One of the biggest Eurovision national finals is about to see a huge shake up. Host and artistic director Amadeus has announced that 2024 will be his final time at the helm of the Italy’s premiere music festival.
Amadeus took the role from Claudio Baglioni and hosted his first Sanremo Festival in 2020. Since then, Amadeus has been credited with an increase in the importance and relevance of the Sanremo Festival. More songs are charting in Italy, more are being streamed worldwide, the TV share for Rai has increased from the 2010s, and the Festival’s winners have gone on to do exceptionally well at Eurovision:
- 2020: Diodato (6th with the bookmakers when the Contest was canceled)
- 2021: Måneskin (1st place)
- 2022: Mahmood and Blanco (6th place)
- 2023: Marco Mengoni (4th place)
Interviewed for Il Fatto Quotidiano, Amadeus announced,
“I say it officially: this is my last Festival. Five in a row is a lot. Having equaled Pippo Baudo and Mike Bongiorno is an honour. If in a few years I was asked I could go back, yes in the future but now I have to stop. Even [Gianni] Morandi hosted with me at the age of 78!”
Amadeus also mentioned that he already has a few names in mind as potential co-hosts. He also hasn’t decided on the final number of songs. The 2023 edition saw a record 28 songs participate, as for 2024, it will depend on “the beauty of the songs” submitted.
Asked what his secret is to Sanremo’s recent success, Amadeus had this to say:
“I listen to every song, from the first to the last, hundreds of times, day and night. Without presumption: any musical choice is exclusively mine and I don’t allow anyone to influence me. I make use of two very good colleagues: the author Massimo Martelli and Lavinia Iannarilli, a historical figure of the Festival. They help me with the organization but they don’t know who I will choose. I don’t have an office, I go to the record companies, the majors and meet the independents.”
What do you make of the news? Are you happy or sad to see Amadeus go? Let us know in the comments below or on our socials!
