Petra Magoni

Petra Magoni

Petra Magoni is an Italian singer whose career spans a diverse range of musical genres, from ancient music and opera to rock and electronic dance music. Her vocal versatility and eclectic artistic approach have led to collaborations with numerous prominent musicians and artists across different disciplines.

Early Musical Development

Magoni began her musical journey singing in a treble voice chorus. She further honed her vocal skills by studying at the Conservatory of Leghorn and the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Milan, where she specialized in ancient music under the tutelage of Alan Curtis. Throughout her development, she attended masterclasses and seminars led by notable figures such as Bobby McFerrin, Sheila Jordan (focusing on improvisation), Tran Quan Hay (harmonic and diphonic singing), and The King's Singers (vocal ensemble).

Exploration of Genres and Early Career

Initially involved with ancient and opera music, Magoni later transitioned to rock music, joining the Pisan group Senza Freni and participating in the 1995 edition of the Arezzo Wave contest. Her career gained national recognition when she participated in the Sanremo Festival twice: in 1996 with the song “E ci sei” and in 1997 with “Voglio un dio.” During this period, she also appeared on various television shows, embarked on a theatre tour, and contributed to the film “Bagnomaria” by actor Giorgio Panariello, with whom she co-wrote and recorded the song “Che Natale sei.”

Collaborations and Pseudonyms

Known for her eclectic nature, Magoni has collaborated with a wide array of artists. These include rapper Stiv and jazz musicians such as Stefano Bollani, Antonello Salis, and Ares Tavolazzi. Under the pseudonym Artepal, she has also made her mark in the dance music scene as both a singer and composer, with her track “Don’t give up” serving as the leitmotif for numerous Sasch advertising campaigns.

Recording Projects

Magoni has released several recordings under her own name, including the albums "Petra Magoni" (1996) and "Mulini a vento" (1997). She also released a CD under the pseudonym Sweet Anima in January 2000, featuring songs originally written in English by Lucio Battisti. In collaboration with Giampaolo Antoni, she released an electro-pop album as Aromatic titled "Still Alive" in November 2004.

Musica Nuda and International Recognition

A significant milestone in her career was the formation of the duo Musica Nuda with contrabassist Ferruccio Spinetti (formerly of Piccola Orchestra Avion Travel). Their debut album, "MUSICA NUDA," released in 2004 by "Storie di Note," achieved considerable success, selling over 10,000 copies in Italy and earning third place at the Premio Tenco 2004 in the "performer" category. The album was subsequently released internationally in France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, and Switzerland by Bonsai Music in 2005. It sold over 15,000 copies abroad and received critical acclaim, including the prestigious FIP stamp from French public radio and the "four clés" award from Télérama.

Live Performances and Awards

The Musica Nuda duo has been highly active on the live circuit, performing over 100 concerts in Italy and abroad within a single year. They also opened for the Piccola Orchestra Avion Travel during their summer concerts. In recognition of their work, the duo received the "Special Project" award at the PIMI (Premio Italiano della Musica Indipendente) during MEI 2004 in Faenza. Magoni also performed at the May Day concert in 2005 with the Grande Orchestra Avion Travel and was invited to perform at the 30th edition of the Premio Tenco in 2005.

Theatrical and Contemporary Projects

Magoni's involvement in theatre includes being the solo voice in the short opera “Presepe Vivente e Cantante,” with music by Stefano Bollani and lyrics by David Riondino, which was released as a CD book. She has also participated in productions by the Archivolto Theatre of Genoa, directed by Giorgio Gallione, such as “Alice Underground” and “Corto Maltese.” Alongside Ferruccio Spinetti and actress Monica Demuru, she staged “AE DI-Odissea Pop,” an epic performance with songs slated for a future CD release. Furthermore, she collaborated with Paolo Benvegnù, Ares Tavolazzi, and Monica Demuru on an original project titled “Cime Domestiche” for the “Suoni delle Dolomiti” festival in 2006.

"Musica Nuda 2" and Continued Collaborations

In March 2006, Musica Nuda released their double album “Musica Nuda 2” simultaneously in Italy (Radiofandango) and France (Bonsaimusic). The album featured notable guest artists including Stefano Bollani, Fausto Mesolella, Erik Truffaz, Nicola Stilo, Mirko Guerrini, Monica Demuru, and Nico Gori.