Gloria Simonetti
Gloria Simonetti | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Born | January 5, 1948 Santiago, Chile |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
Gloria Angélica Simonetti Mazzarelli (born 5 January 1948) is a Chilean singer. Active since the second half of the 1960s, she is primarily associated with pop music and Latin ballads.
She gained national recognition through the Viña del Mar International Song Festival, winning its international competition in 1969 with "Mira, mira", written by Chilean songwriter Scottie Scott.[1]
Biography
[edit]Early career and Viña del Mar
[edit]Simonetti began performing during the 1960s, participating in university music festivals and initially working with Chilean singer-songwriter Julio Zegers. In 1967, she signed a recording contract with RCA Victor.[1]
In 1968, Simonetti participated for the first time in the Viña del Mar International Song Festival, where she performed songs including "Para cuando vuelvas", written by Zegers. Her appearance was met with a strongly negative reaction from part of the audience. The incident has subsequently been associated with the origins of the Quinta Vergara audience's reputation as "El Monstruo" ("The Monster") for its demanding and sometimes hostile reactions toward performers.[2]
During the same period, she appeared in the musical film Ayúdeme usted, compadre, directed by Germán Becker.[1]
Simonetti returned to the Viña del Mar festival in 1969 and won the international competition with "Mira, mira", composed by Scottie Scott. The result contributed to her growing prominence in the Chilean music industry.[1][3]
Musical career
[edit]Following her success at Viña del Mar, Simonetti continued her recording and performing career. In 1970, she toured Chile with Argentine singer Sandro. The following year, she performed a concert at the Municipal Theatre of Santiago, which was subsequently released as the album Gloria en el Municipal.[4]
Over the course of her career, Simonetti has performed works by numerous Chilean and Latin American songwriters. Songs associated with her repertoire include "Gracias a la Vida" by Violeta Parra and "Ojalá" by Silvio Rodríguez. Simonetti has stated that Rodríguez sent her a letter expressing his appreciation for her rendition of "Ojalá".[5]
Her career has also included television appearances and participation in music programs. In 2007, she served as a judge on Canal 13's Cantando por un sueño. That year, she also marked forty years of her artistic career with performances in Santiago, Viña del Mar and Concepción.[4]
In 2009, Simonetti released Gracias a ustedes, an album devoted to Chilean music that featured musicians including Valentín Trujillo and Ángel Parra.[4] She released Desnuda in 2011, followed by Gente grande in 2012. The latter project featured songs associated with Chilean musicians and songwriters including Violeta Parra, Patricio Manns, Eduardo Gatti and Luis Advis, as well as collaborations with Cecilia and Ginette Acevedo.[4]
Simonetti has continued to perform and record music, including independent productions and collaborations with other artists.[4]
Discography
[edit]Selected albums
[edit]- Gloria en el Municipal
- Gracias a ustedes (2009)
- Desnuda (2011)
- Gente grande (2012)
Filmography
[edit]- Ayúdeme usted, compadre (1968), directed by Germán Becker
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 García, Marisol. "Gloria Simonetti". MusicaPopular.cl (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ "La noche en que nació el "Monstruo" del Festival de Viña". 24 Horas (in Spanish). 23 February 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ Pérez, Daniela. "De Gloria Simonetti a Shakira: Festival de Viña del Mar, la fábrica de grandes éxitos". CNN Chile (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Gloria Simonetti". Enciclopedia de Mujeres Artistas de Chile (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ Pulgar, Gabriela (18 August 2025). "Gloria Simonetti y su admiración por Silvio Rodríguez: "Agradeció la versión que hice de Ojalá"". BioBioChile (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 August 2026.
External links
[edit]- Gloria Simonetti at MusicaPopular.cl