The Italian press claims that the career of any Italian artist begins in San Remo. Over its history, the Italian Song Festival in San Remo has become a stepping stone to the world of music and fame for dozens of young talents. Adriano Celentano, Toto Cutugno, Eros Ramazotti, Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini and other stars of Italian pop music became famous just after winning the Festival in San Remo.
History of the Italian Song Festival in San Remo
The history of the Festival began in 1951 at the San Remo Casino and was a competition between two performers for the best Italian song. Thanks to the radio channel Rai Radio1 (Italian: Rai Radio 1), which agreed to broadcast it live, the audience liked the contest, which gave it a “ticket to life”.
The history of the Italian Song Festival in San Remo began in 1951
Further, his story continues to develop rapidly. In 1955, the Festival begins to be broadcast live on the RAI1 channel (Italian: RAI 1), and this, in turn, contributes to even greater popularity. By the 70s, there is a need to build a concert hall that can accommodate everyone, especially since during the Festival the city of San Remo becomes a center of cultural life for both local residents and foreign tourists. And in 1977 main stage of the Sanremo Song Festival for decades, the Ariston Theater, located in the very center of the city, becomes.
Over the years, the Festival has been broadcast throughout Europe and for several days has become the main event of the Italian media. Indeed, in the show program, along with young and unknown performers who are only trying to grab their “bird of happiness”, the masters of pop, film and television have already reached all heights.
City of San Remo
An important role in the decades-long popularity of the festival is played by the venue itself. The Italian resort town of San Remo has long been famous for its unusually mild climate, exquisite architecture, developed infrastructure and comfortable conditions for relaxation. A golf course, picturesque riding parks, a sailing regatta, dolphin watching or diving classes - here everyone will find something to their taste.
Due to the huge number of parks with exotic flowers and plants, Italians often call San Remo - the "city of flowers." Every last Sunday of March, tens of thousands of tourists come here for a flower festival (Italian: Sanremoinfiore). Representatives of all regions of Italy compete in the "Flower Parade" in San Remo for the title of the best flower arrangement of the festival.
- Tens of thousands of tourists gather at the Flower Parade in San Remo
The city is located only 25 km from the French border, so many tourists vacationing in Nice or Cannes during the song festival tend to be among its spectators, because among the guests you can see an incredible number of stars and world celebrities. And you can share your impressions about what you saw, if you wish, in the restaurants of Monaco, especially since from San Remo to the Principality - just a stone's throw.
The venue of the Festival is the Ariston Theater
Located in the heart of the city on Corso Matteotti, during the year the theater is most often used as a cinema. It consists of six halls, the largest of which - the Ariston Hall - seats 1909 spectators. It is here that annually, since 1977, the most important Song Festival in Italy takes place. The second room, also located on the ground floor, is the Ritz (Italian Ritz) for up to 390 people. And at the top, in 4 rooms under the roof can accommodate about 400 more spectators.
- The main stage of the Festival for many decades was the Theater "Ariston"
All rooms theater "Ariston" equipped with the latest technology and meet European standards, therefore, along with film screenings, theater performances, conferences, exhibitions, various concert programs and entertainment shows are often held here.
Festival Dates
The first local Italian song contest, which marked the beginning of the famous Sanremo Song Festival, took place at the end of January 1951. Therefore, all subsequent Festival programs also began to take place in the winter, however, shifting from cooler January to warmer months - late February - early March.
The dates of the San Remo Festival sometimes fluctuate, because, often, these dates directly depend on the solution of issues related to its financing. And the organizers of the Festival are forced to adapt to the days free from filming and concerts in the busy schedule of star guests taking part in the Festival program. In order not to be unfounded, Blogoitaliano put together San Remo Festival dates for the last few year s:
2008 - February 25 - March 1
2009 - February 17-21
2010 - February 16-20
2011 - February 15-19
2012 - February 14-18
Tickets
Traditionally, the San Remo Festival lasts five nights. Along with young performers participating in the competition program, Italian and world pop stars take part in the concerts, so the demand for tickets is quite large. In this regard, its organizers do not sell individual tickets, but subscriptions, which give the right to attend all five concert programs.
Selling season tickets to the San Remo Song Festival usually starts in early January, and their cost over the past two years (2010 and 2011) has not changed and amounts to only 520 euros per subscription.
Tickets for individual concert programs can be purchased only if all season tickets are not sold. As a rule, such tickets appear at the box office of the Ariston concert hall no earlier than 2 days before the event. If you are lucky and there are “extra” tickets at the box office, music lovers will enjoy such a pleasure almost 180 euros for 1 ticket.
To be continued…
