President Sergio Mattarella led the
tributes on Tuesday after Italian music great Franco
Battiato.died early in the day at his home in the Sicilian town
of Milo.
The much-loved singer-songwriter was 76.
Battiato.was a multifaceted artist and his work spanned many
genres, including pop, electronic music, rock and new wave.
Nicknamed the "Maestro", his career lasted half a century.
Among other things, he represented Italy at the 1984 Eurovision
Song Contest with "I Treni di Tozeur" with the singer Alice,
with whom he had a long-standing professional partnership.
Mattarella said he was "profoundly pained by the premature death
of Franco Battiato" and described him as "a cultured, refined
artist".
"With his unmistakeable musical style - the fruit of intense
study and frenzied experimentation - he charmed a vast number of
people, including beyond Italy's borders," the head of State
said.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
