The confirmations just keep coming in. Next to break the good news is Italy, the last of the Big Five to confirm their participation in Eurovision 2017.
RAI made the announcement on social media, with an English message reading, “Save the date! May 2017: Italy will take part in the #Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv!”
Save the date! May 2017: Italy will take part in the #Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv! #escita
— Eurovision Rai (@EurovisionRai) September 16, 2016
Italy’s method of selecting their act has not been confirmed, but it’s very likely that the winner of the 2017 Sanremo Music Festival will have first refusal at being Italy’s act for Kyiv. Sanremo is due to take place on the week of 7 to 11 February 2017, again hosted by the legendary permatanned presenter Carlo Conti.
Since Italy came back to Eurovision in 2011, they’ve established themselves as a power player, and are by far the most successful of the Big Five.
In 2015, popera trio Il Volo placed third with their epic love song “Grande amore”, also winning the televote — and the hearts of many new fans. Il Volo’s success revitalised the appeal of Eurovision amongst Italian reviewers, prompting RAI to shift the Eurovision broadcast to its main channel, RAI 1.
In Stockholm earlier this year, Sanremo runner-up Francesca Michelin performed “No Degree of Separation”, a bilingual version of her Sanremo song “Nessun grado di separazione”. It placed 16th.
Traditionally the participating acts for Sanremo are announced in mid-December, when all of Italy stops to discover who will be competing for the big prize – and indeed who also may be representing their country in Ukraine next May.
Who would you like to see represent Italy at Eurovision? Can Italy win in Kyiv? Share your thoughts below!
Annalisa please
In interview with William Lee Adams, he asks if Il Volo keeps in touch with 2015 artists, and Il Volo says : yes but we can’t tell who, then William says something I don’t understand at 5:13. What is it ?
In 2017 it wili be man or men group and another TOP 10 for Italy
2011 man 2 place, 2013 man 7 place 2015 man group 3 place
2012 woman 9 place, 2014 woman 21 place, 2016 woman 16 place
I don’t like their national selection, it’s the only one I never follow. And they were criminally overrated in 2015, “Grande Amore” is just recycled pop opera talking about love. How original…
The best Italian entry is by far 2012.
Il Volo!! 🙂
Can’t wait to see the Sanremo entry list in December. It would be nice to see Marco Mengoni return. He due for a new album early 2017, and a Sanremo entry would make a great first single.
@KennyESC – I’m a fan of Arisa’s artistry, I understand that she’s usually messy and insufferable, but you can’t deny her talent. “Controvento” was so going to end up really high in 2014, the juries would’ve eaten it up! As for the rappers, I agree with you, they need to stay out. I’m not a fan of rap music as I’m more country/folk/rock-oriented and I wouldn’t be able to name you an Italian rap song I enjoy. Yas @ Milan 2018, I’m from a town half an hour away and I study at there!
@Alenn Well no, thank God the juries saved Sweden. They did it right. Grande Amore was a average overrated drama ballad. They should send Tiziano Ferro or something in that style! Italy will win soon. Np!
Francesca Michielin or Marco Mengoni should return. They were the best 🙂 but i wanna suggest Annalisa,Alessandra Amoroso,Chiara & Laura Pausini 😀
@Loo:
They send 3 of them in 2015, and still didn’t manage to win!
(I know..Bad, bad, Swedish-friendly juries! ????)
All Italy has to do to win is to send a handsome man with a big italian power ballad about love. Amore!
Thank you, khm. 😉
@MrBrightside, it was already said the final list will be revealed by the end of December or beginning of January.
Love Francesca Michielin, so happy to see talented and beautiful woman who don’t try to be sexy. Actually this is attractive, when you don’t try to be obviously sexy.
Robyn – is that mean that we get the full list of participants in an early October? 🙂
Is there any deadline for national broadcasters for sending their applications? I read on Wikipedia (I know, poor source, but anyway) that the countries may send their applications until 15 September. Is that mean that only 31 countries are going to participate next year? 😮
@Polegend Godgarina omg I wasn’t expecting you to be italian too lol Btw I’m hoping for Annalisa Scarrone to rapresent Italy, with a “Splende”-like song(even if I personally like “Scintille”more, I think a Scintille-like song wouldn’t have many points and be considered like I Wanna.). If not her, then I hope for Malika Ayane with “Senza fare sul serio”(but after the results of Francesca this year..). I just hope we don’t send that dumb Arisa(but actually “Controvento”isn’t bad. It’s just that I hate Arisa.), or some italian rapper,es. Baby K or Fedez. I mean, not that they do bad songs(i… Read more »
Great news! I always look forward to hearing what Italy sends. If there is going to be another Big 5 winner in the near future, it will be Italy.
Hoping for something akin to 2012-2014 for them next year. Forza Italia!
I want Gusy Ferreri too.She is great and well known.Please send a song in italian.Your language is amazing.
I want Giusy Ferreri to represent my country. We would have yet another talented, classy, outstanding entry. If not her, then Alessandra Amoroso – she’s great at screaming, and the juries seem to love this! 😉
my request for italy– please have a normal selection process like the rest of europe, per favore!
and please no more female singers! 😛