A short edition of Rita’s biography.

RITA is by far the most celebrated and successful singer in Israel. In 2008 she was voted number 1 female singer in a special countdown for Israel’s 60th anniversary. Twenty five years after her career began, RITA continues to prove, with crowded theatres and stadiums alike and with multi-platinum albums, that she is by far the biggest female vocalist Israel has to offer.

Her unique voice has gained worldwide attention many times. On 2009 her first American single “Love has begun” is penetrating the American music charts and conquering a respectful place in the top 40! RITA was nominated for the New Music Weekly Awards as “Top 40 Breakthrough Artist for 2009”.

Rita became the hottest star overnight in 1986 following her performance in the pre-Eurovision song contest with the song “Shvil Habriha” (“The Escape Path”). In the same year she released her self titled debut album, “Rita”, which was produced by Kleinstein. This is the best selling debut album of all time in Israel. In March 1988 Rita released her second album, “Yemmey Hatom” (“Days Of Innocence”). It achieved triple platinum status and is considered as one of the cornerstones of Israeli music. That same year Rita was selected to represent Israel in the Eurovision song contest with the song “Shara Barehovot” (“Sings In The Streets”). In 1994, about 6 years after her previous studio album, Rita released her third record, “Ahava Gdola” (“Great Love”) which also reached triple platinum sales.

During the “Great Love” tour of 1996, Rita released the quadruple platinum selling compilation “Tahanot Bazman” (“Milestones”) marking a decade in Rita’s career. “Tiftah Halon” (“Open A Window”) was released, Rita’s fourth studio album, in the end of 1999. It was a double album that featured renowned musicians such as Rami Kleinstein, Shlomo Arzi, Lea Shabat, and others. “Tiftah Halon” is considered as the most expensive record ever produced in Israel and achieved quintuple gold status to this day. In March 2003 Rita released her sixth studio album, “Hamzan” (“Oxygen”). Rita wrote the lyrics for two songs on this album which included other writers such as Shlomo Arzi, Yair Lapid, Aviv Gefen, and more.

In July 2006 Rita launched the show “One”, directed by Hanoh Rozen and conducted by Rami Kleinstein. The production, whose cost reached 20 million Israeli Shekels, was a breakthrough in Israel being a rare combination of experimental visuals and music. The show was performed about 30 times, day after day. During this month about 80,000 people attended the show, despite the fact that all shows ceased due to the Second Lebanon War which broke out on the day of the premiere. Both a DVD and live album were released following the show.

Rita began working with classical ensembles and with acoustic versions of her music, revealing a new side of herself to her devoted audience. Her efforts led her to release her latest intimate album “Remazim” (“Hints”) produced by Israeli rock star, Ivri Lider. Music critics called it an important landmark in Rita’s career, and within two months it achieved a platinum status. The album was followed by an extensive long tour, which was accompanied by various intimate concerts.

During 2009 Rita’s song “Love Has Begun” topped the adult contemporary and indie charts in the US and she was selected as most promising act for 2009.

For the first Tel-Aviv Music Festival (October 2009) Rita collaborated with the Israeli band Knessiat Hassehel. The unique collaboration achieved critical acclaim, and as part of it they released to the radio their mutual song “Dai La’Keev” (“No More Pain”) – original lyrics to a traditional Persian melody, from Rita’s childhood home. The song became a big hit on Israeli radio stations.

In 2010, Rita took part in a student film production called “Son Coming Home”, by the promising young director Elad Zakai. The film was accompanied by the song “Boi Imma” (“Come Mother”), Rita’s adaptation to the classic children’s song. That same year, Rita published her first children’s book, “Shiraz’s heart”. The story is based on Persian folklore Rita has heard many times as a child, and told many times as a mother. The illustrations, by Vali Mintzi, are inspired by the rich artistic world of Persian Jews. “Shiraz’s Heart” is in Tzomet Sfarim’s Best Sellers list.
During 2010 Rita has also participated in Ilai Botner’s album. For the first time in her career, Rita took part in another artist’s work as a singer, and not as a partner and creator. Their mutual song “Kol Zikaron Hozer” (“Returning Memory”), written by Ilai Botner with Rita’s contributions, became a radio hit.
Also in 2010 Rita has produced a new concert, “Closer than Ever”, a series of intimate shows at the Zappa Club in Tel Aviv, in which Rita has performed for the first time. The shows were very successful.

In addition to being a successful Singer, RITA, a graduate of one of the most respected acting schools in Israel, has performed in dozens of plays and movies. In 1989 Rita won “Actress of the Year” in the Israeli cinema awards.

Throughout her career Rita has sold over a million copies of her albums, has won dozens awards acknowledging her contribution and talent and was named the Best Female Performer and Singer of Israel.

These days she is working on a world music oriented album along side well known Israeli music producers. The album is due to be released next year.