Quebecois singer/songwriter Nicola Ciccone displayed a talent and affinity for writing music early in life. He began writing at the age of 12; his first compositions were English-language songs, but it was his French material that gained him recognition, starting in his late teen years. In 1998, at age 24, Ciccone won the Ma Premiere Place de Arts. His first recording contract was soon to follow. While studying child psychology at McGill University in Montreal, Ciccone released his debut record, L'Opera du Mendiant (The Opera of the Beggar), in 1999. In addition to great criti...