Sanremo song fest starts with furore, high ratings
Comedian Crozza booed during Berlusconi impersonation
13 February, 16:59
(ANSA) - Sanremo, February 13 - Italy's historic and
much-loved Sanremo song festival kicked off with high ratings
and political controversy on Tuesday.The opening night of the 2013 festival risked hitting a sour note when comedian Maurizio Crozza came on and started to do his famous impersonation of ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi.
Crozza was heckled by sections of the audience, with some shouting "no politics". With the country due to go to the polls on February 24-25, media coverage of politics is restricted by strict pre-election rules. The audience eventually calmed down and Crozza went on to finish his act, which included impersonations of centre-left coalition leader Pier Luigi Bersani and other political figures, to warm applause.
Nevertheless, Berlusconi, who is leading the centre-right's campaign, said Wednesday that the comedian's number will turn out to have a "boomerang" effect for the centre-left of Pier Luigi Bersani, the frontrunner in the opinion polls. Berlusconi had previously said he did not think the festival should be held during the election campaign.
The controversy did not stop the opening night being a big hit with viewers.
Figures released Wednesday showed that 14.196 million people, 47.61% of Italian viewers, turned in to the first part of the show.
The second half, which included Crozza's act, had a lower average viewer figure of 8.146 million, but a higher share of the overall audience, 53.54%, because it was later at night.
Indeed, the viewing figure hit a peak of over 17 million during Crozza's performance. "We are very happy," said Fabio Fazio, the festival's main host.
"The (viewing-figure) result was beyond our best expectations. We are even more relaxed now about the nights to come. "It was generous of Maurizio (Crozza) to come. Crozza did a series of important political leaders. He was not clearly against anyone". Berlusconi has suggested Italians should boycott payment of their TV licence fee if the festival, shown by state broadcaster RAI, provides a platform for left-wing views. The show is hosted by Fazio and comedian Luciana Littizzetto, both of whom are left-leaning. The Sanremo festival is an institution for Italian music fans and star-curious alike. The festival's first edition was in 1951 with only two participants, but since then it has launched the careers of a number of Italy's top singers like Eros Ramazotti and Laura Pausini. photo: Maurizio Crozza doing impersonations of various Italian politicians.
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