No 'pink quotas' in Sanremo 2022, and space for merit: Amadeus distances himself from the proposal of the CEO of Fimi (Italian Music Industry Federation), Enzo Mazza, who launched the idea of bringing a cast formed to the Ariston half by artists.
"With great respect I disagree: I have never chosen a song based on the gender of the artist, it would be a serious mistake, I choose it based on beauty", explains the artistic director and host of the festival. "I don't see why having to give a quota to women, it would almost be offensive towards them. Music is art, and in art you cannot create predetermined zones".
The "gender equality", explains Amadeus, "depends on the number of songs that are presented. If there are 200-300 women among the Young out of 800 candidates, it is not my fault. Then among these 300 there are always artists who have good songs, important appearances. And in the cast of Sanremo Young people are there because they have strong songs ". In any case" there are fantastic women in all the festivals who have given men a hard time: this is the most important thing, not a preselection ", he adds, relaunching the ball in the field of discography. "The proposal could start from the same industry: they are all men at the top, except Caterina Caselli at Sugar. The same goes for musical associations. If it is an important signal, it is right that it starts with them ".
Moreover, when asked about the future of the festival, the conductor and artistic director hypothesizes a female succession: "Who would I see after me? Only women". An assist picked up at a distance by Antonella Clerici: "I'd like to end my career with another festival".
THE INDISCRIPTIONS - To tread the stage of the Ariston from 1 to 5 February could meanwhile be Alessia Marcuzzi, according to the indiscretion diffused by "Chi" (ready to bet also on the return of Roberto Benigni): "I can neither confirm nor deny , but rumors are welcome ", smiles Amadeus. "There are rumors that surprise even me, incredible news, lists in which three or four names are right, the others wrong, but that's right. Sanremo is this, you have to accept it. Maybe among the many rumors you can think of names that you didn't speculate. "
As for Fiorello, "I have known him for 35 years and whatever he does, I know a week before: I did two festivals with him and it was a joy, because it's as if he were my brother. I hope he is also in the third: he will decide, now he is doing theater ... The doors are wide open at any moment ".
SUPER GUESTS - After the difficult edition of the pandemic, "a historic, very complicated Sanremo", the 2022 festival reopens the international guest dossier: "We have negotiations underway, but it is all to be verified: today we cannot close a super guest, we must see what happens in Europe. We will know for sure in January, not before ".
As for the attendance in the theater "we must ensure that the Ariston is full of vaccinated people and that everything goes for the best".
Meanwhile, it is hoped that the Maneskin will return to the stage that crowned them as winners, projecting them towards an incredible international ride, from Eurovision to MTV EMA. Claudio Fasulo, deputy director of Rai1, suggests this: "We hope to see them coming back to us soon".
Someone already imagines a possible duet with Vasco Rossi: "It is clear that when you think of the greats, the desire is to have them all on stage", Amadeus shields himself, alluding to the full-name that has already started and for the competition it ranges from Massimo Ranieri to Gianni Morandi, passing through Elisa, Ministri, Le Vibrazioni, Fast Animals and Slow Kids, Marlene Kuntz. "But there is no foreclosure for any musical genre, the song wins", specifies Amadeus.
The dream always remains "to return to normality, giving the public the opportunity to enjoy five beautiful evenings".
(Unioneonline / vl)
