ITALY in the Eurovision Song Contest – Participation history

Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest
Participating broadcaster
Participation summary
Appearances
First appearance
Language
National Selections National final
Internal selection
Hostings
Highest placement Top 5 FINAL SEMI-FINALS
Highest placement Top 10 FINAL SEMI-FINALS
Worst placement (Bottom) FINAL SEMI-FINALS
Times qualified – Qualifiying rate
Victories
Nul points (Nil points) FINAL SEMI-FINALS

Participation history

Note: Entries scored out signify where Italy did not compete
Years

1956 • 1957 • 1958 • 1959 • 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 – 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020 • 2021 • 2022 • 2023 • 2024 • 
Artists Franca Raimondi • Tonina Torrielli • Nunzio Gallo • Domenico Modugno • Domenico Modugno • Renato Rascel • Betty Curtis • Claudio Villa • Emilio Pericoli • Gigliola Cinquetti • Bobby Solo • Domenico Modugno • Claudio Villa • Sergio Endrigo • Iva Zanicchi • Gianni Morandi • Massimo Ranieri • Nicola Di Bari • Massimo Ranieri • Gigliola Cinquetti • Wess and Dori Ghezzi • Romina and Al Bano (Al Bano & Romina Power) • Mia Martini • Ricchi e Poveri • Matia Bazar • Alan Sorrenti • Riccardo Fogli • Alice and Franco Battiato • Al Bano and Romina Power • Umberto Tozzi and Raf • Luca Barbarossa • Anna Oxa and Fausto Leali • Toto Cutugno • Peppino di Capri • Mia Martini • Enrico Ruggeri • Jalisse • Raphael Gualazzi • Nina Zilli • Marco Mengoni • Emma • Il Volo • Francesca Michielin • Francesco Gabbani • Ermal Meta and Fabrizio Moro • Mahmood • Diodato • Måneskin • Mahmood and Blanco • Marco Mengoni • Angelina Mango • 
Songs “Aprite le finestre” • “Amami se vuoi” • “Corde della mia chitarra” • “Nel blu, dipinto di blu” • “Piove” (Piove (ciao ciao bambina)) • “Romantica” • “Al di là” • “Addio, addio” • “Uno per tutte” • “Non ho l’età“ (Non ho l’età (Per amarti)) • “Se piangi, se ridi“ • “Dio, come ti amo“ • “Non andare più lontano“ • “Marianne“ • “Due grosse lacrime bianche“ • “Occhi di ragazza“ • “L’amore è un attimo“ • “I giorni dell’arcobaleno“ • “Chi sarà con te“ • “Sì“ • “Era” • “We’ll Live It All Again” (We’ll Live It All Again (Lo rivivrei)) • “Libera“ • “Questo amore“ • “Raggio di luna“ • “Non so che darei“ • “Per Lucia“ • “I treni di Tozeur“ • “Magic, Oh Magic” • “Gente di mare“ • “Ti scrivo“ (Vivo (Ti scrivo)) • “Avrei voluto“ • “Insieme: 1992“ • “Comme è ddoce ‘o mare“ • “Rapsodia“ • “Sole d’Europa“ • “Fiumi di parole“ • “Madness of Love” (Follia d’amore (Madness of Love)) • “L’amore è femmina (Out of Love)” • “L’essenziale“ • “La mia città“ • “Grande amore“ • “No Degree of Separation” • “Occidentali’s Karma“ • “Non mi avete fatto niente“ • “Soldi” • “Fai rumore” • “Zitti e buoni“ • “Brividi“ • “Due vite“ • “La noia” • 
  • Emittente televisiva: RAI – Radiotelevisione Italiana (1956-present)
  • Selezione Nazionale: Festival della canzone italiana di Sanremo (1956–1966, 1972, 1997, 2011–2013, 2015); Selezione Interna: 1967–1971, 1973–1975, 1977–1980, 1983–1985, 1987–1993, 2014
  • Organizzazione concorso – Paese ospite: 3 (ESC Naples 1965, ESC Rome 1991, ESC ?? 2022)
  • Numero di partecipazioni: 45 (45 finali)
  • Lingue: Italiano (37), Italiano / Inglese (4), Napoletano (1)
  • Prima partecipazione: ESC Lugano 1956: Franca Raimondi | Aprite Le Finestre
  • Miglior piazzamento Top 5: FI: 1° (1964, 1990, 2021), 2° (1956, 1974, 2011), 3° (1958, 1963, 1975, 1987, 2015), 4° (1992, 1997), 5° (1961, 1965, 1971, 1984)
  • Miglior piazzamento Top 10: FI: 6° (1957, 1959, 1972, 1980), 7° (1976, 1985, 1991, 2013), 8° (1960, 1970), 9° (1962, 1989, 2012), 10° (1968)
  • Peggior  piazzamento (Bottom):  FI: 17º (1966) Ultimo, 21° (2014)
  • Average place: 7,72
  • Numero di vittorie: 2 (ESC Copenhagen 1964: Gigliola Cinquetti | Non Ho L’étà; ESC Zagreb 1990: Toto Cutugno | Insieme: 1992)
  • Nul points (Nil points): 1966

The inaugural Eurovision Song Contest took its inspiration from ‘Festival di Sanremo’ (the Italian song festival), so it’s no surprise that Italy took part in the very first Contest back in 1956.

The inaugural Eurovision Song Contest took its inspiration from Festival di Sanremo (the Italian song festival), so it’s no surprise that Italy took part in the very first Contest back in 1956.

Their first victory came in 1964 when Gigliola Cinquetti stormed the scoreboard in Copenhagen with ‘Non Ho L’età’, receiving nearly three times as many points as the runner-up.

In 1990, Toto Cutugno won the Contest with European unity anthem ‘Insieme: 1992’, and when the show was organised by Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI) the following year, Toto would co-host alongside fellow victor Gigliola. Allora!

In 2021, the Italians struck gold once more with alt-rock band Måneskin and their self-penned track ‘Zitti E Buoni’ (‘Shut Up and Behave’) which became a global streaming hit, along with their follow-up song ‘I Wanna Be Your Slave’ and a cover of The Four Season’s Beggin’.

Italy has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 48 times since making its debut as one of only seven countries to compete at the first contest in 1956, which took inspiration from the Sanremo Music Festival.[1] The Italian participant broadcaster in the contest is Radiotelevisione italiana (RAI). It competed at the contest without interruption until 1980, discontinuing its participation on a number of occasions during the 1980s and 1990s. After a 13-year absence starting in 1998, the country returned to the contest in 2011. Italy has won the contest three times, along with an additional 16 top-five finishes. Italy hosted the contest in Naples (1965), Rome (1991), and Turin (2022).

In 1958, “Nel blu, dipinto di blu” performed by Domenico Modugno finished third. Commonly known as “Volare“, the song became a huge international hit, topping the US Billboard Hot 100 and winning two Grammy Awards at its first edition. “Uno per tutte” by Emilio Pericoli also finished third in 1963, before Italy won for the first time in 1964 with “Non ho l’età” by Gigliola Cinquetti. Cinquetti returned to the contest in 1974 and finished second with “Sì“, losing to “Waterloo” by ABBA. Italy then finished third in 1975 with “Era” by Wess and Dori Ghezzi. The country’s best result of the 1980s was “Gente di mare” by Umberto Tozzi and Raf finishing third in 1987. Italy’s second victory in the contest came in 1990 with “Insieme: 1992” by Toto Cutugno. Other good 1990s results were “Rapsodia” by Mia Martini in 1992 and “Fiumi di parole” by Jalisse in 1997, who both finished fourth. After 1997, Italy withdrew from the competition.

On 31 December 2010, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that Italy would be returning to the contest as part of the “Big Five“, thereby granting the country automatic qualification for the final.[2] Italy’s return to the contest has proved to be successful, finishing in the top ten in 11 of the last 13 contests (2011–24), including second places for “Madness of Love” by Raphael Gualazzi (2011) and “Soldi” by Mahmood (2019), and third place for “Grande amore” by Il Volo (2015). “Grande amore” won the televote, receiving votes from all countries, but came sixth with the juries. This was the first time since the introduction of the mixed jury/televote system in 2009 that the televote winner did not end up winning the contest. Italy achieved its third victory in the contest in 2021, with “Zitti e buoni” by the rock band Måneskin.

History

[edit]

Radiotelevisione italiana (RAI) is a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), thus eligible to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. It has participated in the contest representing Italy since its first edition in 1956.

Absences

[edit]

Italy has withdrawn from the Eurovision Song Contest a number of times. The first withdrawal was in 1981, when RAI stated that interest had diminished in the country.[3] This absence continued through 1982, before Italy returned in 1983. Italy again withdrew in 1986 when RAI decided not to enter the contest.[4] From 1994 to 1996, Italy withdrew again, with RAI citing a lack of interest in participating. Italy returned in 1997, before withdrawing again without explanation, and the country did not participate again until 2011.[5]

None of the 20th century Eurovision-winning songs were particularly successful in the Italian charts. “Non ho l’età” by Gigliola Cinquetti was a hit in February 1964 when the song won the 1964 contest, but according to the official “Hit Parade Italia” website, “Waterloo“, “Ding-a-dong“, “Puppet on a String“, “Save Your Kisses for Me” and even Italy’s own winning entry of 1990, “Insieme: 1992“, all failed to enter the top ten of the records sales charts. A notable exception to this rule was the 1984 entry “I treni di Tozeur” by Alice and Franco Battiato, which shared fifth place in the final, but still became a #3 hit in Italy and also placed at #20 on the chart of the best-selling Italian singles in 1984.

TV censorship of the 1974 contest

[edit]

RAI refused to broadcast the 1974 contest live because their competing song, sung by Gigliola Cinquetti, coincided with the intense political campaigning for the 1974 Italian divorce referendum which was to be held a month later in May. Despite the Eurovision Song Contest taking place more than a month before the planned vote, Italian censors refused to allow the contest and song to be shown or heard. RAI censors felt that the song, titled “Sì” (Yes), and contained lyrics constantly repeating the aforementioned word could be subject to accusation of being subliminal messaging and a form of propaganda to influence the Italian voting public to vote ‘yes’ in the referendum (thus to repeal the law that allowed divorce).[6] The song thus remained censored on most Italian state TV and radio stations for over a month. At the contest in Brighton, Cinquetti finished second, losing to ABBA. “Sì” went on to be a UK top ten hit, peaking at number eight. It also reached the German top 20.[citation needed] The contest was broadcast in June.

The 2008–2010 period

[edit]

In 2008, two notable Italian musicians, Vince Tempera (who was the conductor for Malta in 1975 and had helped San Marino take part in the ESC in 2008) and Eurovision winner Toto Cutugno expressed their sorrow at Italy’s non-participation and called for the country to return to the contest.[7][8]

Contestants from the 2008 contest, starting with the winner Dima Bilan appeared on the Italian show Carramba! Che fortuna, hosted by Raffaella Carrà on Rai Uno. Whether this was an initiative by Carrà (who presented three shows in TVE concerning the event) to try to bring Eurovision back to Italy is not clear, but Sietse Bakker, then-Manager Communications & PR of the Eurovision Song Contest, reiterated that “Italy is still very much welcome to take part in the competition.”[9][10]

Shortly after revealing the list of participants for the 2009 contest, the EBU announced that they would work harder to bring Italy back into the contest, along with former participants Monaco and Austria.[11]

Return (2011–present)

[edit]

At a press conference presenting the fourth edition of the Italian X Factor, Rai 2 director Massimo Liofredi announced that the winner of the competition might advance to represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest, rather than participate in the Sanremo Festival, as in previous years. On 2 December 2010, it was officially announced by the EBU that Italy had applied to compete in the 2011 contest.[12] Their participation was further confirmed on 31 December with the announcement of the official participant list.[2]

Italy’s return to the contest after a 13-year absence has been successful, finishing in the top ten in 11 of the last 13 contests (2011–24). In 2011, Raphael Gualazzi finished second, then Italy’s best result since 1990. Italy came first with the jury vote, but only 11th in the televote to place second overall behind eventual winner Azerbaijan. Nina Zilli in 2012 and Marco Mengoni in 2013 placed in the top ten (ninth and seventh, respectively); the latter scored 126 points, exactly doubling the points total of the other “Big Five” countries that year. This trend had a stop in 2014, when internally-selected Emma Marrone finished in 21st place. In 2015, Il Volo finished third with 292 points, behind winner Sweden and runner-up Russia, placing first in the televote but sixth in the jury vote. Since the introduction of the 50/50 split voting system, this was the first time that the televote winner did not win the contest overall. Francesca Michielin, selected among the competitors of Sanremo 2016 after the waiver of the winners Stadio, ended in 16th place. Francesco Gabbani came in sixth place in 2017. The year after, although not initially a big favourite with the bookmakers, Ermal Meta and Fabrizio Moro returned Italy to the top five, aided significantly by finishing third in the televote, which heavily counterbalanced the 17th place by the jury, finishing fifth overall. In 2019, Mahmood placed second with 472 points, Italy’s best result since 2011, until Måneskin won the contest in 2021 with 524 points. Måneskin’s victory marked the band’s breakthrough on the international music scene. Mahmood returned in 2022 as the host entrant alongside Blanco, placing sixth, followed by Mengoni returning in 2023, placing fourth. In 2024, Angelina Mango came in 7th place.

Sanremo Music Festival

[edit]

Main article: Sanremo Music Festival

The Sanremo Music Festival is the most popular Italian song contest and awards ceremony, held annually in the city of Sanremo, Liguria. First held in 1951 and itself the basis and inspiration for the Eurovision Song Contest, the festival has often been used as a method of choosing the Italian entry for the European contest, with some exceptions over the years. Since 2015, the winner of the festival has been given the right of first refusal to represent Italy in the contest.[1][13]

Italy and the “Big Five”

[edit]

Since 1999, four countries – France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom – have automatically qualified for the Eurovision final regardless of their results in previous contests.[14] The participant broadcasters from these countries earned this special status by being the four biggest financial contributors to the EBU, and subsequently became known as the “Big Four“. In a meeting with OGAE Serbia in 2007, then-Executive Supervisor of the Contest Svante Stockselius stated that, if Italy were to return to the contest in the future, the country would also automatically qualify for the final, becoming part of a “Big Five”.[15][16] However, with the official announcement of the return of Italy, it was not confirmed whether the country would compete in one of the two semi-finals or be part of the “Big Five”, as RAI, third largest contributor to the EBU, had not applied for “Big Five” membership.[17] On 31 December 2010, it was announced that Italy would take part in the 2011 contest and confirmed that the country would automatically qualify for the final as part of the “Big Five”.[2]

Italy is currently the most successful Big Five country in the Eurovision Song Contest following the introduction of the rule, finishing in the top ten in 10 of the last 12 contests (2011–23), including a victory for Måneskin (2021), second places for Raphael Gualazzi (2011) and Mahmood (2019), and third place for Il Volo (2015). It is one of the only two countries of the Big Five – since it was introduced – to have won, the other being Germany in 2010.

Participation overview

[edit]

Table key
1 First place
2 Second place
3 Third place
◁ Last place
X Entry selected but did not compete
† Upcoming event

Note: Edizione | # | Artista (i) | Canzone [Musica (m) / Texto (t)] | Lingua (Traduzione) | Punteggio | Posizione | Processo di Selezione

ANNO INTERPRETE CANZONE PUNTEGGIO POSIZIONE LINGUA
Giovedì, 24 Maggio 1956 Franca Raimondi “Aprite le finestre” – – italiano
Giovedì, 24 Maggio 1956 Tonina Torrielli “Amami se vuoi” – – italiano
Domenica, 3 Marzo 1957 Nunzio Gallo “Corde della mia chitarra” 7 6 italiano
Mercoledì, 12 Marzo 1958 Domenico Modugno “Nel blu, dipinto di blu (Volare)” 13 3 italiano
Mercoledì, 11 Marzo 1959 Domenico Modugno “Piove (Ciao, ciao bambina)” 11 6 italiano
Martedì, 29 Marzo 1960 Renato Rascel “Romantica” 5 8 italiano
Sabato, 18 Marzo 1961 Betty Curtis “Al di là” 12 5 italiano
Domenica, 18 Marzo 1962 Claudio Villa “Addio, addio” 3 9 italiano
Sabato, 23 Marzo 1963 Emilio Pericoli “Uno per tutte” 37 3 italiano
Sabato, 21 Marzo 1964 Gigliola Cinquetti “Non ho l’età” 49 1 italiano
Sabato, 20 Marzo 1965 Bobby Solo “Se piangi, se ridi“ 15 5 italiano
Sabato, 5 Marzo 1966 Domenico Modugno “Dio, come ti amo” 0 17 italiano
Sabato, 8 Aprile 1967 Claudio Villa “Non andare più lontano” 4 11 italiano
Sabato, 6 Aprile 1968 Sergio Endrigo “Marianne” 7 10 italiano
Sabato, 29 Marzo 1969 Iva Zanicchi “Due grosse lacrime bianche” 5 13 italiano
Sabato, 21 Marzo 1970 Gianni Morandi “Occhi di ragazza” 5 8 italiano
Sabato, 3 Aprile 1971 Massimo Ranieri “L’amore è un attimo” 91 5 italiano
Sabato, 25 Marzo 1972 Nicola di Bari “I giorni dell’arcobaleno” 92 6 italiano
Sabato, 7 Aprile 1973 Massimo Ranieri “Chi sarà con te” 74 13 italiano
Sabato, 6 Aprile 1974 Gigliola Cinquetti “Sì” 18 2 italiano
Sabato, 22 Marzo 1975 Wess and Dori Ghezzi “Era” 115 3 italiano
Sabato, 3 Aprile 1976 Al Bano & Romina Power “We’ll Live It All Again” 69 7 italiano, inglese
Sabato, 7 Maggio 1977 Mia Martini “Libera” 33 13 italiano
Sabato, 22 Aprile 1978 Ricchi e Poveri “Questo amore” 53 12 italiano
Sabato, 31 Marzo 1979 Matia Bazar “Raggio di luna” 27 15 italiano
Sabato, 19 Aprile 1980 Alan Sorrenti “Non so che darei” 87 6 italiano

Sabato, 4 Aprile 1981– Non ha partecipato

Sabato, 24 Aprile 1982 – Non ha partecipato
Sabato, 23 Aprile 1983 Riccardo Fogli “Per Lucia” 41 11 italiano
Sabato, 5 Maggio 1984 Alice & Battiato “I treni di Tozeur” 70 5 italiano
Sabato, 4 Maggio 1985 Al Bano & Romina Power “Magic Oh Magic” 78 7 italiano, inglese

Sabato, 3 Maggio 1986 – Non ha partecipato
Sabato, 9 Maggio 1987 Umberto Tozzi and Raf “Gente di mare” 103 3 italiano
Sabato, 30 Aprile 1988 Luca Barbarossa “Ti scrivo (Vivo)” 52 12 italiano
Sabato, 6 Maggio 1989 Anna Oxa andFausto Leali “Avrei voluto” 56 9 italiano
Sabato, 5 Maggio 1990 Toto Cutugno “Insieme: 1992” 149 1 italiano
Sabato, 4 Maggio 1991 Peppino di Capri “Comme è ddoce ‘o mare” 89 7 Napoletano
Sabato, 9 Maggio 1992 Mia Martini “Rapsodia” 111 4 italiano
Sabato, 15 Maggio 1993 Enrico Ruggeri “Sole d’Europa” 45 12 italiano

Sabato, 30 Aprile 1994 – Non ha partecipato

Sabato, 13 Maggio 1995 – Non ha partecipato

Sabato, 18 Maggio 1996 – Non ha partecipato 
Sabato, 3 Maggio 1997 Jalisse “Fiumi di parole” 114 4 italiano

Sabato, 9 Maggio 1998 – Non ha partecipato

Sabato, 29 Maggio 1999 – Non ha partecipato

Sabato, 13 Maggio 2000 – Non ha partecipato

Sabato, 12 Maggio 2001 – Non ha partecipato

Sabato, 25 Maggio 2002 – Non ha partecipato

Sabato, 24 Maggio 2003 – Non ha partecipato

Sabato, 15 Maggio 2004 – Non ha partecipato

Sabato, 21 Maggio 2005 – Non ha partecipato

Sabato, 20 Maggio 2006 – Non ha partecipato

Sabato, 12 Maggio 2007 – Non ha partecipato

Sabato, 24 Maggio 2008 – Non ha partecipato

Sabato, 16 Maggio 2009 – Non ha partecipato

Sabato, 29 Maggio 2010 – Non ha partecipato
Sabato, 14 Maggio 2011 Raphael Gualazzi “Follia d’amore (Madness Love)” 189 2 italiano, inglese
Sabato, 26 Maggio 2012 Nina Zilli “L’amore è femmina (Out of Love)” 101 9 Inglese, italiano
Sabato, 18 Maggio 2013 Marco Mengoni “L’essenziale” 126 7 italiano
Sabato, 10 Maggio 2014 Emma “La mia città” 33 21 italiano
Sabato, 23 Maggio 2015 Il Volo “Grande amore” 292 3 italiano
Sabato, 14 maggio 2016  Francesca Michielin “No Degree of Separation” 124 16 italiano, inglese

NOTES:

  1. a^ Jump up to:a b The 1956 contest had secret voting and, apart from the winner, no results were released.
  2. b^ The 2020 contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  3. c^ Ferrio also conducted the Austrian and Irish entries
  4. d^ Giacomazzi was originally brought in to conduct the Italian entry, but the Luxembourgish orchestra didn’t perform it to singer Domenico Modugno‘s satisfaction. The Italian performance was then accompanied by a small ensemble of musicians, with Giacomazzi playing the piano. Therefore, the Italian entry didn’t technically feature the orchestra, but Giacomazzi was still credited as the entry’s conductor.
  5. e^ Jump up to:a b The Italian entry was performed without orchestral accompaniment.

Photo gallery

Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest

[edit]

Further information: Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest
Artist Song Language At Congratulations At Eurovision
Final Points Semi Points Year Place Points
Domenico Modugno “Nel blu, dipinto di blu“ Italian 2 267 2 200 1958 3 13

Hostings

[edit]

Year Location Venue Presenters
1965 Naples Auditorium RAI Renata Mauro
1991 Rome Teatro 15 di Cinecittà Gigliola Cinquetti and Toto Cutugno
2022 Turin PalaOlimpico Alessandro Cattelan, Laura Pausini and Mika

Awards

[edit]

Marcel Bezençon Awards

[edit]

Further information: Marcel Bezençon Awards
Year Category Song Performer Final Points Host city Ref.
2015 Press Award “Grande amore“ Il Volo 3 292 Austria Vienna
[19]
2017 Press Award “Occidentali’s Karma“ Francesco Gabbani 6 334 Ukraine Kyiv
[20]
2019 Composer Award “Soldi“ Mahmood 2 465 Israel Tel Aviv
[21]
2023 Composer Award “Due vite“ Marco Mengoni 4 350 United Kingdom Liverpool
[22]

Winner by OGAE members

[edit]

Further information: OGAE
Year Song Performer Final
result		 Points Host city Ref.
2015 “Grande amore“ Il Volo 3 292 Austria Vienna
[23]
2017 “Occidentali’s Karma“ Francesco Gabbani 6 334 Ukraine Kyiv
[24]
2019 “Soldi“ Mahmood 2 465 Israel Tel Aviv
[25]

[edit]

Conductors

[edit]

Year Eurovision Conductor Musical Director Notes Ref.
1956 Gian Stellari N/A [26]
1957 Armando Trovajoli
1958 Italy United Kingdom Alberto Semprini
1959 William Galassini [it]
1960 Cinico Angelini
1961 Gianfranco Intra
1962 Cinico Angelini
1963 Gigi Chichellero [it]
1964 Gianfranco Monaldi [it]
1965 Gianni Ferrio [c]
1966 Angelo Giacomazzi [it] N/A [d]
1967 Giancarlo Chiaramello
1968
1969 Ezio Leoni
1970 Mario Capuano [it] [27]
1971 Enrico Polito [it]
1972 Gian Franco Reverberi
1973 Enrico Polito
1974 Gianfranco Monaldi
1975 Natale Massara [it]
1976 Maurizio Fabrizio
1977
1978 Nicola Samale
1979 No conductor [e]
1980 United Kingdom Del Newman [28]
1983 Maurizio Fabrizio
1984 Giusto Pio
1985 Fiorenzo Zanotti
1987 Gianfranco Lombardi [it]
1988 No conductor [e]
1989 Mario Natale
1990 Gianni Madonini
1991 Bruno Canfora
1992 Marco Falagiani [it] N/A
1993 Vittorio Cosma
1997 Lucio Fabbri

Heads of delegation

[edit]

Each participating broadcaster in the Eurovision Song Contest assigns a head of delegation as the EBU’s contact person and the leader of their delegation at the event. The delegation, whose size can greatly vary, includes a head of press, the performers, songwriters, composers, and backing vocalists, among others.[29]

Year Head of delegation Ref.
2011–2019 Nicola Caligiore
[30]
2020–2021 Simona Martorelli
[31]
2022–present Mariangela Borneo
[32]

Commentators and spokespersons

[edit]

Year Final commentator Semi-final commentator Spokesperson Ref.
1956 Bianca Maria Piccinino No semi-finals No spokesperson
1957 Nunzio Filogamo
1958 Fulvia Colombo [it]
1959 Enzo Tortora
1960 Giorgio Porro
1961 Corrado Mantoni
1962 Renato Tagliani [it]
1963
1964 Rosanna Vaudetti
1965 Daniele Piombi
1966 Enzo Tortora
1967 Mike Bongiorno
1968
1969
1970 Enzo Tortora
1971 No spokesperson
1972
1973
1974 Rosanna Vaudetti Anna Maria Gambineri [it]
1975 Silvio Noto
1976 Rosanna Vaudetti
1977 Mariolina Cannuli [it]
1978 Rosanna Vaudetti
1979 Paola Perissi [it]
1980 Michele Gammino Mariolina Cannuli
1981–1982 No broadcast Did not participate
1983 Paolo Frajese [it] No semi-finals Paola Perissi
1984 Antonio De Robertis Mariolina Cannuli
1985 Rosanna Vaudetti Beatrice Cori
1986 No broadcast Did not participate
1987 Rosanna Vaudetti No semi-finals Mariolina Cannuli
1988 Daniele Piombi
1989 Gabriella Carlucci Peppi Franzelin [it]
1990 Peppi Franzelin [it] Paolo Frajese
1991 No commentator Rosanna Vaudetti
1992 Peppi Franzelin Nicoletta Orsomando
1993 Ettore Andenna [it] Ettore Andenna Peppi Franzelin
[33]
1994–1996 No broadcast Did not participate
1997 Ettore Andenna No semi-finals Peppi Franzelin
1998–2002 No broadcast Did not participate
2003 Fabio Canino [it] and Paolo Quilici No semi-finals
[34]
2004–2010 No broadcast
2011 Raffaella Carrà and Bob Sinclar Raffaella Carrà Raffaella Carrà
2012 Filippo Solibello [it] and Marco Ardemagni [it] Federica Gentile [it] Ivan Bacchi [it]
2013 Filippo Solibello, Marco Ardemagni and Natasha Lusenti [it] Federica Gentile
[35][36]
2014 Linus and Nicola Savino Marco Ardemagni and Filippo Solibello Linus
2015 Federico Russo and Valentina Correani [it] (TV)
Marco Ardemagni and Filippo Solibello (radio)		 Federico Russo
2016 Flavio Insinna and Federico Russo Claudia Andreatti
2017 Andrea Delogu [it] and Diego Passoni [it] Giulia Valentina
2018 Serena Rossi and Federico Russo (TV)
Carolina Di Domenico and Ema Stokholma [it] (radio)		 Carolina Di Domenico and Saverio Raimondo [it]
2019 Flavio Insinna and Federico Russo (TV)
Ema Stokholma and Gino Castaldo [it] (radio)		 Federico Russo and Ema Stokholma Ema Stokholma
[37]
2021 Gabriele Corsi [it] and Cristiano Malgioglio (TV)
Ema Stokholma and Gino Castaldo (radio)		 Ema Stokholma and Saverio Raimondo Carolina Di Domenico
[38]
2022 Gabriele Corsi, Cristiano Malgioglio and Carolina Di Domenico (TV)
Ema Stokholma, Gino Castaldo and Saverio Raimondo (radio)
[39]
2023 Gabriele Corsi and Mara Maionchi (TV)
Mariolina Simone [it], Diletta Parlangeli and Saverio Raimondo (radio)		 Kaze
[40][41][42]
2024 Gabriele Corsi and Mara Maionchi (TV)
Diletta Parlangeli and Matteo Osso (radio)		 Mario Acampa [it]
[43][44][45]

Other shows

[edit]

Show Commentator Channel Ref.
Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light Flavio Insinna and Federico Russo Rai 1
[46]
Gino Castaldo [it] and Ema Stokholma [it] Rai 4
Rai Radio 2

Italy’s average distribution of the given points (2011-2016)

# 2011 2011 SF2 2012 2012 SF1 2013 2013 SF1 2014 2014 SF2 2015 2015 SF2 2016 2016 * 2016 SF2 2016 SF2 * Total Partici-
pations		 Average
1 Ukraine 7 6 3 X 5 12 10 X X X 10 12 10 12 87 10 8,70
2 Albania X X 12 12 X X X X X X X 8 32 5 6,40
3 Romania 12 12 7 10 1 X 5 4 X X X X X 51 8 6,38
4 Poland X X X X X X 8 10 1 5 10 3 10 47 8 5,88
5 Moldova 8 7 4 4 4 8 X X X X X X X X 35 6 5,83
6 Australia X X X X X X X X 6 X 6 12 3 27 5 5,40
7 Bulgaria X 10 X X X X X X X X 7 7 24 5 4,80
8 Cyprus X 8 5 7 X X X 7 1 6 X X 34 8 4,25
9 Israel X 1 X X X X 8 12 8 8 37 9 4,11
10 Russia X 10 2 4 X 10 X 8 X X 34 9 3,78
11 Serbia 3 X 6 X X 3 X X 3 X 4 5 6 30 8 3,75
12 Austria 5 X X 2 12 12 X X X 31 9 3,44
13 Greece 2 X 5 7 X 3 6 X X X X X 23 7 3,29
14 Malta X X X 10 X 1 5 X 1 5 X X 22 7 3,14
15 San Marino X X X 3 X X X X 6 X X X X 9 3 3,00
16 Sweden 3 X X X 12 10 2 X X 27 9 3,00
17 Denmark 2 6 12 6 X X X X X 26 9 2,89
18 Finland X X X 6 8 X X X X X X 14 5 2,80
19 Bosnia & Herzegovina 4 4 X X X X X X X X X X X 8 3 2,67
20 Lithuania X X 6 10 X 1 2 1 4 24 11 2,18
21 Iceland 5 X 1 X 7 X X X X X X 13 6 2,17
22 Germany 6 X 8 X X X X X X 14 7 2,00
23 Spain X X 2 X X X 12 X X 14 7 2,00
24 Belgium X 2 X X X 7 X 4 5 18 9 2,00
25 Norway X X X 8 X 5 2 X X 15 8 1,88
26 France 1 X X X X X 7 5 X X 13 7 1,86
27 Switzerland X X 8 X X 2 3 X X X 13 7 1,86
28 Slovenia X X X 7 3 X X 6 16 9 1,78
29 Georgia X X X X X X 3 3 7 13 8 1,63
30 Netherlands X X X 1 4 X X X 4 X X 9 6 1,50
31 Latvia X X X X X X 4 8 12 8 1,50
32 United Kingdom 10 X X X X X X X 10 7 1,43
33 Estonia X 5 X X 2 X X X X X 7 6 1,17
34 Belarus X X X 7 X X X X 1 8 7 1,14
35 North Macedonia X 1 X X X X 2 X X X X 2 5 5 1,00
36 Montenegro X X X X X 4 X X X X 4 5 0,80
37 Hungary X 3 X X X X X 3 8 0,38
38 Armenia X X X X X X X 1 X X 1 5 0,20
39 Ireland X X X X 2 2 10 0,20

Italy’s average distribution of the received points (2011-2016)

# Country 2011 2011 SF2 2012 2012 SF1 2013 2013 SF1 2014 2014 SF2 2015 2015 SF2 2016 2016 * 2016 SF2 2016 SF2 * Total Partici-
pations		 Average
1 MT Malta X 10 X 8 X 12 12 8 7 X X X 57 10 5,70
2 SK Slovakia 5 X X X X X X X X X X X X 5 1 5,00
3 AL Albania X 7 12 X 10 X 12 X 8 10 X 59 13 4,54
4 FR France 1 X 10 X 1 X 6 X 12 X X X 30 8 3,75
5 ES Spain X 1 12 X X 12 X 5 3 X X X 33 9 3,67
6 PT Portugal X 2 X X X X 12 X X X X X 14 4 3,50
7 SM San Marino X 7 4 X X 10 10 X X X 31 10 3,10
8 CY Cyprus 2 6 X X 12 3 X X X 23 10 2,30
9 CH Switzerland X 5 12 X 2 6 2 7 X 34 15 2,27
10 ME Montenegro X 2 6 6 X 6 4 X X X 24 11 2,18
11 RO Romania 1 X 12 X X X X X X 13 6 2,17
12 GR Greece X 3 6 X 12 X X X X 21 10 2,10
13 MK North Macedonia 5 X 10 X 2 7 X 1 X 25 13 1,92
14 HR Croatia X 2 X 8 X X X X 3 X X X 13 7 1,86
15 AT Austria 10 10 X X X X 20 11 1,82
16 BE Belgium 6 X 8 X 10 X 24 14 1,71
17 NO Norway X 4 X X 5 12 X 21 14 1,50
18 SI Slovenia 5 X 8 8 1 X 22 15 1,47
19 NL Netherlands X X 7 X 6 X X X 13 9 1,44
20 RU Russia X X 12 X X X X 12 10 1,20
21 MD Moldova 5 X 7 X X X X 12 10 1,20
22 CZ Czech Republic X X X X X X X 7 X X X 7 6 1,17
23 EE Estonia 7 X X 3 X X X X 10 9 1,11
24 GE Georgia X 4 X 2 X 8 X X 14 13 1,08
25 IL Israel 4 X 12 X 16 15 1,07
26 AM Armenia X X X 1 X X 6 X X X X 7 7 1,00
27 RS Serbia X X 4 X X 7 X X 11 12 0,92
28 IE Ireland 2 6 6 X 14 16 0,88
29 SE Sweden X X 8 X X X 8 10 0,80
30 AU Australia X X X X X X X 8 X 8 10 0,80
31 AZ Azerbaijan X X X 8 X X X 8 10 0,80
32 HU Hungary X 5 X X 2 X X X X 7 9 0,78
33 DE Germany 2 X X 3 3 1 X 9 14 0,64
34 IS Iceland X X X 6 X X X 6 10 0,60
35 PL Poland X X X X X 7 X 7 12 0,58
36 LV Latvia X X 8 X 8 14 0,57
37 DK Denmark 3 X 5 X X 8 14 0,57
38 GB United Kingdom X X 8 X 8 15 0,53
39 FI Finland X X 2 X 2 X X X 4 10 0,40
40 LT Lithuania X 4 X 1 X 5 15 0,33
41 UA Ukraine 4 X X X X X 4 12 0,33
42 BY Belarus X 1 X X 1 14 0,07

Altri premi ricevuti: I Marcel Bezençon Awards sono stati assegnati per la prima volta durante l’Eurovision Song Contest 2002 a Tallinn, in Estonia, in onore delle migliori canzoni in competizione nella finale. Fondato da Christer Björkman (rappresentante della Svezia nell’Eurovision Song Contest 1992 e attuale capo della delegazione per la Svezia) e Richard Herrey (membro del gruppo Herreys e vincitore dalla Svezia nell’Eurovision Song Contest 1984), i premi prendono il nome del creatore del concorso, Marcel Bezençon.

I premi sono suddivisi in 3 categorie:

  • Press Award: per la canzone più votata da stampa e media accreditati durante l’evento.
  • Artistic Award: per il miglior artista, votato fino al 2009 dai vincitori delle precedenti edizioni; a partire dal 2010 viene votato dai commentatori.
  • Composer Award: per la miglior composizione musicale, votata da una giuria di compositori.
Anno Categoria Artista Canzone Compositore
2015 Press Award Il Volo Grande amore Francesco Boccia, Ciro Esposito
2017 Press Award Francesco Gabbani Occidentali’s Karma Francesco Gabbani, Filippo Gabbani, Fabio Ilacqua, Luca Chiaravalli
2019 Composer Award Mahmood Soldi Charlie Charles, Dario “Dardust” Faini, Alessandro Mahmoud

OGAE Eurovision Song Contest Poll. L’OGAE Eurovision Song Contest Poll è la classifica fatta dai gruppi dell’OGAE, organizzazione internazionale che consiste in un network di oltre 40 fan club del Contest di vari Paesi europei e non. Come ogni anno, i membri dell’OGAE hanno l’opportunità di votare per la loro canzone preferita prima della gara e i risultati sono stati pubblicati sul sito web dell’organizzazione.

Anno Categoria Artista Canzone Compositore
2015 OGAE 2015 Il Volo Grande amore Francesco Boccia, Ciro Esposito
2017 OGAE 2017 Francesco Gabbani Occidentali’s Karma Francesco Gabbani, Filippo Gabbani, Fabio Ilacqua, Luca Chiaravalli
2019 OGAE 2019 Mahmood Soldi Charlie Charles, Dario “Dardust” Faini, Alessandro Mahmoud

Rispondi