Italian broadcaster, RAI, has revealed how it will choose Italy’s first Eurovision Song Contest entry since 1997. As expected, the Sanremo festival will be used to find the song and singer, although the winner won’t necessarily be the choice.
The festival is not just about the winner as other prizes are also awarded, such as the Mia Martini prize for the best singer. This year, a jury will decide which of the songs will be the entry and it could be any of the 14 songs in the festival. The hopefuls are:
Patty Pravo
Moda’
Luca Madonia & Franco Battiato
Giusy Ferreri
La Crus
Anna Oxa
Tricarico
Nathalie
Al Bano
Luca Barbarossa & Raquel del Rosario
Roberto Vecchioni
Anna Tatangelo
Max Pezzali
Davide Van De Sfroos
Franco Battiato, Anna Oxa, Al Bano and Luca Barbarosa have all been in the Eurovision Song Contest before. Anna Tatangelo found fame by winning the Nuove Proposte (Newcomers) section in 2002. Patty Pravo is always more popular with the Italian public than her previous results suggest so don’t be surprised if she is chosen to represent Italy.
The Sanremo festival takes place from 15th to 19th February, so the song that will herald Italy’s long awaited return should be known around that time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdrIbnAqnG4
