Maria Nazionale

Born in Torre Annunziata in 1969, this Italian singer/songwriter and actress first stepped into the spotlight at the Festivalbar singing contest in 1986, performing the track "Ragazzo Solo" (Lonely Boy). She soon established herself as a popular recording artist with a focus on Neapolitan pop. From 1993 through 2008 she issued nine albums, then demonstrated her range as a performer by claiming the David di Donatello Award in 2009 for her role in Matteo Garrone’s crime drama Gomorra. She returned to Sanremo Music Festival in 2010 to share the stage with Nino d’Angelo on “Jammo Jà” (Come on Let’s Go). The following year her composition “Ragione e Sentimento” (Hearts and Minds) appeared on the soundtrack of Tatanka. In 2013 she released the mini-album Libera (Free), previewing the project with another Sanremo appearance that featured the songs “È Colpa Mia” (It’s My Fault) and “Quando Non Parlo” (When I Do Not Speak).