Photo: Diego Pinzon

The competition is still going on! On Monday, another 20 acts competed in semi-final two of Una Voce per San Marino, all trying to join those who qualified from Sunday’s semi-final one and make it through to the Emerging Artists Final on Friday.

In the end, former MESC applicant Kurt Cassar, Katrin Roselli (Artika) and Lorenza Rocchiccioli became the lucky three acts to qualify directly for the Emerging Artists Final.

Another five acts have qualified for the second chance show on Thursday, where they’ll get the chance to perform again for a spot in the Emerging Artists Final. They are Giada Varaschin, Gisele Abramoff, Kumi Watanabe, Mad and Maria Chiara Leoni.

The Emerging Artists Final will take place on Friday, where nine acts will make it through to Saturday’s grand final. These nine be joined on Saturday by the ten established artists, including Sanremo 2022 star Achille Lauro.

Una Voce per San Marino: Emerging artists semi-final two results

Three acts qualified for the Emerging Artists Final are:

  • Katrin Roselli (Artika) – “If You Love Me”
  • Kurt Cassar – “Tears of Gold”
  • Lorenza Rocchiccioli – “Non Mi Batte Mai Neanche Il Cuore”

Five acts qualified for the second chance are:

  • Giada Varaschin – “W.A.T. (What A Tragedy)”
  • Gisele Abramoff – “Higher Than Before”
  • Kumi Watanabe – “Freedom”
  • Mad – “Gitana
  • Maria Chiara Leoni – “Tiramisu

Semi-final two acts qualified for the Emerging Artists Final

Katrin Roselli (Artika) – “If You Love Me”

Photo: Diego Pinzon

 

Katrin Roselli, also known as Artika, is a 23-year-old singer/songwriter and performer.

When she was 16, she twice travelled to New York to perform with Broadway singers, and one of the most significant experiences for her was singing at The Bitter End, one of the most prestigious clubs in New York.

She previously collaborated with DJ Leonardo Lazzarin on the song “Another Time”, which she wrote and composed herself. At the same time, she competed in the Festival Show in 2018 and was a finalist in the top 14.

https://youtu.be/aWNUHWUjL7I

Kurt Cassar – “Tears of Gold

Photo: Diego Pinzon

 

Kurt Cassar is a 27-year-old Maltese singer. He focuses mostly on the genre of soul. Kurt may be known by  some Eurovision fans, as he made the shortlist for Malta Eurovision Song Contest in 2015, 2016 and 2018; however, he was sadly never picked for the live shows. He has managed to appear on the MESC stage, though – Kurt was one of the backing singers for Eurovision winner Emelie de Forrest during her appearance at MESC 2014 (Edit 15 Feb: To align with his portfolio).

He believes that “Eurovision has always been one of the best showcases that transmits a number of meaningful emotions” .

Kurt has also been active in many music competition shows throughout the year, such as New Wave in Russia, the Festival Show 2017 in Italy and the first edition of X Factor Malta in 2018.

https://youtu.be/ICwpp-cKD-U

Lorenza Rocchiccioli – “Non Mi Batte Mai Neanche Il Cuore

Photo: Diego Pinzon

 

Lorenza Rocchiccioli is 21 years old and hails from Italy. She has been studying hip-hop for ten years but her musical style also mixes soul, pop and R&B. Her favourite artists are Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Jp Cooper and Eurovision 2019 silver medallist Mahmood.

Her most impressive performance was at the Ariston Theatre during the Sanremo Junior International Finals.

https://youtu.be/QdYBGwosfZ8

Semi-final two acts qualified for second chance

Giada Varaschin – “W.A.T. (What A Tragedy)

Photo: Diego Pinzon

 

Giada Varaschin is an 18-year-old singer and songwriter from Italy. She auditioned for X Factor Italia in 2020.

During her two appearances at the Rorai Music Contest with her band, Giada reached second place both times.

https://youtu.be/lUIw3dwwerA

Gisele Abramoff – “Higher Than Before

Photo: Diego Pinzon

 

Gisele Abramoff is an international pop/dance singer and songwriter with a Brazilian flair.

Living for 14 years in Germany, Gisele shows a new facet after her successful background on dance and house music. She has a loyal fan base and presented the songs from her debut album Dreams at the Marafolia Festival for a 30,000 people audience. She also appeared on the three editions of Planet Pop Festival.

https://youtu.be/ZYQfOufuO_k

Kumi Watanabe – “Freedom

Photo: Diego Pinzon

 

Kumi Watanabe‘s father is Japanese and her mother is Italian. She studied at IMW in London in 2008, where she had the opportunity to meet world-renowned artists. At the same time, she has done a lot of research in linguistics and that’s why she can speak five languages.

She has performed duets with Franco Battiato as well as opened concerts for Vasco Rossi, Deep Purple, Jeff Beck and many others.

https://youtu.be/gw2JE-I9cFg

Mad – “Gitana

Photo: Diego Pinzon

 

Mad is a singer-songwriter. She participated in X Factor 2021.

In 2019, she participated in Amici and won Je So Pazz di Pino Daniele.

https://youtu.be/NBhzO5657_8

Maria Chiara Leoni – “Tiramisu

Photo: Diego Pinzon

 

Maria Chiara Leoni is a girl who loves to experiment and challenge herself. She has a style that mixes soul and pop.

Maria has previously won the CantaRio competition.

https://youtu.be/7YmowbPq2-Q

What did you think of Una Voce per San Marino semi-final two? Are you excited about the grand final on Saturday? Let us know in the comments below.

11 Comments
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Craig
Craig
2 years ago

So far this is truly the worst national final I’ve ever seen, both in terms of songs and singers. I’ve had to lower the volume on my computer because some of them are so bad. I just hope the established singers bring something better otherwise San Marino are doomed this year.

lemonpeep
lemonpeep
2 years ago
Reply to  Craig

Well, idk what you expected lol, it’s San Marino not Sweden Rtv is like a small regional television, so I mean, it was kinda predictable, they don’t have the money to organise something like other countries I agree that there are some contestants that are terrible singers (like, really terrible) but some others are not that bad. The main problem is the mixing, even Loreen’s Euphoria would have sounded terrible if performed that way (on a small stage, no backup singers, no dancers: just you and terrible mixing). EDIT: And also (no offense to the country obviously) have you ever… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by lemonpeep
Briekimchi
Briekimchi
2 years ago

San Marino RTV are JUST putting some of the first SF performances on their youtube channel now.
Currently, you either have to rely on fan channels on YT or watch the full shows on the broadcasters’ website to see all performances.

John
John
2 years ago

I pray to God one of the established artists has a great song. At this point I would even take Achille’s Domenica if he wants to use it.

Fabio
Fabio
2 years ago
Reply to  John

I don’t think he will sing Domenica. He just released a full album, so he can use any of the other songs too.

Last edited 2 years ago by Fabio
pretty_polly
pretty_polly
2 years ago

These unintentionally hilarious sammarinese semifinals are the best thing I never knew I needed in my life. Where else could one see a song titled Tiramisu, a British drag queen and Emmelie de Forest’s former backup singer competing for their ticket to Torino all in the same evening (and in a hall that resembles a high school auditorium).

Alex
Alex
2 years ago
Reply to  pretty_polly

lmao exactly how i feel!!

is there a British drag queen?

at this stage it looks like this is a good trick from SMRTV to make people visit San Marino and pay for their own expenses and thus increase tourism and income for locals!

Craig
Craig
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Claudia F in semi-final two was a drag queen but got eliminated. Their real name is Giorgio Borghes so I suspect they might be an Italian drag queen rather than a British one

Kaija
Kaija
2 years ago
Reply to  pretty_polly

Yes, it is exactly what I wanted to be.
Don’t understand how there are people who expected something “better”?

Max
Max
2 years ago

OMG Kurt Cassar is so hot!

beccaboo1212
2 years ago

Good choices!