Audience record for the first evening of the Sanremo Festival . The data released by Rai give for the first part (21.18 - 23.44): 14 million 160 thousand spectators, with a share of 61.7 percent. For the second part (23.48 - 01.40): 6 million 296 thousand spectators, with a share of 64.7 percent. Overall audience: (21.18 - 01.40): 10 million 757 thousand spectators with a 62.4 percent share.
Amadeus collects the excellent result "even if the road is still long" and passes, in the press conference from Sanremo, to comment on the inevitable controversies.
Above all the Blanco-gate, the broken reaction of the singer and last year's winner of Sanremo with Mahmood who, due to headphones problems, kicked vases and flowers devastating the Ariston stage.
“Blanco was expected to do something, even maybe kick at a certain point – Amadeus revealed – They told me he could roll over and lie down, that he would do something in particular”.
But «we could not predict Blanco's reaction. I don't feel like, perhaps wrongly, saying that he should no longer be part of the Festival for the next few years or punishing him. I've always found him a polite, helpful, respectful boy . I've never seen someone who seemed dangerous in this sense, it was a surprise for me too last night but I don't feel like giving him a punishment . I would like him to understand, as he did and I'm sure it won't happen again".
«Blanco called me this morning – he added – very sorry, he apologizes to the Festival and to me. He is a talented boy, he made a mistake and he is the first to know it». And again: «That was the anger of a boy who turns 20 in two days who was unleashed on flowers but not out of disrespect for the city of Sanremo and flowers , because he knows well what the meaning and importance are . He did not ask to be understood, but forgiven because he is aware that he has done something he would not have wanted. Maybe when you're 19, you can do something you don't want to do. I don't want to throw the cross on him, but accept the apologies with serenity".
The message of apology "to the city of flowers" on Instagram directly from Blanco also arrives on social media.
From Amadeus also a comment on the criticisms of Matteo Salvini who said that "the Constitution is not defended in Sanremo" , hopes that "Egonu does not come and make a tirade at the Festival on Italy, a racist country" and that "filling the Festival with contents extra festivals, from wars to other things, I don't like it».
"Matteo Salvini has been taking it out on the festival for four years - the conductor articulates - but just don't look at it and I know that he has made it known that he will see a film during the final evening". «At the festival - added the artistic director - everyone has the right to express their thoughts. There is absolute and total freedom.' And Gianni Morandi increased the price: "As also foreseen by article 21 of the Italian Constitution and recalled yesterday evening by Roberto Benigni".
Finally: the question of the five directors of the Rai board of directors who wrote a letter to the president Marinella Soldi to ask why they were not informed of the presence of the president of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, at the opening evening: «The indications received from the Quirinale were maintain maximum confidentiality – he explained – I thanked councilor Grasso and Lucio Presta, two people who have been working closely for a year so that what was in our dreams could be achieved. The President of the Republic came to Sanremo in private form, not even institutional from a formal point of view : also for security reasons we were asked that only the three of us be informed».
" The moment I receive a mandate from the Quirinale, I absolutely have to respect it - concludes Amadeus - it is not disrespect either to the CEO or to the director Coletta, but I had to ensure that what was asked of me was respected". In general, «all the work is shared with the CEO and with Coletta», he adds.
(Unioneonline/D)