Sanremo plays host to the stars

Singers from all over the world converged on the town of Sanremo in western Liguria, Italy to participate in the popular music festival.

The show on Thursday was themed Viva l’Italia and was dedicated to home-grown songs that have become international hits.

Interpreting the songs were the 14 artistes participating in the festival’s main category – some of who have been eliminated – together with a veritable who’s who of the international music scene.

Among the highlights was surely the performance by Brian May and English stage singer Kerry Ellis who accompanied Zucchero’s daughter, Irene Fornaciari, in a rendition of Uno dei tanti or I (Who Have Nothing) originally sung by Joe Sentieri. The trio then performed Queen’s We Will Rock You.

“Godmother of Punk” Patti Smith received a standing ovation after she accompanied alternative rock band Marlene Kuntz in Impressioni di Settembre (The World Became the World) by PMF or Premiata Forneria Marconi. The dishevelled Ms Smith then sang what is perhaps her greatest hit, Because the Night, which she penned with Bruce Springsteen.

Another artiste to get a standing ovation was Puerto Rican singer José Feliciano who accompanied Arisa on guitar in a rendition of Che sarà or Que Sera. The artiste, who has been blind since birth, then paid homage to Sanremo’s compere, Gianni Morandi, by singing his popular C’era un ragazzo che come me. Mr Morandi was visibly touched by this gesture.

Other interesting duets included Emma and English singer Gary Go who performed Il paradiso or If Paradise Is Half as Nice, as it is known internationally. They then sung Gary Go’s hit Wonderful.

Pierdavide Carone and Lucio Dalla sang Anima e core with Danish singer-songwriter Mads Langer who later sat at the piano and performed with Mr Carone the song that catapulted him to international fame, the cover version of You’re Not Alone by British band Olive.

Duo Gigi D’Alessio and Loredana Bertè were accompanied by American r’n’b singer Macy Gray in a rendition of Mia Martini’s Almenu tu nell’universo.

Nina Zilli was accompanied by Morcheeba’s lead singer, Skye, in a performance of Mina’s Grande, grande, grande (Never, Never, Never) and Morcheeba’s Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day.

Other duets included Jamaican-American reggae star Shaggy, mostly known for his hit Boombastic, and Chiara Civello; English rapper Professor Green and Dolcenera; Noemi and Sarah Jane Morris; and Matia Bazar and US singer Al Jarreau.

Samuele Bersani was accompanied by Serb-Croat musician Goran Bregović and Eugenio Finardi performed with the melodious Israeli singer Noa.

The five-day festival wraps up tonight.