Roberto Danova
Born at
Lake Maggiore in Northern Italy, Roberto's fascination with music and drama began
at an early age. His singing and drama talent evolved during his studies, though
his main passion was composing. He drew his inspirations from real life events
and observations - translating these impressions and emotions into melodies and
words. Naturally, Italian opera and popular tunes of the time were of great and
lasting influence too.
In the early seventies, Roberto turned professional,
after being offered the position of lead singer in a group, which led to a contract
with an Italian recording and publishing company. However, Roberto's ambition
was to make his mark as a composer internationally, and he subsequently came to
London to work as an in-house composer/producer/arranger with a record/publishing
company.
During the seventies, eighties and nineties he wrote for - or
produced - Mungo Jerry, Geordie, Showaddywaddy, AC/DC, Kelly Marie, Joe Dolan
(who was hugely successful on the Continent, South Africa, South America and Australia
with Robertos compositions). Many of his compositions were covered by - Tom Jones,
Engelbert Humperdinck, Barbara Mandrell, James Darren, The Drifters, Ronnie Milsap
as well as over 20 Continental singers. Roberto has played an important role in
the early stage careers of many artists, among them Shona Laing, Nancy Nova and
Johnny Logan (3 times Eurovision winner). Other Irish singers who he produced
with his songs include Brendan Shine, Linda Martin, Dickie Rock, Anne Breen and
Sean ODowd.
Roberto established his first production company and label,
Ritz Records, in 1977 in partnership with Pye Records (London) and Vogue Records
(Paris). The company became Plaza Records in 1981 - which Roberto has been running
independently alongside his publishing firm Quatermass Music.
In the mid-80s,
he launched General Lafayette - an instrumental project - which has allowed him
to interpret his own compositions through the magic sound of the trumpet. His
contemporary arrangements and production, which include vocals plus digital and
live orchestration, create a highly inspirational atmosphere instantly recognisable
and much loved by his many fans.
In 1990 Roberto produced The 50th Anniversary
of The Battle of Britain with the BBC Concert Orchestra, Central Band of the Royal
Airforce and BBC Singers, a recording of the Gala Performance at the Royal Festival
Hall. The show subsequently toured North America and Canada. Other artists on
the Plaza label at that time included Vendetta and Karl Denver.
In 1995
he was commissioned to write the musical score for Phantom of the Opera on Ice
(drama on ice) which offered another great opportunity for expressing his musical
talent and versatility with melodrama - embracing operatic, classical and popular
themes - and complementing them with the distinctive and evocative style of his
productions. The Russian Ice Stars toured the UK successfully with the Phantom
production for several seasons during 1997-2001 performing to audiences of over
500,000 people.
Roberto's association with the Russian Ice Stars rekindled
a long held aspiration to record Russian religious choirs with their magnificent
hymns. In late 1998, a series of events suddenly made this dream a reality and
a fascinating two and a half year journey unfolded resulting in a contemporary,
new dimensional production entitled CREDO The Rock Opera of the Greatest Story.
Credo is a musical celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ featuring ancient
hymns, chants and gospel that were recorded with official choirs in cathedrals
and monasteries not only in Russia, but also in Armenia, The Holy Land, Vatican
City and the UK. The project was a uniquely inspirational experience and Roberto
felt very privileged to have met so many wonderful people during the making of
Credo. [www.credo2000.com]
Apart from working on a new album for General
Lafayette, another project involves a new instrumental
concept featuring guitars.
