Romina Arena
Italian singer-songwriter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Romina Arena (born 1980) is an Italian-American singer and songwriter known for her "Popera" style, a fusion of pop and classical music. Originally a classically trained ballerina in Italy, she transitioned to a career in music following a vocal cord injury at the age of 15. She has released over 20 albums, including the 2012 project Morricone Uncovered, where she provided lyrics for film scores composed by Ennio Morricone.[1]
Romina Arena | |
|---|---|
 Arena in 2006 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Palermo, Sicily, Italy |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Labels |
|
| Website | www |
Career
Arena began performing at age four as a Disney "Mouseketeer" representing Disney Italy. In 2001, she recorded a cover of the Japanese song "Subaru," originally by Shinji Tanimura. Her rock opera single "Satellite (Italian Version)" was included in the soundtrack for the video game Project Gotham Racing 2 (2003).[2] In 2013, she contributed a cover of I Want Love (originally from Silent Hill 3, composed by Akira Yamaoka) to Edgar Rothermich's album, The Best of Silent Hill (Music from the Video Game Series), released by Perseverance Records.[3]
In November 2010, Arena performed an in-game concert within the virtual world Second Life.[4] In September 2012, she released Morricone Uncovered, an album consisting of 15 film scores by Ennio Morricone with lyrics she authored.[5]
Arena signed with Lakeshore Records in 2015 for the studio album Where Did They Film That? In Italy. This was followed by the June 2016 release of the album Music Journey, which accompanied her travel guide book of the same name[6]. That same year, her song "Every Day Is Christmas Day" was featured in the Hallmark Channel film A Christmas to Remember.[7]
Her live performances include a special guest appearance in Jim Wilson and Friends: A Place in My Heart at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts in Amarillo, Texas.[8] She also starred in and co-produced the ABC television special Holiday Movie Skating Spectacular, hosted by Kristi Yamaguchi, Brian Boitano, and Kimmie Meissner.[9]
In 2021, Arena was appointed "Official Ambassador of Italian Excellence in the World" by the President of M.I.R.E. (Movement of Italian Residents Abroad).[10] The following year, she was awarded the "Patrimonio Italiano Award" at the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Republic for her work as an artist and producer.[11]
Discography
Albums
- 1994: As Beautiful as You – CP Productions/BMG (Germany/Australia)
- 2004: Romina Arena – American Entertainment Records
- 2006: You're Gonna Hear from Me – Outback Records
- 2009: A Joyful Christmas – NMG Records
- 2010: Romanza (The Love Collection) – NMG Records (Re-released 2013)
- 2011: Life – NMG Records
- 2012: Morricone.Uncovered – Perseverance Records
- 2013: Romina Sings Japanese – NMG Records
- 2015: A Mother's Heart – PoperaStar Records
- 2016: Where Did They Film That Italy – The Music Journey – Lakeshore Records
- 2019: A Beautiful Surprise – PoperaStar Records
- 2020: Cinematica, Vol. 1 – PoperaStar Records
- 2021: Amore y Amor – PoperaStar Records
Singles
- 1994: "Una Vita Senza Vita" – San Remo Nuovi Talenti Festival Compilation (as Romina Notarbartolo)
- 1994: "You're The Only One" – Peter Ciani Music
- 1994: "Smile" – Danilo Sulis Recordings
- 1998: "Fateci Santi" – Produced by Beppe Cantarelli for The Vatican compilation
- 2001: "Subaru" – Design House/Toshiba-EMI
- 2003: "Satellite" – Featured on Project Gotham Racing 2 soundtrack, Microsoft Game Studios
- 2006: "Cuerpo Sin Alma" – Outback Records
- 2008: "Believe" – NMG Records
- 2010: "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" – NMG/Macs Records
- 2011: "A Mother's Prayer" – NMG Records
- 2011: "Arthur's Theme (The Best That You Can Do)" – NMG Records
- 2012: "Un Sogno Che Sognai" (I Dreamed a Dream) – Perseverance Records
- 2013: "I Want Love" – Featured on The Best of Silent Hill compilation, Perseverance Records
- 2014: "Corazon Italiano" – NMG Records
- 2014: "Annie's Song" – PoperaStar Records
- 2020: "Holding You" – PoperaStar Records
- 2020: "Verte Amor" – PoperaStar Records
Books
Articles and interviews
- Malibu Times "A Long Road Realized with Romina Arena" [16]
- Interview with Romina Arena and Build-A-Bear CEO Sharon Price John, ForbesBooks Podcast[17]
- "L’ Artista Romina Arena in CalabriaEstate 2023", Paesi Uniti della Sabina (in Italian)[18]
- "Romina Arena", 2024 review by Limitless (in Italian)[19]
