Around five thousand people gathered at Milan's Piccolo Teatro to bid farewell to Ornella Vanoni. A long line, stretching almost to Piazza Cairoli, testified to the affection and gratitude that Milan and Italy as a whole have for the artist, an undisputed icon of Italian music . The simple coffin was greeted by prolonged applause from the Milanese: on either side were two sunflower cushions and, next to them, a large garland of white roses . "Domani è un altro giorno" played on loop in the background. Thus, Milan bids farewell to Ornella Vanoni, a free-spirited, ironic, and cheerful woman who left an indelible mark. A farewell that began right at the Piccolo Teatro Grassi, the place where the young Ornella met Giorgio Strehler and took her first steps in the theater, before becoming one of the most beloved voices of Italian song.
The funeral chapel was opened today in the same theater. In addition to the many Milanese, artists from television , theater , music, and film were present at the Piccolo. Among the first to arrive were singer Emma Marrone and host Fabio Fazio , who often hosted Vanoni on his talk show: "We sang together so many times, so many memories. I keep the funniest ones to myself," commented Fiorella Mannoia , remembering her as a symbol of freedom. Arisa was also deeply moved: "A great loss. Artists should never die." For jazz trumpeter Paolo Fresu, who will play at Vanoni's funeral tomorrow, Ornella "represented enormity." A large part of the Italian entertainment world gathers at the Piccolo.
One after the other, Madame and Memo Remigi, Cristiano Malgioglio and actress Lella Costa , host Simona Ventura and director Gabriele Salvatores , designer Antonio Marras , composer Paolo Jannacci , son of Enzo , and even lyricist Mario Lavezzi arrived. Alba Parietti paid tribute to her, "A free woman who taught freedom." Francesco Gabbani , who duetted with her at Sanremo in 2021, commented, "An artist with gigantic anarchic elegance." Senator for life Liliana Segre also paid her farewell to her "unforgettable friend," lingering for a long time before the coffin. After the funeral chapel was opened, there was a brief moment of silence with the family, Mayor Beppe Sala, and Councilor for Culture Tommaso Sacchi.
For the mayor, Vanoni "represents Milanese identity, understood as the desire to be free and not always influenced by the judgment of others," reiterating the City's willingness to find a way to honor her and "to remember her in the best possible way and pass on her legacy." Former mayor Letizia Moratti, with whom Vanoni ran on her own civic list in the 2011 municipal elections, was also present to pay her last respects. The chapel of rest will be open again tomorrow from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m. in the church of San Marco, in the Brera district, where the artist lived.
(Unioneonline)
