ANPCaterina Valente in 1962
NOS Nieuws•gisteren, 18:33
French-Italian singer Caterina Valente (93) has passed away. With her versatile voice, she was also called the European Barbara Streisand.
In the 50s and 60s she was extremely popular in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium with hits such as All of Paris Dreams of Love in Where My Sun ShinesLater international hits followed such as Malaga in The Breeze And I.
Valente was born in Paris in 1931 as the daughter of Italian parents who both worked in the circus. Her mother Maria Valente was a famous clown and her father was the accordionist Giuseppe Valente. At the age of five she was allowed to sing a song for the first time with her parents in the ring of circus Grock.
She became the assistant of juggler Erik von Aro, whom she married in 1952 and had a son with. In addition, she continued to sing, also outside the circus, with increasing success. Von Aro later became her manager and was also the driving force behind Dutch singer Rob de Nijs for a while, when he tried to break through in Germany.
Number 1 hits
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
All of Paris dreams of lovethe German translation of I love Paris by Cole Porter, was Valente’s first big hit in Germany in 1954. A year later she was also in the hit parade in the Netherlands with, among others, Malaga in The breeze and I.
Until 1963 she had almost continuous hits in the Low Countries with original Dutch and German songs. Some songs reached the first place, such as Tschau, tschau Bambinathe German translation of Domenico Modugno’s San Remohit Rains and sung in touching Dutch Sweetheart My Darling My Treasure.
She made her debut in America, where her show Good evening Kathrin was broadcast on television, and was in the famous Parisian theatre L’Olympia for a month. In Austria, Germany and Switzerland she was on television with her own The Caterina Valente Show.
Valente also acted in films. She made her debut in Mannequins For Riofollowed by leading roles in films such as Love Dance And 1000 hits with Peter Alexander and Casino de Paris with Vittorio de Sica and Gilbert Bécaud.
Lake Lugano
When her European success began to wane in the late 1960s, she shifted her work to America. There she performed with big stars such as Doris Day, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and the Count Basie Orchestra. Her repertoire became a lot jazzier as a result.
Her marriage to Van Aro ended in 1971 and she remarried British pianist Roy Budd, with whom she had a second son. The marriage did not last long and after her divorce she toured extensively through America, Russia, Austria, Switzerland and East and West Germany.
In 1996 she gave her farewell concert in Leipzig. Since then she has lived a secluded life in her villa in Switzerland on Lake Lugano.
Caterina Valente website
Caterina Valente: The Multilingual Songstress who Conquered Europe’s Heart
Caterina Valente, the French-Italian singer, guitarist, and dancer, passed away at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable music and performances. Born in Paris in 1931, Valente’s journey to stardom was marked by her versatile voice, captivating stage presence, and multilingual skills.
Early Life and Career
Valente’s parents, Maria and Giuseppe Valente, were Italian circus performers who introduced her to the world of entertainment at a young age. She began singing with her parents in the circus ring at the age of five and later became the assistant of juggler Erik von Aro, whom she married in 1952 and had a son with. Von Aro later became her manager and played a significant role in her success.
Rise to Fame
Valente’s music career took off in the 1950s, with her first big hit in Germany in 1954, “All of Paris Dreams of Love,” a German translation of Cole Porter’s “I Love Paris.” She followed this up with hits in the Netherlands, such as “Malaga” and “The Breeze and I.” Her music was a unique blend of French, Italian, and German styles, which resonated with audiences across Europe.
International Success
Valente’s popularity extended beyond Europe, with her show ”Good Evening Kathrin” being broadcast on American television and her performing at the famous Parisian theatre L’Olympia for a month. She also appeared on television in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland with her own show, “The Caterina Valente Show.”
Film Career
In addition to her music, Valente also acted in several films, including “Mannequins for Rio,” “Love Dance,” “And 1000 Hits” with Peter Alexander, and ”Casino de Paris” with Vittorio de Sica and Gilbert Bécaud.
Shift to America
As her European success began to wane in the late 1960s, Valente shifted her focus to America, where she continued to perform and record music. Her ability to sing in multiple languages and adapt to different genres made her a beloved artist across the globe.
Legacy
Caterina Valente’s legacy is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and passion for music. With her unique voice and captivating stage presence, she has left an indelible mark on the music industry. As the “European Barbara Streisand,” she will be remembered for generations to come.
Discography and Recent Updates
According to her official website [[2]], Caterina Valente has been rediscovered by the digital generation, with her music available on various platforms, including Spotify [[3]]. Her recent releases include “El Cumbanchero (2024 Remix),” “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Honolulu Strand Bikini,” “Stranger in Paradise (Remastered),” and “Siboney (Remastered).”
Caterina Valente’s life and career serve as an inspiration to aspiring musicians and performers. Her music continues to delight audiences, and her legacy will endure as a testament to her talent and dedication to the world of entertainment.
References:
[1] AllMusic – Caterina Valente. Retrieved from
[2] Caterina Valente Official Website. Retrieved from
[3] Caterina Valente on Spotify. Retrieved from
Video Caterina Valente
Caterina Valente: The Multilingual Singer and Dancer
Caterina Valente, a renowned Italian-French singer, guitarist, and dancer, has left an indelible mark on the music industry. Born on January 14, 1931, in Paris, France, to Italian parents, Valente’s unique blend of talents and linguistic abilities made her a household name in Europe and beyond.
Early Life and Career
Valente’s parents, Maria Valente, a famous clown, and Giuseppe Valente, an accordionist, introduced her to the world of entertainment at a young age. She began singing at the tender age of five, performing with her parents in the circus ring of Grock. As she grew older, Valente honed her skills, becoming a skilled guitarist and dancer.
Valente’s big break came in 1954 when her German translation of Cole Porter’s “I Love Paris,” titled “All of Paris Dreams of Love,” topped the charts in Germany. A year later, she made her debut in the Netherlands with hits like “Malaga” and “The Breeze and I.” This marked the beginning of her successful music career, with continuous hits in the Low Countries until 1963[[[1]].
Rise to International Stardom
Valente’s versatility and linguistic abilities (she speaks six languages and sings in eleven) helped her transcend borders and genres. Her repertoire spanned from jazz to bossanova, with ease and disinvoltura [[2]]. She performed with some of the biggest names in music, including Doris Day, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and the Count Basie Orchestra.
In addition to her music career, Valente acted in films, making her debut in “Mannequins For Rio” and later starring in films like “Love Dance” and “Casino de Paris” with Vittorio de Sica and Gilbert Bécaud[[[1]].
Later Years and Legacy
As her European success began to wane in the late 1960s, Valente shifted her focus to America, where she continued to perform and record music. Her later years saw her repertoire become more jazz-oriented, reflecting her collaborations with American jazz legends.
Caterina Valente’s remarkable career has inspired generations of musicians and entertainers. With her passing on September 9, 2024, at the age of 93, the world has lost a true legend [[3]]. However, her music and legacy will continue to captivate audiences, ensuring that her star remains bright in the firmament of entertainment.
References:
