Renato Fiacchini was born in Rome in the Via di Ripetta, next to the Via del Corso.
He quit his studies early to devote himself to his true passion, playing music and singing - though initially with little success. He replied to the criticisms (including the recurring insult Sei uno zero! - "You're a zero!") by assuming the alter-ego of Renato Zero. After several different jobs, including an appearance in an advertisement for ice-cream, he recorded his first singles in 1965: "Tu, sì", "Il deserto", "La solitudine", which were never issued. His first published single, "Non basta sai/In mezzo ai guai" (1967), sold a total of 20 copies.
In the late 1960s Zero's career was favoured by the glam-rock fashion, which he had somehow presaged with his sexual ambiguity and androgynous appearance. At the same time, this led him to be accused of cloning characters like David Bowie. In 1973 he issued his first LP, No! Mamma, no! (live), but with little success. The follow-up Invenzioni met the same fate.
Birth of the "Zerophilia"
It was not until 1976 that he scored his first hit with the single "Madame". "Madame" and the album including it, Trapezio, established a regular and loyal audience for Zero. This was to increase exponentially in the following years, until he could boast a huge following of die-hard fans that he dubbed "Sorcini" ("Little Mice").
The late 1970s were indeed years of great success for Zero's character, with the LPs Zerofobia ("Zerophobia", 1977), Zerolandia (1978) and Erozero (1979) topping the Italian charts. At this time Renato Zero was amongst the two or three most popular singers in Italy and his song "Il Carrozzone" was already regarded, also by critics, as one of the best Italian songs ever.
In 1979 Zero played himself in the movie "Ciao Nì" (his usual greeting to his fans, which can be roughly translated as "Hi pal!"). In Italy this film was to be more successful than the blockbuster "Superman".
The 1980s
In the 1980s he began to abandon make-up and greasepaint, but this did not rid Zero of his mania for grandeur: in the 1980 tour, for example, he entered the scene riding a white horse. In 1982 he began a collaboration with the opera director Renato Serio, who was to write the string arrangements for almost all of Zero's following LPs. In late 1983 he took part in RAI's Fantastico 3, then the most popular Italian TV show.
His career continued to be successful until 1984, with top-charts songs like "Amico" ("Friend") and "Spiagge" ("Beaches"). That year, however, his album Leoni si nasce and the tour of the same name, in which he appeared disguised as a lion and escorted by four aborigines, were commercial failures. The album Zero of 1987 marked the low point of his career: instead of playing in arenas and stadiums, Zero had to sing almost for free in the piazzas and discos of Italy's minor cities.
1990s and 2000s: the Comeback
In 1991 Renato Zero participated to the Sanremo Music Festival with "Spalle al muro", and from that moment on his career began to rise again. In 1993 he was nr.1 in the Italian charts with the LP Quando non sei più nessuno. The following year Imperfetto repeated this success. During his tour concerts would regularly sell out, and he returned to his famous dress changes during the spectacles, although in a less kitsch and more balanced style.
In 2004 his tour "Cattura il sogno/Il sogno continua" (Catch the dream/The dream continues) was awarded from Pollstar magazine as the most successful of the year in Italy and as well as one of the most successful worldwide (#30). The recording af the Roman concerts, held at Olimpico Stadium in June, was the best selled musical DVD of 2004. In 2005 he took part to the Italian stage of Live 8, in the Circo Massimo. In November his new album Il dono ("The Gift") topped the charts and maintained #1 until the end of the year. In December 2005 he performed in the Vatican with a song dedicated to Pope John Paul II. Renato Zero's most recent tour started in February 2006 and is entitled Zero movimento. During some concerts held at the time of the campaign for the April 2006 elections he declared himself against former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
L'Istrione
Renato Zero Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ma la genialità
È nata insieme a me
Nel teatro che vuoi
Dove un altro cadrà
Io mi surclasserò
Io sono un istrione
Ma la teatralità
Quattro tavole in croce
E qualche spettatore
Chi sono lo vedrai...
Lo vedrai...
In una stanza di tre muri
Tengo il pubblico con me
Sull'orlo di un abisso oscuro
Coi i miei crac con i miei chi
E la commedia brillerà
Del fuoco sacro acceso in me
E parlo e piango e riderò
Nel personaggio... che vivrò
Perdonatemi se
Con nessuno di voi
Non ho niente in comune
Io sono un istrione
A cui la scena dà
La giusta dimensione
La vita torna in me
Ad ogni chi è di scena
Che io sentirò
E ancora morirò
Di gioia e di paura
Quando il sipario sale
Paura che potrò
Non ricordare più
La parte che so già
Poi quando tocca a me
Puntuale sono là
Nel sogno sempre uguale... uguale...
Io sono un istrione
Ed ho scelto oramai
La vita che farò
Procuratemi voi
Sei repliche in città
E un successo farò
Io sono un istrione
E l'arte, l'arte sola è la vita per me
Se mi date un teatro
E un ruolo adatto a me
Il genio si vedrà... si vedrà...
Con il mio viso ben truccato
Con la maschera che ho
In tono enfatico, discreto
Versi e prosa vi dirò
Con tenerezza o con furore
E mentre agli altri mentirò
Fino a che sembri verità
Fino a che io ci crederò...
Non è per vanità
Quel che valgo lo so
E ad essere sincero
Solo un vero istrione
È grande come me
Ed io ne sono fiero
The song L'Istrione by Renato Zero is about the passion and dedication it takes to be a successful actor, or an istrione in Italian. The singer is proud of his profession, and he praises the genius and creativity he brings to the stage. He talks about how the love for theatre runs through his veins, and he finds it hard to connect with people who don't share his passion for acting. He says that the stage is the place where he truly comes to life, where he can be himself, take risks, and explore new sides of his personality.
The lyrics talk about the fear and excitement that comes with performing in front of an audience. The singer says that he feels alive every time he takes the stage, and he doesn't want to miss a single moment of the experience. He knows that acting is not just about pretending to be someone else, but about finding a way to bring truth and authenticity to every performance. He acknowledges that there are other talented actors out there, but he believes that his dedication and love for the craft set him apart.
Overall, the song is a celebration of the art of acting and the joy it brings to those who pursue it with passion and commitment.
Line by Line Meaning
Io sono un istrione
I am an actor who thrives on the attention of the audience.
Ma la genialità
I possess innate talent and creativity.
È nata insieme a me
My genius was born with me and cannot be separated from my being.
Nel teatro che vuoi
I can perform in any kind of theater space, big or small.
Dove un altro cadrà
Where other actors would fail, I will surpass them.
Io mi surclasserò
I will always outdo myself in every performance.
Ma la teatralità
Acting and drama are an essential part of my being.
Scorre dentro di me
The art of theater runs through me like a life-giving river.
Quattro tavole in croce
Even on a simple stage, I can create magic and drama.
E qualche spettatore
Whether I am performing for one or many spectators, I always give my best.
Chi sono lo vedrai...
My true character and talent will be revealed in the roles I take on.
In una stanza di tre muri
In a confined space, such as a theater, I can captivate and hold an audience.
Tengo il pubblico con me
I have the ability to connect with my audience and keep them engaged throughout the performance.
Sull'orlo di un abisso oscuro
I can take the audience to the brink of darkness, fear, and desperation.
Coi i miei crac con i miei chi
With my sounds and voice, I can create tension and convey emotions that words alone cannot express.
E la commedia brillerà
Even in lighthearted comedies, I can make an impression and shine as an actor.
Del fuoco sacro acceso in me
The art of theater ignites a passion in me that cannot be extinguished.
E parlo e piango e riderò
Through words, tears, and laughter, I can become the character I am portraying.
Nel personaggio... che vivrò
I become the character and breathe life into them onstage.
Perdonatemi se
Forgive me if I sometimes come across as aloof or unapproachable.
Con nessuno di voi
It's not that I have nothing in common with my audience, it's just that my calling is different.
Non ho niente in comune
I am an actor, and my life's passion lies on the stage.
A cui la scena dà
The theater stage is where I come alive and thrive.
La giusta dimensione
The theater gives me the perfect outlet to express my artistic talents fully.
La vita torna in me
When I am performing, I am fully alive and present in each moment.
Ad ogni chi è di scena
I am always present and engaged, listening and responding to every cue.
Che io sentirò
I am fully attentive and attuned to the performance and the other actors on stage.
E ancora morirò
Each performance takes a bit of me, but it also gives me new life and inspiration.
Di gioia e di paura
With each performance comes the risk of failure, but also the possibility of greatness.
Quando il sipario sale
When the curtain rises, I know that anything is possible, and I am ready for whatever challenges come my way.
Paura che potrò
Sometimes, I fear that I may forget my lines or my cues.
Non ricordare più
I worry that I may falter or fail when it matters most.
La parte che so già
Even the parts I know by heart can become difficult when I am performing in front of a live audience.
Poi quando tocca a me
When it's my turn to be onstage, I never hesitate or falter, and I am always on time.
Puntuale sono là
I take pride in my punctuality and reliability as a performer.
Nel sogno sempre uguale... uguale...
My passion for the theater never fades, and I remain committed to my dream every day.
Ed ho scelto oramai
I have embraced my calling as an actor, and I know that I will always choose the stage over anything else in life.
La vita che farò
My life will always be defined by the art of theater.
Procuratemi voi
Provide me with the right opportunities, and I will make them unforgettable.
Sei repliche in città
Give me six performances in a city, and I will make them six unforgettable experiences for my audience.
E un successo farò
I can guarantee a successful performance and an appreciative audience every time.
E l'arte, l'arte sola è la vita per me
For me, life is all about the art of theater, and there is no greater purpose in life than making the audience feel emotions and experiences like they have never felt before.
Se mi date un teatro
Give me the stage, and I will give you a performance that will make you forget all your troubles and transport you to another world.
E un ruolo adatto a me
Give me a role that fits me like a glove, and I will bring it to life in a way you have never seen before.
Il genio si vedrà... si vedrà...
The real proof of my genius will be on full display in the roles I take on and the performances I give.
Con il mio viso ben truccato
The art of theater involves not just my acting skills but also my makeup and costume skills, which I take great care with.
Con la maschera che ho
As an actor, I use different masks to portray different roles and characters.
In tono enfatico, discreto
I keep a balance between passion and restraint in my voice and tone as I deliver my lines.
Versi e prosa vi dirò
Whether I am delivering poetry or prose, I know how to captivate and engage my audience with my delivery.
Con tenerezza o con furore
With equal skill, I can convey tender moments or explosive bursts of emotion onstage.
E mentre agli altri mentirò
Even as I portray a character, I know how to create an illusion so powerful that it becomes the truth onstage.
Fino a che sembri verità
My acting skills are so convincing that even I start to believe in the truth of the character I am portraying.
Fino a che io ci crederò...
And in that moment, I am no longer acting but living the truth of the character with all my heart and soul.
Non è per vanità
My love for theater is not driven by vanity or the need for attention but by a genuine passion for the art form.
Quel che valgo lo so
I know my own worth as an actor, and I am confident in my abilities.
E ad essere sincero
To be honest, there is no greater honor or pleasure for me than perfoming for an audience.
Solo un vero istrione
Only a true actor like me can understand the power and magic of the theater.
È grande come me
And only someone as great and talented as me can truly appreciate and embody the art of theater.
Ed io ne sono fiero
And I am proud to be such an actor and to bring joy and emotions to every person who watches me onstage.
Contributed by Nathan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@robertospiga1844
Tra l'altro Renato ha diritto più di tanti di interpretare questa canzone, perché con le sue trasformazioni nella sua vita può meritarsi tale approvazione.
@portipiano
Buon pomeriggio Roberto hai ragione un trasformista come lui non ce ne mai stato uno e mai ne sarà!! poi le sue canzoni chi le dimentica più ,grazie per il tuo pensiero,ciao Annarè 🤗
@agneselaurenza2235
@@portipiano
La
@antonietta48
CARISMA!!!!! I TUOI TRASCORSI .LE TUE POESIE/ CANZONI.....SOLO TU, CON LA TUA VOCE, GESTUALITÀ.!!!!! GRAZIE RENATO!!!! FACCI SOGNARE ANCORA!!!! ,
@marcovulpetti437
Ciao Renato sei proprio un grande ti abbraccio forte forte Marco vulpetti.
@micheladilauro4361
MASSIMO RANIERI la interpreta in modo sublime bravo Massimo .
@Maurizio-mp6ic
Un vero maestro bravissimo
@nunzianapolitano6531
Renato sei un mostro di interpretazione e di cantante👍❤🌻🌻🌻 sei un grande artista👄
@stefanompc
Grandissima interpretazione della poesia di Charles Aznavour ... Renato è unico e inimitabile come sempre!
@roccocaruso5627
Sei un Grande,per me uno dei migliori in Italia.Un uomo Saggio,umile,con i piedi per terra,amico di tutti.Un uomo semplice,con dignita',e con malvagita'e odio zero.