Riccardo Cocciante

French-Italian singer/songwriter Riccardo Cocciante began his music career in Rome with the band the Nations before launching his solo debut in 1972. His breakthrough came with the release of Anima, featuring the hit single "Belle Senz'Anima" arranged by Ennio Morricone. Cocciante's success continued with the power ballad "Margherita" and signing with Virgin Records to release the album Sincerita in 1983. He later collaborated with lyricist Luc Plamondon on the musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre Dame, titled Notre Dame de Paris, which debuted in 1999.