Carmen Curmi
Carmen Curmi (born 16 June 1959) was a singer from Paola. She was married to Joseph Briffa on May 1985 and they have a son Keith. Nowadays, she lives in Ħaż-Żabbar.
Carmen hails from a musical family. Her uncle, Paul Curmi, is the founder of the Paul Curmi Dancers. Her sister, Doris Curmi, was a singer too and Carmen always followed her footsteps.
Carmen started singing at 6 years of age. Her first festival was Crusades Song Festival and she won first place. She took part three times in this festival and even won the festival shield.
When local songwriter Inez Lombardo heard her voice, she started to write songs for her. Carmen took a successful part in numerous song contests. These include, Mellieħa, Birgu, ‘Patri George’'s festival in Senglea, St Paul's Bay, John B. Cassar's Festival in Rabat and iż-Żurrieq. She was a regular weekly guest on television on programme Studio għat-Tfal.
On TV, Carmen met Australian comedian Rolf Harris. Then, at the age of 14, she was invited to go to Canada by the Maltese Canadian society of Toronto, and she spent two months entertaining Maltese emigrants. She even sang on Canadian TV. On her return to Malta, she joined beat group, Four Rings of Żurrieq. They performed at Valletta's Premier, in hotels and weddings. Carmen spent 8 years as the group's vocal.
She sang in Wardakanta festival and Jum il-Ħelsien organized by the Malta Labour Party. She also took part in the Partit Nazjonalista Indipendenza at the Roadhouse at Buskett in Rabat and placed first. Carmen placed second in the General Workers Union Festival. She even used to dance and sing with her uncle's folk group in hotels and on cruise ships.
At 26 years of age, she got married and continued her singing career till she was 38 years old. The last song she recorded was Ħdejn il-Baħar Flimkien for a cd album issued by Phyllisienne Brincat with words and music by Inez Lombardo in 2004.
When she turned 40, unfortunately, Carmen started having thyroid problems and she could not sing any longer.