“I want my music to be an expression of my soul and for my voice to communicate deep emotions to a large audience all over the world, to all races, all religions and all nations”.
-Full Biography-
Giorgia Fumanti is an Italian soprano (operatic pop / crossover), composer, producer and arranger now living in Canada. Her music is best described to that of Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, Enya and Barbra Streisand. Her debut international EMI album “From My Heart” reached the top 20 on the Billboard Crossover Chart. Her recent achievements include her participation at the 2010 Shanghai World International Expo, Giorgia Fumanti along with Chinese baryton, Liao Chang Yong, sang the theme song Better City, Better Life and appeared many times on the most popular Chinese TV shows (Shanghai Media Group, CCTV, Beijing TV, Dragon TV and others). A regular featured artist and special guest in China and Asia, Giorgia Fumanti sang at the 2011 Chinese New Year CCTV – Internet Spring Festival Gala, as well as at the December 31, 2010 CCTV’s New Year’s Eve Gala in Beijing. She has also performed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics for CCTV, at the Closing Ceremony of the Shanghai Special Olympics, sang the National Anthem at the NHL All Star Game in Dallas, Texas and has appeared on several PBS TV Specials in the USA and Canada. Giorgia Fumanti has shared the stage with José Carreras, Lang Lang, Justin Hayward (Moody Blues), Chinese pop icons Wei Wei and Han Hong, Chinese tenors Yu Qiang Dai and Ding Yi, the 12 Girls Band from China, The Russian Red Army Choir, Italian pop stars Zucchero, Lucio Dalla and Gino Paoli, as well as famous Greek tenor Mario Frangoulis, crooner, Patrizio Buanne, Irish tenor John McDermott, Benise, The Canadian Tenors and many others. She has appeared on 3 PBS TV Specials and has performed with many great orchestras around the world.
Giorgia Fumanti, with her magnificent long dark hair highlighted by purple streaks, her sparkling bright blue eyes, her magnetic stage presence and her angelic voice that communicates directly from her heart, possesses a very special gift.
This beautiful Italian soprano is a woman of many dimensions. Giorgia Fumanti is largely inspired by the works of Vangelis, Ennio Morricone, Enya and other noted film composers. Many have erred when trying to label her music style as Classical, World or Pop. In fact, her music deftly incorporates all of these styles which result in a harmonious combination that is distinctly her own.
Born in the medieval village of Fivizzano in Tuscany, she grew up in the nearby small city of Aulla at the foot of the 13th century castle Fortezza della Brunella, where her family still resides and in Monterosso al Mare, a small town in one of Italy’s most beautiful regions, the famed Cinque Terre. “As a child, my grandmother would sing for me, to comfort me when I was sick and help me fall asleep in the evenings. I still remember how her soft voice touched me and how she inspired me to become the singer that I am today”.
Giorgia describes herself as an extremely shy child who did not start to sing until the age of 16 when she auditioned for the church choir in her home town of Aulla. It was only at this time that to the surprise of everyone she discovered that she had this special gift. The choir director noticed her vocal talents immediately and without hesitation gave her the role of soloist. After two years she joined the famous award-winning choir Il Convitto Armonico, known primarily for its ancient and medieval music in La Spezia, Italy.
Giorgia also studied law at the Universita di Parma to please her parents. Her experience as a Yoga instructor and certified Reiki Master, coupled with her work among disabled children, helped refocus her life and define her uniqueness. As a direct result of her personal development and enriching life experiences, Giorgia literally redefined her own musical direction, with influences from a wide spectrum of sources including ethnic, classical, world and pop music. “This enabled me to discover the depths of my heart and soul before turning to the serious study of music.”
The year 2002 would mark the beginning of a major turning point for Giorgia. Maurice Velenosi, who would later become Giorgia’s manager was handed a demo track by Italian superstar Zucchero. The female voice on the demo was that of Giorgia. “The minute I heard her voice, I knew there was something very special about this singer. It was not only about a beautiful voice but also about the emotions her voice carried. Her voice simply touched me. I knew she was destined to be a major star.”
Giorgia studied voice at the highly esteemed Music Conservatory of Parma, Italy, (Conservatorio di Musica Arrigo Boito) as well as with other private vocal coaches in Italy, in Canada and currently in the New York City with Prof. William Riley.
Traveling back and forth between Italy and Canada over the next two years while working on her first album, Giorgia was slowly being groomed for international stardom. On January 25, 2003, she achieved a personal triumph when she performed a solo concert for the first time in her home city of Aulla. The over-capacity audience at the theatre greeted Giorgia with one standing ovation after another.
As a sign of her rising international recognition, in March 2003 Giorgia was one of the brightest stars to perform at the prestigious mega-televised concert, Les Divas du Québec, thrilling the packed house with her magnetic stage presence, charismatic style and extraordinary voice. A CD of this celebrated event was released in May 2003.
That same year, Giorgia’s song “Écoute-moi” was also selected to be part of the international CD compilation entitled “Drop the Debt”, created to promote cancellation of the Third World Debt. Artists from all over the world participated in this project.
In December, Giorgia electrified an audience of several thousand enraptured music lovers with a special two-concert Christmas show at Montreal’s world-famous St. Joseph’s Oratory with over 150 musicians and choir members on stage. Giorgia’s performance in the Oratory’s magnificent Basilica was a revelation to the audience. Her success continued with two concerts in February 2004 at The Montreal Highlights Festival. On both occasions the ecstatic audiences were spellbound by Giorgia’s sublime voice and charismatic personality.
Giorgia’s debut album, “Like A Dream”, released in 2004, contains masterpieces written by one of this generation’s most prolific composers: Vangelis. A stunning production achievement, this album overflows with lyrical beauty and soaring music. From the deeply spiritual Psalmus Ode, to the mysterious The Friends of Mr. Cairo, to the hauntingly beautiful “Like A Dream”, the album contains Vangelis’ best creations. Giorgia’s superb soprano voice literally transports the listeners to another world -- a world of peace, beauty, harmony and spiritual discovery. “Like A Dream” was recorded in Montreal and at Abbey Road Studios in London with the participation of the world famous English Chamber Choir under the direction of Guy Protheroe. Many talented musicians from the Cirque du Soleil have also collaborated on this album.
Following the release of “Like A Dream”, Giorgia toured South Korea, Japan, India, Italy and Canada, giving a series of concerts and helping to promote the album. Notably, she performed with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra at the prestigious Seoul Arts Center and with the MBC Pops Orchestra in Seoul. Her much-heralded appearance with the MBC Pops Orchestra was broadcast throughout South Korea. Giorgia’s voice can also be heard on the Korean movie soundtrack CD “My Mother Mermaid”. That summer, Giorgia toured as guest soloist with the Russian Red Army Choir from Moscow.
In the fall of 2004, Giorgia recorded her first TV Special for Bravo that was televised nationally in Canada. In December of that same year, she was named world Ambassador for the Cerebral Palsy Association.
In February 2005, Giorgia returned to Montreal to grace audiences with her presence once again at the prestigious 2005 Montreal Highlights Festival. Throughout 2005, Giorgia performed regularly in Canada as well as giving concerts in Italy, Taiwan and South Korea.
In the fall of 2006, Giorgia signed her first major recording contract with EMI and, between studio sessions at Abbey Road in London and at Wisseloord in The Netherlands, Giorgia found time to perform at the Jeonju Sori Festival in Korea with the Iksam Philharmonic Orchestra (filmed for TV broadcast and aired, on prime time, on National MBC TV in Asia) and at the Arirang Festival in Korea. She also toured Taiwan that same year.
The recording of her debut EMI album was completed in 2007. It was an extremely busy year for Giorgia Fumanti: participation in a PBS Major Donor Concert Tour in the USA; guest appearances in over 20 concerts in Canada with pianist, Richard Abel; a second tour in Taiwan; and a breathtaking first tour in Johannesburg and Cape Town (South Africa) to promote the release of her debut EMI album, “From My Heart”. In November she recorded the PBS TV Special and DVD “Heavenly Voices” at the Gusman Center in Miami for EMI.
José Carreras, the greatest lyric tenor of our time, who was taken by her exceptional voice, invited Giorgia to join his Asian tour (South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong). Giorgia performed five solo songs during the concerts, in addition to joining the famous tenor for several duets. For Giorgia, sharing the stage with such a magnificent and warm voice was truly a beautiful and enriching experience. In particular, the duets were stunning and both Giorgia Fumanti and José Carreras literally ignited the audience with their voices. Mr. Carreras was enthusiastic to say the least, about Ms. Fumanti’s talent and said, “It was a pleasure working with you, with such a voice I am sure you have a great career in front of you.” Upon her return, Giorgia was invited to sing the Canadian National Anthem at the prestigious NHL All-Star Game in Dallas, Texas.
With the release of her new album From “My Heart” and the “Heavenly Voices DVD” in over 20 countries, allowed Giorgia Fumanti to tour the USA, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Italy, the UK, Greece, Portugal and Hong Kong to promote the release of her album and for performances. “From My Heart” was produced by Craig Leon, and features her musical version of Sting’s Fields of Gold in Italian (Campi D’oro), and four Ennio Morricone pieces including themes from The Mission, Cinema Paradiso and Once Upon A Time In The West. The album entered the Top 20 – Billboard Classical Crossover Chart, went to No. 1 in South Africa and Japan and hit the Top 20 in Canada. Later that year (in June), she joined once again José Carreras in London at the Hampton Court Festival, performed with Lang Lang at Lake Las Vegas and toured with the famed 12 Girls Band from China for over 40 concerts in Japan, the USA and Canada.
Giorgia also performed for former ex Vice President Al Gore in connection with the Climate Group, for the Governors of Georgia, Texas and Nevada, as well as for Mayor Michael Bloomberg at Gracie Mansion in New York.
China has become a big fan of Giorgia Fumanti. She has performed and toured there many times, mainly performing for the 2007 Special Olympics closing ceremonies in Shanghai where she interpreted the games’ theme song before 40 000 as well as performing at the official announcement of the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. Both events were televised across China and the world on satellite TV hitting an estimated viewing audience of 800,000 million. She also participated in the 2008 Chinese New Year All Star Concert where she also sang a duet with Chinese pop icon Wei Wei that was televised in February 2008 all over mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, South East Asia, Canada and the USA with a viewing audience of over… 1 billion !
In April 2008, Greece vibrated to the sound of the enchantress Fumanti during her seduction of Athenians assembled for two memorable concerts in which she shared the stage with none other than Lucio Dalla, Mario Frangoulis, and Justin Hayward (Moody Blues). Some days later, Giorgia performed at the National Centre of Performing Arts with the Beijing Symphony Orchestra and famous Chinese tenor Yu Qiang Dai. In August, Giorgia performed at the Beijing Olympics which was televised worldwide by CCTV. In October, Giorgia returned to China to perform at the Opening Ceremony of the prestigious Nanning Festival in Nanning, China, for CCTV and again in Beijing for BTV in December 2008. In the fall of 2008, Giorgia Fumanti undertook a series of concerts across the United States beside Italian singer Patrizio Buanne. 2008 saw Giorgia perform in China, Greece, Portugal, Italy, Canada and the USA.
Yukari Nakano, famous Japanese figure skating champion used Giorgia Fumanti’s song “Aria” in her Exhibition Programs across the world in 2008.
November 2008 saw Giorgia Fumanti’s third studio album and her first all French album take form. Entitled, “Je Suis”, it contains 14 superb songs, harmoniously produced by the illustrious Guy St-Onge. The album features a French version of Sarah MacLachlan’s Angel, Albinoni’s Adagio, Chopin’sNotturno, and Bach’s Ave Maria. The album went to the top 20 album sales chart in Canada.
In December 2008, Giorgia also appeared as a special guest on the PBS TV Christmas Special titled “Sharing Christmas with John McDermott and Friends”.
Giorgia Fumanti was also selected to sing the theme song (Better City, Better Life) of the 2010 World Expo of Shanghai, presented for the first time on national TV on May 1, 2009 (One Year Countdown to the World Expo) beside China’s most famous baritone Liao Chang Yong. The theme song was also being used as part of the ad campaign for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo which runned from May 2009 to October 2010.
In October 2009, Giorgia performed in Shanghai with Dragon TV for the “200 Day Countdown” for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo which opened on May 1, 2010.
In November 2009, Giorgia performed (2 concerts) with Michael Bolton at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London, followed by a solo performance at the world renowned La Fenice in Venice, Italy. That same month, Giorgia released her first Christmas album “Magnificat.” A collection of mainly sacred and classical arias, Giorgia sang 3 versions of “Ave Maria” (Caccini, Schubert, and Bach/Gounod), and renditions of Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World”, and Billy Joel’s “Goodnight My Angel”.
2010 saw the release of “Je Suis” in China, Korea and Taiwan, as well as “Magnificat” Korea and Taiwan. “From My Heart” was also released in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
In April 2010, Giorgia performed at the Kremlin in Moscow for the prestigious 2010 Tashir Music Awards (televised nationally) and Moscow’s most important annual event.
In April 2010, Giorgia Fumanti recorded the song and video “O Soave Fanciulla” by Puccini in Tuscany, Italy with Italian superstar Gino Paoli. This was used as the theme song at the Italian Pavillion in Shanghai, China for the 2010 World Expo.
May – June 2010 concerts in Germany and Italy followed by summer concerts in Canada.
In March and June 2010, Giorgia was featured as a special guest on the PBS TV Special “Benise Spanish Guitars”. The song “Evermore” (The Wedding Song) was also recorded for the Spanish Guitars CD and DVD.
On July 26, 2010, Giorgia Fumanti accompanied by the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra gave a memorable concert, sold out concert at the Shanghai Concert Hall.
In August 2010, Giorgia performed at the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 International SportAccord Combat Games in Beijing, and shared the stage with Jackie Chan.
In September 2010, she participated in a major TV show on CCTV in Beijing and sang with Chinese superstar Han Hong.
November 2010 saw the release of “Magnificat” in Italy, followed by many TV appearances on RAI 1, TG1 and other media.
In November and December 2010, a series of Christmas concerts were held in Canada. Giorgia returned to Beijing at the end of December 2010 as a special guest singer at the prestigious QQ Awards Show held at the Beijing Olympic Stadium and also performed on December 31, 2010 at the CCTV New Year’s Eve Gala TV Show. Giorgia returned to Beijing at the end of January 2011 to sing at the 2011 CCTV – Internet Spring Festival Gala (Chinese New Year) celebration for CCTV and Sohu.com.
Giorgia also made more appearances in Italy for RAI 1 and other media, followed by performances in Florida in February 2011, in Canada in March 2011 and again in Florida in April 2011…..while awaiting for the release of her 5th album, entitled, “Elysium” on Universal Music at the end of April 2011.
“It is so simple and true the desire I have to sing for you… From My Heart to Your Heart. Just like when my grandmother sang for me when I was a child and she was able to take me into a Special place…a place of peace, freedom and love. Now my desire is to take you into this Special place where our hearts are free and united. I hope to touch and inspire you with all the Magic that music makes me feel. From my heart to yours.”
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Info: Maurice Velenosi
Tel.: +1 514.952.2217
Email: velenosi@vega2.com
www.giorgiafumanti.com
www.myspace.com/giorgiafumanti