publishing worldwide
Francesca Messina, known by her artistic name Femina Ridens, embarked on her musical journey in the 1990s as the lead vocalist of the Jubilee Shouters, a vocal ensemble with whom she recorded the album Black and Blue for Sensible Records. Her distinctive voice also graced prominent RAI television programs, marking her early presence in the Italian music scene. She later expanded her artistic horizons, participating in a theatrical tour of the musical Porgy and Bess, performing in major Italian venues alongside pianist Mauro Grossi.
In the late 1990s, Messina’s voice found new expression in the dance project Lady Violet with New Music International, which propelled her to international acclaim and earned her a gold record. This success opened doors to further theatrical and musical ventures, but ultimately, she chose to channel her creativity into a more personal project, Femina Ridens. Under this name, she recorded her debut album, Femina Ridens (2013), followed by Schiaffi (2015), both of which garnered praise within the Italian independent music scene for their raw emotion and artistic integrity.
As Francesca Messina herself reflects, "I sing for the inadequate, the furious, the dissatisfied, the retarded, the unfuckable, and the withered. I sing for the confident ones, ready to fight and exult at any age." Through these words, she captures the essence of her music—an unapologetic voice for those on the margins, for the defiant, and for those who refuse to be silenced. Femina Ridens is not just an artistic persona; it is a voice of rebellion, resilience, and unfiltered expression.