Mara Maionchi (who will be based in Rome) and Gabriele Corsi (present in Malmo) will comment for Italy
It’s all set at the Malmö Arena in Sweden for Eurovision Song Contest. To participate in the Malmo edition, from 7 to 11 May, representing 37 countries, there will be twenty-seven solo singers (eighteen women, nine men), seven duets (three male, one female, three mixed) and three groups (two mixed and one male). These days everyone is busy with the first tests in Sweden. They will be Mara Maionchi (which will have a location in Rome) e Gabriele Corsi (present in Malmo), host of the event for the fourth year, to comment on the event for Italy.
“It doesn’t happen but if it happens again I’m ready to dress up as Abba together with Maionchi,” Corsi declared during the presentation press conference. Mara Maionchi, reconfirmed for the second consecutive year, stated: “I approach this second edition with great attention. I had a bit of trouble getting into it because I’m a bit older. I hope this year to be even more deserving.”
ANGELINA MANGO: “I DON’T THINK ABOUT COMPETITION” – Angelina, present in connection from Malmo, commented: “I did the first rehearsals in the room with the dancers and I am calmer. Sharing the stage with other people is a major upgrade and I like to show my fun. When I arrived I was afraid of everything but now I’m more calm and I want to enjoy the stage. Despite all the various superstitions, I don’t want to think about the competition because we are here to celebrate music and the union of all countries.”
SPOILER FOR ANGELINA’S PERFORMANCE – In recent hours, some images of the dress rehearsals of Angelina Mango’s performance have been circulating on the Web. The singer-songwriter was not present but there was a stunt double on stage. It is absolutely forbidden to reproduce and disseminate clips relating to singers’ rehearsals. Simona Martorelli, director of International Relations, declared: “We didn’t know and we immediately reported the incident. A cybersecurity problem has been ruled out. We immediately involved the management of the Eurovision Song Contest.”
WHEN AND WHERE IT WILL BE AIRED – The two Semi-finals will be broadcast on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 9 May in prime time on Rai 2, starting at 9pm and will be preceded by two previews from 8.15pm to 8.30pm. It will also be possible to follow the two events on RaiPlay and in simulcast on Rai Radio 2 and on Digital Terrestrial Channel 202.
NEWS AT EUROVISION – All representatives of the Big 5 (Italy, France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom), together with the host country, Sweden, will perform live during the semi-finals. Although they are already qualified by right for the Final, they will have the opportunity to present their songs in full version as a preview to the public and viewers (not with a simple extract, as in the past).
THE ORDER OF PERFORMANCES – The very young Silia Kapsis will open the dance, representing Cyprus, followed by the Serbian Teya Dora: the Croatian Baby Lasagna, who with his punk rock is among the most awaited competitors, will perform in position number 7: the parade of semi-finalists on Tuesday will be closed by Tali, who with “Fighter” brings Luxembourg back into the competition after 30 years. On Thursday 9 May the Maltese Sarah Bonnici will perform first. Angelina Mango will present her “La noia” to Europe as the fourth to last, out of competition like all the “Big Five”. The Swiss Nemo will perform in position number 5. Closing the race, preceded by the Norwegians Gåte, will be the Dutch Joost Klein with “Europapa”. San Marino will be represented by the Spanish Megara.
THE GRAND FINALE – The final evening of the competition is on Saturday 11 May at 8.40pm on Rai 1. Hosting the three evenings on the generalist networks, telling the Italian public about the great continental festival from the country of ABBA (this year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of their Eurovisual affirmation with “Waterloo”). In the final, 26 songs representing as many nations will compete. Italy will be represented by Angelina Mango, the first woman to win the Sanremo Festival after ten years, with “La noia”.
