Riccardo Cocciante

The Profile

Riccardo Cocciante (born 20 February 1946 in Saigon) is an Italian singer‑songwriter and composer. After early singles, he issued the prog‑leaning Mu (1972) and scored major hits in the 1970s–80s with piano‑driven ballads. Internationally, he is renowned for composing the musical Notre‑Dame de Paris and other stage works.

Born in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) to an Italian family; active since the 1970s; also known as Richard Cocciante in French markets; collaborated with Mogol and with Vangelis (Concerto per Margherita); composed musicals including Notre‑Dame de Paris, Le Petit Prince and Giulietta e Romeo; won the Sanremo Music Festival in 1991 with "Se stiamo insieme".

Reviews spotlight Cocciante’s surprising prog debut Mu, the Vangelis-shaped textures of Concerto per Margherita, and the Mogol-powered pop of Cervo a primavera. The 1977/78 self‑titled album with A mano a mano divides opinions for its pomp and haste. Across eras, his emotive voice and piano anchor songs, with highs often offset by fillers. Publicly, he’s also famed for Notre-Dame de Paris and a Sanremo win with Se stiamo insieme.