Matia Bazar

The Profile

Matia Bazar are an Italian pop/synth-pop group formed in Genoa in 1975. Fronted in their classic era by Antonella Ruggiero, they moved from 1970s Italian pop to an electronic and new-wave sound in the early 1980s. They won the Sanremo Music Festival in 1978 and the Critics’ Award in 1983 with Vacanze romane; Ti sento (1985) became a major European hit.

Compiled from DeBaser reviews and publicly verifiable sources: Italian MusicGroup from Genoa; active since 1975; Sanremo winners (1978) and Critics’ Award (1983, Vacanze romane); notable European hit Ti sento (1985).

Reviews track Matia Bazar’s evolution from 1970s Italian pop to an electronic, new-wave turn in the 1980s. Tango marks the sonic shift, while Melanchòlia (1985) is hailed as a peak, driven by Antonella Ruggiero’s towering vocals and the hit Ti sento. Red Corner closes Ruggiero’s era with a melancholic, stylistic recap. Later years receive cooler reception.