Gino Paoli, voice of the Genoese school, dies at 91

Gino Paoli, voice of the Genoese school, dies at 91

Genoese singer-songwriter Gino Paoli has died at the age of 91. The family requested privacy; reports indicate he passed away at his home in Genoa after a short hospital stay.

Born in Monfalcone in 1934 and raised in Genoa, Paoli was a leading figure of the so-called "Scuola Genovese", alongside artists such as Luigi Tenco and Bruno Lauzi. His work, marked by poetic melancholy, influenced generations of Italian songwriters.

• Il cielo in una stanza — popularized by Mina.
• Senza fine — famously performed by Ornella Vanoni, with whom Paoli shared a long personal and artistic relationship.
• Sapore di sale — arranged by Ennio Morricone and noted for its saxophone solo.
• Una lunga storia d'amore — signaled his comeback in the 1980s.

Paoli's career included both major successes and difficult periods, but he remained a reserved and distinctive interpreter, collaborating in later years with leading jazz musicians such as Danilo Rea. He also wrote songs for other artists, enriching Italy's musical heritage.

Local authorities in Genoa expressed condolences, calling him "a unique voice" who deeply marked the city's and the nation's cultural life. His songs remain a lasting part of Italy's collective memory.