San Remo is undoubtedly the most important Italian Music Festival, the song contest began in 1951 and has been held in San Remo every year since launching the careers of incredibly famous Italian singers, like Andrea Bocelli, Zucchero, Eros Ramazzotti, Laura Pausini, Elisa. Giorgia and Massimo Ranieri.

This week, RAI have released the names of the singers and songs competing in the 2012 62th edition of the festival. Italian pop legend Gianni Morandi will host the show with Tamara Ecclestone, daughter of Formula One group CEO Bernie Ecclestone, Ivana Mrazova, a Czech fashion model, and Italian actor/director Rocco Papaleo as co-host. Morandi hosted a very successful edition of the festival last year won by Roberto Vecchioni and launched Raphael Gualazzi in the best newcomers’ category.

The festival begins this year on the 14th of February and goes until February the 18th.

Watch out for a special evening on the 16th of February, as the festival will celebrate “gli Italiani nel mondo”, the achievements of Italians around the world, with a special evening entitled Viva l’Italia dedicated to Italian famous songs with participants singing a duet with international artists, including Brian May, Gary Go, Patty Smith, José Feliciano, Sarah Jane Morris and Shaggy.

Below is a list of the singers who will participate this year and the international guest stars and special songs they will perform on the 16th.

Nina Zilli and Skye, Morcheeba Never never never (Grande grande grande)
Samuele Bersani and Goran Bregovic My sweet Romagna (Romagna mia)
Dolcenera and Professor Green My life is mine (Vita spericolata)
Pierdavide Carone and Lucio Dalla with Mads Langer Anema e core
Irene Fornaciari and Brian May I who have nothing (Uno dei tanti)
Emma and Gary Go If paradise is half as nice (Il Paradiso)
Matia Bazar and Al Jarreau Speak softly love (soundtrack “Il Padrino”)
Noemi and Sarah Jane Morris To feel in love (Amarsi un po’)
Francesco Renga and Sergio Dalma El mundo(Il mondo)
Arisa and José Feliciano Que serà (Che sarà)
Chiara Civello and Shaggy You don’t have to say you love me
Gigi D’Alessio and Loredana Bertè with Nina Hagen Auf Der Welt (Piccolo Uomo)
Eugenio Finardi and Noa Surrender
Marlene Kuntz and Patti Smith The world became the world

Italian audiences will be tuning in for an extravaganza: music, fashion, entertainment and awards. But you don’t have to be in Italy to view the annual affair. To see international broadcasts, check the Rai programming schedule by selecting your geographic area. The festival will also be broadcast on Radio1 Rai.

The Sanremo Festival is always an Italian entertainment experience, and with special secret guests expected this year, there’s no excuse for missing the singing or the spectacle!

From: ItalyMag

Another good reason to visit San Remo and the Italian Riviera, Western Liguria ….