Italian singer-songwriter Gino Paoli, one of the defining voices of post-war Italian music and a leading figure of the scuola genovese, has died at the age of 91. His family said he passed away peacefully during the night.

Born in Monfalcone in 1934 but closely identified with Genoa, Paoli became one of the most influential names in Italian musica leggera, shaping generations of artists with a style that blended literary sensitivity with emotional directness. He was behind some of the country's most enduring songs, including Il cielo in una stanza, Sapore di sale and Senza fine.

His breakthrough came in the early 1960s when Il cielo in una stanza, performed by Mina, became a major success and established him as one of Italy's foremost songwriters. Over the decades, his music explored love in all its complexity, often with a tone that was both intimate and melancholic.

Paoli's personal life frequently attracted public attention. He had a long artistic and romantic relationship with Ornella Vanoni, to whom he dedicated several songs, and later a widely discussed relationship with actress Stefania Sandrelli. In 1963, during a difficult period, he survived a suicide attempt after shooting himself in the chest.

After stepping away from the spotlight for part of the late 1960s and 1970s, Paoli returned to prominence in the 1980s. His later career included Una lunga storia d'amore, the album Insieme with Vanoni, and continued appearances on major stages, including Sanremo.

Beyond music, Paoli also entered public life, serving as a member of Italy's Chamber of Deputies after being elected in 1987 with the backing of the Communist Party, while sitting with the independent left.

He remained active in music until recent years, ending a career that left a lasting imprint on Italian culture.