Barbara Berta

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Barbara Berta (born 29 December 1963) is a Swiss pop singer from Bellinzona, in the Italian-speaking Ticino region. She developed her musical skills early and studied voice and music at the Milan Conservatory in Italy. During her studies, she performed as a singer in several local bands, gaining experience on stage. By the mid-1990s, she was already touring and collaborating with other artists. In 1996, for example, she joined jazz musician Lo Greco and the Bravo Afro-Cuban dance group on tour, which helped her hone her live performance skills. 

Eurovision 1997 and Debut Album

In 1997, Barbara Berta’s career reached a new milestone. Broadcaster RTSI selected her to represent Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Dublin. Berta wrote and composed her entry song, “Dentro di me,” which she performed in Italian. However, the song earned only 5 points and finished 22nd out of 25 entries in the Eurovision final. That same year, Berta released her debut album, also titled Dentro di me, capitalizing on the exposure from Eurovision. The album featured her Eurovision song and other pop tracks that showcased her soulful voice and songwriting abilities. The Eurovision experience introduced Berta to an international audience.

Hiatus and Personal Life

After her initial burst of success in the late 1990s, Berta took an extended break from recording and performing. This hiatus lasted for several years as she stepped away from the spotlight. During this time, she concentrated on her personal life. Notably, she became a mother. Barbara gave birth to a daughter during the years after Eurovision. Consequently, her music career paused while she devoted time to family. Despite being away from the public eye, Berta’s passion for music did not fade. She continued to write songs privately and planned for a future return.

Return with Second Album (2008)

Barbara Berta made a strong comeback in 2008. After more than ten years away from the recording studio, she returned with a second album titled Chi sei?. This album marked a new chapter in her career. It featured a rock-influenced sound and consisted of songs that Berta wrote and composed herself. The title Chi sei? (Italian for “Who are you?”) highlighted her personal growth and musical exploration. The album’s style was edgier than her earlier pop work, reflecting the experiences and maturity she gained during her hiatus. In addition to the album, Berta released new singles around that time. For example, she put out the song “Non lo farò” in 2008 and a ballad called “L’assenza” in 2011. 

Continued Career and Recent Projects

Barbara Berta remained musically active in the years following her comeback. In 2013, she even attempted to return to the Eurovision stage by entering Switzerland’s national selection for the 2014 contest. That same year, she released a new Italian single titled “Perfetto idillio,” in collaboration with the Summit Band. Although she did not end up back on the Eurovision stage, Berta continued creating and performing music. In October 2015 she came out with another single, “Attitude,” further expanding her repertoire in the pop genre. In addition to performing, she also dedicated herself to teaching. Over the past years, Berta has worked as a vocal coach, training students in singing and sharing her experience.

In recent years, Barbara Berta has shown that her passion for music is still alive. She took part in songwriting for the Swiss Eurovision selection again in 2022. Notably, she wrote and produced a new song titled “Beauty Can Change the World” for the 2022 selection, reaffirming her ongoing connection to the contest. Furthermore, she released fresh music in 2022, including the inspirational single Beauty Can Change the World and another track called “Sospesa” (“Suspended”). These songs, released many years after her debut, demonstrate Berta’s continued creativity and evolution as an artist. Today, Barbara Berta remains active in the Swiss music scene. She balances her time between mentoring upcoming singers and pursuing her own musical projects.