Female artists returning to Sanremo: Fiorella Mannoia, Loredana Bertè, Emma and Annalisa

It's now just a short time until Sanremo 2024, which will take place from February 6 to 10. As the date of the first evening approaches, we already know several details about this 74th edition, starting from who will join Amadeus in hosting, who the guests will be, and who will perform in an attempt to win the Festival and secure top spots on Spotify. On stage as co-hosts, we will see Marco Mengoni, Giorgia, Teresa Mannino, Lorella Cuccarini, and, for the grand finale on Saturday, Fiorello. Meanwhile, a total of 30 artists will compete, with diverse styles and backgrounds promising to satisfy and engage different generations of the audience. There will be many debuts, including artists like BigMama and Clara Soccini, the winner of Sanremo Giovani. Additionally, there are significant returns of figures absent from the most famous stage in Italy for a long time. Among them are four women who have distinguished themselves in past editions, contributing to the history of the Festival: Fiorella Mannoia, Loredana Bertè, Emma, and Annalisa. What will they offer in terms of songs and looks? Will they earn us points in FantaSanremo?

Fiorella Mannoia

The first time Fiorella Mannoia participated in Sanremo was in 1981 with Caffè nero bollente. Her last appearance was seven years ago with Che sia benedetta. In between, she had songs that became part of the history of Italian music, from Come si cambia in 1984 to Quello che le donne non dicono in 1987, a song specifically written for her by Enrico Ruggeri, winning the critics' prize at the 37th edition of the Festival. Despite past participations and over fifty years of career, she says she never gets used to the excitement of that stage and the judgment of the people. In Sanremo 2024, the singer will present Mariposa, a song with Latin folk sounds that tells the story of female pride, inspired by Il grido delle farfalle, the TV series about the Maribal sisters, Dominican activists opposing President Trujillo's dictatorship, assassinated by the Military Intelligence Service on November 25, 1960, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Speaking about Mariposa, Mannoia said, "there is the pride of belonging to the other half of the sky; we are in a moment where women are finally becoming aware of their emancipation, and the song is a journey through history: for better or for worse, we are all of this." While curiosity grows about the new piece, it is already known that the singer with ginger hair will duet on the cover night with Francesco Gabbani, presenting a mix of her Che sia benedetta and his hit Occidentali's karma. There are also small hints about the look, signed by Luisa Spagnoli, which will be feminine but not overly sexy, "in line with the proudly dedicated manifesto song to the figure of women."

Loredana Bertè

With 12 participations in the competition, the first in 1986 with Re and the most recent in 2019 with Cosa ti aspetti da me, Loredana Bertè is one of the veterans of this edition. At Sanremo 2024, she will bring her characteristic charisma, turquoise hair, and rumored outfits from a major Italian brand to present Pazza. The piece, which promises to be the most rock of this edition, is dedicated "to all those who are crazy because madness, for me, rhymes with freedom." The song is an anthem to self-love, to stop hating oneself and worrying about the judgment of others. Verses like "Sono sempre la ragazza, che per poco già s'incazza, amarmi non è facile" and "Io cammino nella giungla con gli stivaletti a punta e ballo sulle vipere" are destined to become a mantra. During the cover night, Bertè will perform with Venerus with Ragazzo mio by Luigi Tenco, arranged by Ivano Fossati for the occasion.

Emma

She made her debut at Ariston in 2011 with Modà with Arriverà. She won in 2012 with Non è l’inferno. In 2015, she even co-hosted with Carlo Conti, Arisa, and Rocío Muñoz Morales. Now, Emma Marrone returns to Sanremo, two years after her performance with Lazza in the duet night of 2023, with a musical project that tells a personal renewal and promises to get viewers off their couches (and perhaps even the audience in the hall) with her electronic sound and catchy rhythm. In this edition of the Festival, the Puglian singer brings Apnea, an adrenaline-filled song written with Paolo Antonacci, Davide Petrella, and Julien Boverod that describes an emotion so strong it takes your breath away, giving the impression of being immersed in another dimension. Emma doesn't want to reveal too many details about the meaning of the song or the performance, but it is known that on Friday, February 9, she will sing a Tiziano Ferro medley with Bresh and will have some big surprises in terms of fashion. For several weeks, Marrone has been flaunting a new hairstyle created by Andrea Soriga, a medium chocolate bob cut, and it is known that she will showcase a series of outfits "unconventional by internationally renowned names," chosen for her by Dua Lipa's stylist, Lorenzo Posocco, who anticipates "a new Emma, an Emma like we have never seen before."

Annalisa

At her sixth Sanremo, the first in 2013 with Scintille and the last in 2021 with Dieci, Annalisa returns to the Ariston stage with one goal: to win. And, according to predictions that make her the favorite, she might succeed with Sinceramente, an electro-pop song with a tight rhythm. The center of the lyrics "is a strong woman who claims her right to be free." As the Savonese singer explained, "free to take myself seriously and be light, to be ambitious, to express myself, cry, joke, complain, rejoice, without being judged, but rather understood and respected. Free to be. I think freedom is the greatest declaration of love possible. Because if I am free, I am "sincerely" yours." There are also high expectations for the cover of Sweet dreams (Are made of this) by Eurythmics that she will present on Friday, February 9, with La Rappresentante di Lista and the choir Artemia. As for the looks for Sanremo 2024? No spoilers from her stylist, Susanna Ausoni. At Sanremo Giovani, she opted for Dolce&Gabbana, confirming the sensual turn of recent months. Who knows if she will confirm the choice for the Festival nights.