Weeks before the start of the 75th edition, the pop music competition is already in the spotlight: in newspapers, on television, and on social media. Interviews with the candidates appear daily in the newspapers, and the magazine "TV Sorrisi e Canzoni" traditionally published the first major photo series with gossip a week before the spectacle begins.

Music and Lots of Spectacle: Sanremo in a State of Emergency Before 75th Anniversary

In the otherwise tranquil town on the Italian Riviera, numerous employees of the broadcasting public service broadcaster RAI are bustling around weeks before the event begins, preparing everything for the big influx of fans. In the city center, they have already set up a large stage for public viewing, closed off streets, and installed barriers in front of the Teatro Ariston to keep onlookers away from the red carpet. The alley to the theater with its bars and shops resembles a security zone. "Che follia" - what madness, says an annoyed barista. After five days, a winner is crowned - and thus automatically Italy's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC). Even when Sanremo returns to normality - for a while, the conversations of Italians at the bar counter or at the supermarket checkout will still revolve around the (alleged) scandals of the concluded edition.

There was, for example, the outburst of singer Blanco two years ago. Because he couldn't hear his voice in his earpiece, he trampled the rose decoration on the stage and threw it through the air. A few evenings later, rapper Rosa Chemical rubbed and wiggled his bottom on the lap of his rapper colleague Fedez in the audience during his performance - followed by an intimate French kiss between the two. In the days that followed, there was wild debate about it. The Lega party of Italy's right-wing populist Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini called the scene undignified - one must also think of the children watching.

Sanremo Festival: Oldest Pop Music Competition in Europe

The "Festival della Canzone Italiana," as it is officially called, is the oldest pop music competition in Europe. Sanremo has been around since 1951. Since then, the singing competition has taken place every year in winter - in the early years still in the Casino of Sanremo, since 1977 in the Teatro Ariston. Originally conceived in 1951 to attract more tourists to this part of the Ligurian coast, the festival has become a success story over time. The first major success was Domenico Modugno's performance in 1958 with his hit "Nel blu dipinto di blu" (or: "Volare o-o, cantare o-o-o-o").

In the following years, musicians who were then less known celebrated their first major successes on the stage of Sanremo. Adriano Celentano, Milva, Gigliola Cinquetti, Lucio Dalla, Iva Zanicchi, Mina, and later the band Måneskin - they all became big stars with their performances in Sanremo. However, the success story was overshadowed in 1967 by a tragic incident: 28-year-old Luigi Tenco performed with his song "Ciao amore ciao" in Sanremo. His entry did not qualify for the final. Offended, he retreated to his room in the Hotel Savoy and took his own life there. Later, the entertainment character of the festival increasingly prevailed. The group Ricchi e Poveri shone in 1981 with their cult song "Sarà perché ti amo". The following year, Al Bano and Romina Power fueled the German longing for Italy with "Felicità". In 1983, Toto Cutugno followed with "L'Italiano".

Music, Spectacle, and Glamour Enchant Millions of Italians at Sanremo Festival

Over time, Sanremo has modernized. Today, artists perform with rap, ska, electronic, or indie rock. One tradition remains: The lyrics of all entries must be in Italian. Lines in dialect or foreign languages are allowed as long as the entry retains an "Italian character". It is this mix of modernity and tradition that excites a very heterogeneous audience night after night. Also remaining is the mix of music, spectacle, and exaggerated glamour, which may seem strange to some non-Italians. While elsewhere the trend is moving away from linear television, the festival brings RAI dream ratings.

The 75th edition is likely to promise another musical spectacle. However, the Italian gossip press also senses potential for conflict: Among the total of 29 candidates are rappers Tony Effe (33) and Fedez (35), who are said to have a feud. "In Sanremo, a cough becomes an earthquake, but that's the beauty of this festival," says Carlo Conti, artistic director and host of this year's edition. For many Italians, somewhat ironically, during the Sanremo week: The music is just an accessory - the surrounding spectacle creates the magic. Nevertheless, millions of Italians do not miss the extremely long final evening to find out live who ultimately convinces with musical talent. Last year, this spectacle lasted until 2:30 in the morning.

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(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.