "Arena, una voce per Morricone". Il Messaggero di Sant'Antonio
  2. ^ a b c ALO Magazine (Fall 2013/Winter 2014). "Romina Arena, The New Italian Voice"
  3. ^ D'Alessandro, F. Anthony (1 August 2012). A Chat with Romina Arena", Times of Sicily Blog.
  4. ^ Giornale Di Sicilia (29 January 2012). "Romina Arena, la siciliana che ha conquistato l'America".
  5. ^ a b Pugliese, Roberto (12 February 2013). "Recensione: Morricone Uncovered. ColonneSonore.net
  6. ^ a b c Malibu Times (26 September 2012). "A long road realized"
  7. ^ Azambuja, Léo (8 February 2008). "Mambo Italiano Famous Italian singer visits Molokai". Molokai Dispatch
  8. ^ Talent Monthly (June 10, 2016). Media Alert: Where Did They Film That?: Italy
  9. ^ Fink, Jerry (2008). "Top 'popera' names in Vegas lights". Las Vegas Sun
  10. ^ Shoot Publicity Wire (19 December 2012). "Romina Arena Gives Voice To The Music Of Ennio Morricone in 'Morricone Uncovered'"
  11. ^ OCLC 931295588
  12. ^ Il Resto del Carlino (5 July 2010). "Sette 'Oscar' in rosa A Bologna premio alle eccellenze al femminile"
  13. ^ Corriere del Mezzogiorno (11 November 2010). "La storia della Targa Florio a Miami Premiati cinque siculo-americani". Retrieved 3 July 2016 Template:It.
  14. ^ a b Van Dyke, Jonathan (1 June 2010). "New Art Initiative On Queen". Long Beach Gazette. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
  15. ^ Ragusa Oggi (1 February 2012). Premio Sicilia 2012 - XIX Edizione
  16. ^ Magruder, Melonie (11 April 2011). "Santa Monica Red Cross puts on Black - Make that Red - Tie Affair". The Lookout
  17. ^ Every Woman (October 2010). "Romina Arena Dinner Tickets Registration (archived from the original)
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