Antoine Ciosi, major Corsican singer, dies at 94

Antoine Ciosi, a prominent figure in Corsican music, passed away at the age of 94 in the village of Curzo in Corbara on the night of October 3-4, 2026.

Ciosi’s career spanned over six decades, beginning with his work in Parisian theater before he rose to fame at the first Corsican song festival held at the Olympia in 1963. His performance of ‘Paese spentu’ earned him the first prize and marked a pivotal shift toward dedicating his artistry to Corsican themes such as exile, village life, and cultural memory.

Throughout his career, he released approximately thirty to forty albums, becoming a vital link in the transmission of Corsican identity. In his later years, he focused on passing his legacy to younger generations through his ‘Ultimu Giru’ tour and the ‘Duetti’ project, collaborating with emerging artists like Diana Saliceti and Léa Antona.