Italian chanson and pop music singer, Maria Ilva Biolcati, known as Milva passed away Friday aged 81 at her home in Milan, Italy.
The later singer was often referred to as "La Rossa," which means "redhead" in Italian, for the color of her fiery red locks.
Milva's career spanned decades and was considered a musical treasure in her home country. The late singer's fame was not limited to Italy. She released several foreign language songs such as English, German, French, Spanish, Greek, Portuguese, and Japanese, which contributed to her success around the world.
The singer had an especially large fan base in Germany and was known for performing the song "Hurra, Wir Leben Noch" (Hurray, we're still alive).
Milva presented many collaborated with famed musicians and composers such as Mikis Theodorakis, Ennio Morricone, Astor Piazzolla, and Franco Battiato, with whom she recorded an album.
The singer was born on July 17, 1939, to a dressmaker and a fisherman in Goro comune in Italy. She worked as a child to support her family, who experienced economic hardship, and eventually moved to Bologna and entered a singing competition, and after receiving vocal and acting lessons, she launched her career.
For over 50 years, Milva worked tirelessly, recording 173 albums, went on tours, and performed on the stages of theaters and concert halls around the world.
She gave birth to her daughter Martina in 1963, who often had to go without her famous mother.
Milva was known for her rendition of the role of Pirate Jenny in Brecht's "Threepenny Opera", which landed her a place as an icon in the world of musical theater. She also dabbled in acting and landed a supporting role in the 1987 movie "Cielo Sopra Berlino" (The Wings of Desire).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP7JK7603js
The singer was open about her political views and charmed the world with her political chansons, which included the famous hymn "Bella Ciao".
In 2010, Milva bid farewell to her fans in a letter posted on social media citing that she was no longer able to continue her career in the best way possible.
"I did my job gracefully and probably well," she wrote.
Milva is survived by her daughter Martina.
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