The musical traditions of Italy and Spain have crossed paths since the Renaissance. Italian composers such as Puccini and Verdi were well-received in Spanish theaters, while Spanish composers developed their own form of opera: the zarzuela.
This musical dialogue continues to this day: we are currently witnessing a new surge in collaborations between artists from Italy and Spain!
From Mediterranean Girls In Music, we're sharing some of our favorites collaborations between Italian and Spanish singers.
Acquamarina - Guè and Ana Mena
In 2023 Ana Mena and Guè collaborated on Acquamarina. Ana Mena's delicate voice, Spanish by birth but also somewhat Italian due to her participation in Sanremo, blends perfectly with Guè's direct bars, one of Italy's greatest rappers. Acquamarina is the perfect summer listen, with a sound that perfectly captures the essence of a Mediterranean summer: sun-soaked beaches and carefree nights.
La Noia - Angelina Mango and Álvaro De Luna
In 2024 we had another Italo-Spanish collaboration: an alternative version of La noia, the song that Angelina Mango brought to Sanremo and the Eurovision Song Contest. In this version the Italian singer teamed up with Álvaro De Luna, one of the most influential names in the Spanish pop-rock scene. The duet brings together two different styles and countries which, as it seems, music always manages to unite.
A un passo dalla luna - Rocco Hunt and Ana Mena
If there is one song that you'd hear everywhere during the summer of 2020, that would be A un passo dalla luna (or A un paso de la luna in Spain). The Salerno-born Rocco Hunt and the Málaga native managed to bring some joy to the pandemic with a collaboration released in both languages. Both expressed being very proud of having created their own sound that blends Italian pop with various rhythms of Spanish music. The chemistry between the artists was such that they decided to collaborate again the following summer with Un bacio all'improvviso (or Un beso de improviso). The two singers share a strong friendship and often praise each other's creativity and professionalism, although they have also joked about their mutual lack of punctuality.
Una volta ancora - Fred De Palma and Ana Mena
The single Una Volta Ancora is a hit etched in everyone's mind because it truly made an impact. The collaboration between Fred De Palma and Ana Mena sparked a musical and artistic chemistry that came to dominate the radio and beaches across Italy. Both the Italian and Spanish versions reached staggering streams, making Ana Mena a music icon here in Italy as well. Other successes from this wonderful duo include the singles D'estate non Vale and Melodia Criminal with Takagi & Ketra, an Italian pop music group of producers.
Mariposas - Sangiovanni and Aitana
Everyone who follows Sanremo knows Farfalle, the song Sangiovanni participated in the festival in 2022 with. In June of the same year was released Mariposas, the Italo-Spanish version that captivated the audience during the cover night of the last edition of the Sanremo festival (2024). The duet was performed by the Italian Sangiovanni and the Spanish Aitana, one of the most famous singers in the country, with verses in both Spanish and Italian. The voices of the two singers blend very well together and convey joy and lightheartedness.
Víveme - Laura Pausini and Alejandro Sanz
Víveme is a collaboration between Laura Pausini and Alejandro Sanz, included in the album 20 - The Greatest Hits (2013). It is a version of Vivimi (2004), the famous song by Laura with the addition of Spanish, characterized by the vocal interpretation of the artists. Alejandro's passionate voice perfectly blends with Laura's, adding an additional depth to the piece. It speaks of a deep and unconditional love. This artistic collaboration won over fans due to its emotional strength and the artistic connection between the two singers.
Soldi - Mahmood and Maikel Delacalle
Soldi, the hit single by Mahmood that won the Sanremo Festival in 2019 and came second at the Eurovision of the same year, achieved great success, sparking the curiosity of Maikel Delacalle, a Spanish rapper and singer. The meeting between the two led to a musical collaboration, resulting in a new version of the single Soldi. Mahmood continued to sing in Italian, while Maikel contributed with impactful Spanish verses that softened the song considerably, giving it more character and an extra rhythm.
Vivo por ella - Andrea Bocelli and Marta Sanchez
Vivo por ella is a classic that is a must-have in talent shows. Seriously. No matter if it's The Voice, Got Talent, or The X Factor: there will always be someone who sings Vivo por ella (and if you're a fan of Operación Triunfo, you probably remember the infamous "poyeya" moment). Originally titled Vivo per lei, this song by tenor Andrea Bocelli was recorded as a duet with his compatriot Giorgia Todrani and adapted into several languages, including German and Hungarian, with female singers from their respective countries.
For the Spanish version, the chosen artist was Marta Sánchez, who had just debuted as a soloist after her time in the music group Olé Olé. The lyrics, originally written by the Italian band O.R.O., were modified to shift from being a song dedicated to a woman to becoming a declaration of love to music. A must for all lovers of the seventh art.