It’s the long-running Italian song festival that was also an important stepping stone in Måneskin’s path to global domination. Now Italian broadcaster Rai has confirmed key details of the 2022 edition of the Sanremo Music Festival. Amadeus will again return as the artistic director and host of the contest. As well, the five shows of Sanremo 2022 will return to the usual early February dates.
The news was announced today. Rai CEO Carlo Fuortes and Rai1 director Stefano Coletta confirmed that they had selected Amadeus to return as the artistic director and host of Sanremo 2022.
In a statement, Coletta explained why Amadeus was the obvious choice:
“The musical journey undertaken two years ago by Amadeus marked an important cultural change in the history of the Festival which led the Måneskin, winners of the last edition, to also win the Eurovision Song Contest, important international recognition for the Italian song. It is in this direction of innovation, one of the objectives of the Public Service, that Rai intends to continue to enhance the musical talent in an ever greater way through the most popular television event in the country.”
The news of Amadeus’ return comes as somewhat of a surprise. In June, Coletta said that Amadeus would not be returning to Sanremo 2022. However, at the time Amadeus had also made himself available to pass on his experience for the 2022 edition.
Amadeus has helmed the previous two editions of the Festival di Sanremo.
It’s not yet confirmed if Amadeus’ 2021 co-host Fiorello will return to the 2022 show. Amadeus and Fiorello have a decades-long friendship and professional relationship. Many see his return to the contest as an obvious choice for the 2022 edition.
Sanremo shows also typically involve different nightly co-hosts, usually featuring Italian stars from the music, film and television and modelling worlds. Sanremo 2021 also included nightly appearances from Swedish football icon Zlatan Ibrahimović.
Sanremo 2022 dates confirmed for 1 to 5 February
Rai has also confirmed the dates for Sanremo 2022. The five nightly shows will take place from 1 to 5 February 2022. This means the 2022 edition of of Sanremo will take place in its usual early February period.
The five shows of Sanremo 2021 were moved one month later, in early March. This was due to concerns around the Covid-19 pandemic. The later date gave Rai more time to organise the festival amid new health and safety precautions.
There’s no word yet on whether Sanremo 2022 will have a live audience. The 2021 edition of the contest was unable to have a live audience seated in the famous Ariston Theatre. Amadeus was outspoken over the need for the show to have a live audience and he tried a number of loopholes to allow an audience.
What do you think? What acts would you like to see compete in Sanremo 2022? Who should join Amadeus in co-hosting the shows?
Great news! Amadeus literally elevated this wonderful festivals even to the higher level. He brought a lot of contemporary and interesting artists to the show. If not his vision, maybe we wouldn’t see måneskin winning all these.
I love it, from Sanremo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUzEz38nb6g&list=RDGMEMQ1dJ7wXfLlqCjwV0xfSNbA&index=6&ab_channel=Melox
I’m looking for another gem like Andromeda – Elodie.
Masterpiece woulda won esc
literally. what a damn good song.
Amadeus has been excellent for Sanremo. His being at the helm not only ensures another great year, it also means Italy will have an excellent home entry for Eurovision!
Good.
I think Italy will win again in the near future if they will continue with the direction they started with this year.
where i am, sanremo is very late. but i try to watch at least the final, because Sanremo is always a riot
W Sanremo!