You're reading: L’Italiano Vero

Three decades ago women in the Soviet Union were going crazy for Toto Cutugno, a musician and composer and l’Italiano vero, or the real Italian.

Now, he’s bringing his nostalgic tune of “Lasciantemi Cantare” – familiar even to the younger generation – to Kyiv.

Cutugno’s warm and raspy voice and catchy melodies penetrate in the listeners’ souls and make the composer a romantic emblem of Italian pop music.

Cutugno gained prominence in the 1970s after composing song “Africa” with poet Vito Pallavichini, which enriched the repertoire of famous Joe Dessin and Frank Sinatra.

Consequently, famous singers Murielle Mathieu, Claude Francois, Jonnie Holliday, Dalida, Ray Charles and Adriano Chilintano lined up to work with Cutugno on new hits.

The singer is bringing the hits from his recent album “I Miei Sanremo” as well as everyone’s beloved “L’ Italiano,” “Solo Noi” and others.

Sat, Nov. 19, 7 p.m., Palats Ukraina, 103 Velyka Vasylkivska St., tickets: Hr 200 -1,550.