Angela (Brambati) has just bought a house in Baja Sardinia, Angelo (Sotgiu, originally from Trinità d'Agultu, and therefore a true Sardinian, but raised in Liguria) has one on Isola Rossa, and they can't wait to move there, to their respective "paradises," for a few days of vacation. First, however, there's a very important professional commitment (above all) to honor: the Abi d'Oru Gala Night concert, scheduled for tonight, right in the middle of Angela and Angelo's European tour, better known as Ricchi e Poveri.
The appointment
The program offered by the famous hotel overlooking the Gulf of Marinella, between Golfo Aranci and Porto Rotondo, includes a welcome aperitif in the resort gardens for guests attending the exclusive event (approximately at 7:00 PM), followed by a poolside dinner (at 8:45 PM) created by chef Alessandro Cocco and enriched with desserts by award-winning pastry chef Andrea Tortora, and a concert by Ricchi e Poveri (between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM). DJs will follow until midnight, with a fireworks display illuminating Marinella Bay and ushering in the arrival of Ferragosto.
What more could two of the greatest names in Italian music, capable of carrying forward with such strength and success the history and music of one of the country's iconic groups, want before going on vacation? "Meanwhile, we can't wait to be there," Angela says on the eve of the event, enjoying a generous slice of watermelon to quench the summer heat. "We don't want to reveal the setlist, but we're sure we'll all have fun, both us on stage and the audience, singing our songs," she adds before handing over to Angelo.
"Touring Italy and Europe in concert gives us great satisfaction," says Sotgiu. "We've been performing for over 50 years now, and feeling the enthusiasm of the audience at our concerts is priceless," explains the singer and musician, born in 1946, who co-founded the group in 1967 with Angela Brambati, nicknamed "the brunette from Ricchi e Poveri," the "blonde" Marina Occhiena, who left the group in 1981 but reunited for two seasons during the 2020-21 reunion, and Franco Gatti, nicknamed "Baffo," who passed away four years ago.
The songs
During the setlist for the Abi d'Oru show, Ricchi e Poveri don't reveal much, but all it takes is the right question, like "What's your favorite song from your vast repertoire?" to understand that tonight at the prestigious 5-star resort, the audience will be in for a treat. Angela has no doubts: "It must be because I love you!" Angelo, however, is more open to more options. "We won Sanremo in 1985 with Se m'innamoro, and this one immediately comes to mind," Sotgiu recalls, "but even in our previous participations, in the early '70s, at the beginning of our career, we performed songs that are still among the most famous in our history, like 'La prima cosa bella' and 'Che sarà', with which we also took two honorable second places."
At this point, Angela insists: "My favorite is Sarà perché ti amo," and her partner relents: "Okay, Sarà perché ti amo too!" The show that Ricchi e Poveri offer during a simple one-on-one interview is as pyrotechnic as the one they unleash every time they perform together, with bursts of Mamma Maria and Voulez vous danser. But that's not all: tonight's show will be exuberant and captivating, and will retrace over 50 years of their career, up to the recent hits "Ma non tutta la vita," a song certified platinum by FIMI/GfK, Aria, and Il Natale degli angeli.
The young people
A show where the history of Italian music intertwines with the contemporary. In this regard, Ricchi e Poveri admit to their love for new talent. "I always listen to the radio; I find there are many interesting emerging artists," comments Angelo. "I like everything," echoes Angela, ready, by her own admission, to get the guests at Abi d'Oru on their feet singing and dancing to Ricchi e Poveri's hits. The statement accompanying the tour of the famous Genoese band, whose appearances have contributed to the success of several cult programs in the history of Italian television, says it all: "The tour continues with the desire to share with all of you many special evenings in which everyone will be the protagonist."
Meanwhile, near the Gulf of Marinella, the countdown to the Ricchi e Poveri concert has begun. On the beach, swimmers can be heard singing "Serà perché ti amo" and "Mamma Maria," timeless hits that have been part of Italian summers for decades and the memories of entire generations, ensuring that next year's tour—and that's not a small detail—is already packed with dates.
Ilenia Giagnoni
