The Journey

Ever since the age of five, when she first began singing opera at the dinner table, Francesca Blandizzi has been sharing her gift of music in song. She is at home in many genres: jazz, blues, musical theatre, folk and pop. Ms. Blandizzi has sung as a guest and solo artist in a wide variety of locations such as the Kobayashi Hall, Enwave Theatre (formally Du Maurier Theatre), Le Select Bistro, Leah Posluns Theatre, Renaissance Café and Theatre Aurora, to name a few. Some of her mentors and past teachers include Peggy Mahon, Danny McErlain, Louise Lambert. Ms. Blandizzi's background as a performer encompasses training in voice, piano, guitar, acting, Latin dance, jazz dance and African hand drumming.

Ms. Blandizzi is not only an accomplished singer, but she is also a prolific songwriter whose compositions have been described as having a "soothing, relaxing and rejuvenating" effect on her listeners. Others have acknowledged her work as being "raw, vibrant and alive". Without a doubt, the common element in all of her songs is that honest, gutsy, soulful quality that never fails to touch the listener. She has the gift of being able to draw from the wide spectrum of human experience and, using the medium of music, give voice to the tender matters of the heart.

"To me," said Ms. Blandizzi in a recent conversation with fellow-artist and colleague, Emiko Hsuen, "it's like calling on the divine. The music has to be linked to the divine in order for me to sing authentically. So, while the lyrics aren't necessarily spiritual, the delivery is definitely from a spiritual place."

For the second year now, Ms. Blandizzi has taken on a new role as Producer for The Naked Emperor. A yearly event in Toronto helping to showcase established and promising artists, while giving back to the community by donating 50% of the profits to charities.

Music is Ms. Blandizzi's vocation in life: she intends to continue sharing with her listeners the gift of healing through song, as well as develop new ways to support and encourage other artists in their individual journeys towards success.

Special Thanks from Francesca

"A special heartfelt thanks to my family, dear friends and colleagues, who have helped me on this musical journey, for which I’m so grateful. I thank you so much for your support and help along the way."

"But there is suffering in life, and there are defeats. No one can avoid them. But it's better to lose some of the battles in the struggles for your dreams than to be defeated without ever knowing what you're fighting for."

- Paulo Coelho