Gianmaria Testa was an Italian singer-songwriter, born in the province of Cuneo in 1958. One of the most significant figures in Italian canzone d’autore (art song), after winning the Recanati Festival two years in a row (1993–1994), he met producer Nicole Courtois, who recognized his talent and produced his first album, Montgolfières (1995). The success was immediate, leading him to perform at the prestigious Olympia in Paris, as well as on many other stages across Europe and abroad.
His music—deeply rooted in popular tradition yet refined—won over a wide audience. Over the course of his career, he collaborated with internationally renowned musicians, including Enrico Rava, Banda Osiris, Stefano Bollani, and Paolo Fresu. His creativity extended beyond music: among other projects, he brought theatrical performances to the stage in collaboration with writer Erri De Luca and actor Giuseppe Battiston.
In 2006, he released Da questa parte del mare (On This Side of the Sea), a concept album dedicated to the theme of immigration, which earned him the prestigious Targa Tenco award for Best Album of the Year. His discography includes a total of seven studio albums, two live recordings, and a posthumous album, Prezioso, released in 2019.
Gianmaria passed away in 2016, but his music—with its simplicity and depth—continues to move and inspire.
