The 76th Sanremo Music Festival opened in a powerful atmosphere of emotion and remembrance. “Good evening and welcome to the Italian Song Festival, the Sanremo Festival”: the iconic voice of Pippo Baudo echoed through the theatre, as the orchestra played the historic theme composed by Pippo Caruso, and the Ariston audience chanted his name.
“This is the first Sanremo without Pippo Baudo, who invented the Festival as we know it today,” said host Carlo Conti, greeting Baudo’s children and long-time collaborator Dina Minna.
The competition was officially opened by last year’s winner Olly, whose Balorda nostalgia had the entire theatre singing along. A standing ovation followed for Peppe Vessicchio, celebrated through archival footage and tributes from former hosts.
Homages were also paid to Angela Luce, Tony Dallara, Sandro Giacobbe and Gianni Pettenati, while Conti remembered Maurizio Costanzo, who passed away three years ago. A tribute to Ornella Vanoni is scheduled for the following night.
The evening’s superguest was Tiziano Ferro, celebrating 25 years of Xdono. “Carlo Conti was the first to believe in me and bring this song to television,” he said.
Performances followed across the city, with Gaia at the Suzuki Stage and Max Pezzali on the floating Costa stage.
The competition featured a wide range of artists, while a deeply moving moment came from Ermal Meta, who dedicated Stella stellina to Amal, a Palestinian child killed in the conflict.
The night also brought spectacle, with an encounter between two generations of Sandokan: Kabir Bedi and Can Yaman, and a moment of civic memory honouring Gianna Pratesi, 105, among the first Italian women to vote in 1946.
The provisional press jury rankings placed Arisa, Fulminacci, Serena Brancale, Ditonellapiaga and the duo Fedez–Marco Masini among the most appreciated acts.
An opening night that blended memory, music and contemporary relevance, setting the tone for a Festival deeply rooted in its history, yet firmly focused on the present.