cantanti

Cantanti is the plural noun in Italian for singers, and the singular is cantante. The term denotes individuals who perform songs by singing, either professionally or as amateurs. In Italian usage, cantanti can refer to performers across all genres, including opera, pop, folk, jazz, and contemporary music. The word derives from cantare, to sing, with the agent suffix -ante, a productive pattern in Italian for denoting a person who performs an action.

Within the field of music, cantanti are categorized by repertoire, vocal technique, and performance context. Opera singers, or cantanti lirici, train in classical vocal technique and perform in opera houses; within pop and popular genres, cantanti may work as recording artists, live performers, or session singers.

Notable cantanti include Luciano Pavarotti and Renata Tebaldi, celebrated opera singers; Andrea Bocelli has achieved international recognition in classical crossover and popular music. In pop and contemporary genres, cantanti such as Mina, Adriano Celentano, Laura Pausini, and Eros Ramazzotti are widely known in Italian-speaking regions and internationally. The term also covers emerging artists who may blend genres or specialize in regional or traditional singing styles.

The category reflects a long tradition of vocal performance in Italian culture, and the term is used broadly to describe anyone who sings professionally or as a hobby.