The Prima Serata of the 73rd Festival di Sanremo is here! We listened to the first 14 songs of this year’s Festival for the first time and, at the end of the evening, found out the jury of journalists‘ voting (i.e. print and TV journalists by 33%, website journalists by 33% and radio journalists by 33%).
Amadeus, together with Gianni Morandi and Chiara Ferragni, were the presenters of the first night. There were also several guest appearances, including Mahmood and Blanco, winners of last year’s Sanremo and representatives of Italy at the Eurovision 2022 contest in Turin.
The show started with a greeting by the president of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, followed by an appearance by legendary italian comedian Roberto Benigni.
The performances
Anna Oxa – Sali (Canto dell’anima)
A veteran of the Sanremo Festival, as this year it is her 15th participation! She won in 1989 and 1999. She also represented Italy in Eurovision 1989. This year she returns after 12 years with a dramatic song where she showcases her vocal skills. A very good start to the Festival!
gIANMARIA – Mostro
A very strong performance and an emotional song from the young singer, who won Sanremo Giovani and is making his Sanremo debut this year.
Mr.Rain – Superheroes
First appearance at the Festival for the rapper Mr. Rain with a rap ballad accompanied by the piano. A children’s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYu0qJ0EJM8choir makes an appearance during the song. Admittedly a very moving performance.
Marco Mengoni – Due vite
The winner of Sanremo 2013 and Italy’s representative in Eurovision 2013 with the song L’essenziale returns to the Festival this year. One of the big favorites to win this year as well, ten years after his win in 2013. The song Due vite is the singer’s third participation in Sanremo. A strong dramatic song and an excellent vocal performance shows that the singer is rightfully a favourite.
Ariete – Mare di guai
A vintage slow song with a romantic presentation by the young singer.
Ultimo – Alba
Winner of Sanremo Giovani 2018, runner-up at Sanremo 2019 and the second big favorite of this year’s Festival. The song is in the same style as the singer’s previous entries and the performance is, as his performances usually are, very strong and passionate.
Coma_Cose – L’addio
Second appearance for the duo at the Sanremo Festival after 2021. A touching song that tells a personal story of the duet.
Elodie – Due
Fan favorite Elodie returns to Sanremo with a dynamic song with funk elements. A demanding vocal performance, which the singer manages to pull off.
Leo Gassman – Terzo cuore
After his appearance at Sanremo Giovani 2019, the young singer returns with a more rhythmic pop song that seems to be a crowd pleaser.
I Cugini di Campagna – Lettera 22
First appearance at the Festival, surprisingly, for the group that already completes 53 years of career. The song is classic Italian pop with lots of retro elements.
Gianluca Grignani – Quando ti manca il fiato
Seventh participation in the Festival for the rock singer. A classic Italian pop rock piece with a strong performance.
Olly – Polvere
A very rhythmic song by another Sanremo Giovani finalist, in complete contrast to what we have heard so far.
Colla Zio – Non mi va
A boy band with a funky rhythmic song that manages to fill the stage.
Mara Sattei – Duemilaminuti
Her first appearance in Sanremo. A very classy and excellent vocal performance for the last song of the night.
The results
At the end of the night, we found out the journalist’s voting of the first set of this year’s songs. The results were the following:
- Marco Mengoni
- Elodie
- Coma_Cose
- Ultimo
- Leo Gassman
- Mara Sattei
- Colla Zio
- I Cugini di Campagna
- Mr. Rain
- Gianluca Grignani
- Ariete
- gIANMARIA
- Olly
- Anna Oxa
Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all news regarding our favorite five-day Sanremo festival and Italy’s participation in Eurovision 2023!
