Here is this year’s line-up:

Albano - Verso il Sole (Towards the Sun) A. Carrisi/V. Cidda

He won the Festival in 1984 singing the song Ci sarà (There will be) - the same year Eros Ramazzotti won the New Singers’ Competition - together with his wife Romina Power (Tyrone Power's daughter) and entered the Eurovision the year after with the song Magic Oh Magic taking 7th place. They have won many golden discs on the Continent, mainly in Germany, Austria and Spain and among their biggest hits is Felicità (Happiness). Last year he entered the competition with E' la mia vita (It’s my life) taking 7th place.

Francesco Baccini - Senza Tu (Without You) F. Baccini/G. Conte

Coming from Genoa, Francesco (36) is an Italian songwriter of funny lyrics, and his songs are characterized by themes half serious, half amusing. His major album is Cartoon including the big hit Le donne di Modena (Women from Modena). He is the goal-keeper of the Italian Singers National Football Team. His latest album is Baccini a Colori (Coloured Baccini).

Loredana Bertè - Luna (Moon) M. Piccoli/L. Berté

The sister of the unforgettable Mia Martini (whose real name was Domenica Bertè), Loredana (46) is one of the few Italian female rock singers together with Gianna Nannini, who was first successful in the late 70s thanks to big hits such as Non sono una Signora (I’m Not A Lady), Per I Tuoi Occhi (For Your Eyes) and Il Mare d'Inverno (The Winter Sea). In the past Enrico Ruggeri (ESC 1993) has been one of the writers of her songs, but now she likes composing them by herself. She was married to the former Tennis champion Bjorn Borg.

Cattivi Pensieri - Quello Che Sento (What I feel) C. Carolfi/D. De Marinis/N. Fragile/D. Bosio

The major hit of this young pop band is Emozione (Emotion), a song which enjoyed extensive air-play during Summer 1996. The leading voice is Cinzia (28), a blonde girl writing also some of her band's songs. Their latest album is Un'incredibile storia (An Incredible Story) and you can find more news about them at http://www.cattivipensieri.it

Toto Cutugno - Faccia Pulita (Open Countenance) S. Cutugno

Toto Cutugno is one of the most prolific Italian songwriters having written hundreds of songs for many singers. His most successful songs were performed by Adriano Celentano, Fausto Leali, Fiordaliso, and many others. Despite of his success he's not really loved by Italian critics who accuse him of not writing deep songs. As a matter of fact his records sell better abroad than in Italy. He won Sanremo 1980 performing Solo Noi (Only Us), but that was his only victory. He's also called the eternal second since he has not been able to win another edition of the contest, taking 2nd place several times to date. His greatest hit is L'Italiano (The Italian Man), recorded in 1983 and translated into many languages. In 1990 he entered and won the ESC performing Insieme 1992 (Together 1992). That year he took 2nd place at Sanremo with Gli Amori (The Loves), but was allowed to enter the Eurovision because the band POOH (Sanremo winner with Uomini Soli) declined. In 1991 he presented the ESC final which took place in Rome. Last year he entered Sanremo with Voglio Andare a Vivere in Campagna (I want to go to live in the country), a Gypsy Kings-like catchy song which sold well in some European countries, most notably in Greece.

Dirotta su Cuba - Ho Voglia di Te (I want You) Cheope/De Donato/Bencini/Ravasini/Gentili/D’Emilio

This funky band (female singer plus two male musicians) were first successful in 1995 with the song Gelosia (Jealousy). Their music, built on a strong use of horns, seems to be fairly appreciated, but they still have to prove themselves to be stars.

Fausto Leali - Non Ami Che Te (You Love Nobody But Youself) R. Pacco

Since the late 60s Fausto Leali (52) has been The Italian black voice, performing great songs and enjoying a good success through the years. His greatest hits are A Chi (To Whom), Io Amo (I Love), Mi Manchi (I Miss You) and Ti Lascerò (I’ll Allow You) performed with Anna Oxa at Sanremo 1989 taking 1st place. He entered the ESC the same year with Avrei Voluto (I’d have wanted) again with Anna Oxa. This year he will perform accompanied by a band of important American musicians.

Nek - Laura Non C'è (Laura Is Not Here) A. De Sanctis/Nek/M. Varini

One of the new Italian singers, Nek's greatest success is the 1996 album Lei, Gli Amici e Tutto il Resto, winner of a golden disc, including Dimmi Di No (Tell Me No). His style is pop/rock. He is one of the rising stars of our music firmament, and the Festival could be his springboard. Girls love him because of his good looks and he could be one of the Festival surprises.

New Trolls feauturing Greta - Alianti Liberi (Free Gliders) Eliop/M. Cattapani/V. De Scalzi/N. Di Palo/S. Labate

The New Trolls were one of the most successful 70s bands thanks to albums such as Concerto Grosso (recorded in English) and songs like Quella Carezza Della Sera (That Part Of The Evening). Last year they entered Sanremo without fortune, and hope to do better this year.

Anna Oxa - Storie (Stories) Depsa/M. Marati/S. Monetti/A. Valsiglio/F. Zanotti

Anna Oxa (35) is one of the favourite of the ESC fans thanks to her performance in 1989 with Avrei Voluto (I’d have wanted). She began her career at Sanremo 1978 performing Un'emozione da Poco (A Small Emotion) when she was just 18! Since then she's has been one of the best Italian singers showing great voice, personality and sex-appeal. In 1989 she won Sanremo with Ti Lascerò (I'll Allow You) duetting with Fausto Leali. Twice married, she has two kids: Francesca and Quazim. Her latest appearance at Sanremo was in 1990 with Donna Con Te (Woman With You).

Patty Pravo - E Dimmi Che Non Vuoi Morire (And Tell Me That You Don't Want to Die) V. Rossi/G. Curreri

Patty Pravo (48), one of the legends of the 60s, comes back to the Festival with a song written by the rockstar Vasco Rossi. Patty is known in several countries thanks to hits such as La Bambola (The Doll) and Pazza Idea (Crazy Idea), and her fame can be paralleled to that of Mina, another (or possibly the) big Italian Voice. A strong contender with great class.

Pitura Freska - Papa Nero (Black Papa) Skardy/M. Forieri/C. Verardo/V. Silvestri/F. Duse

A nonconformist reggae band, mostly known in the Italian North- East. They sing in the dialect of Veneto and could be as much of a surprise as Elio e le Storie Tese were in 1996. Their greatest hit is Pin Floi and the band leader is Sir Oliver Skardy (37)

Ragazzi Italiani - Vero Amore (True Love) M.G. Fontana/A. Baroni/A. Galbiati/C. Palmas

The Italian answer to Take That...

Massimo Ranieri - Ti Parlerò d'Amore (I'll Talk To You About Love) G. Morra/G. Togni

Actor, singer, presenter Massimo Ranieri (45), from Naples, is an eclectic artist who began his career many years ago when he was a teenager. Great voice, he was triumphant at Sanremo 1988 with Perdere l'Amore (Losing the Love). In 1973 he represented Italy at the ESC with Chi Sarà Con Te (Who will be with you) and taking the 13th place.

Syria - Sei Tu Che Mi Manchi (It's you missing to me) C. Mattone/A. Salerno

Young (19), nice, pleasant voice. She won the 1996 New Singer's Competition, but her album was not a big success. What about 1997?

Tosca - Il Respiro Più Grande (The Largest Breath) S. Tamaro/Ron

She featured on the 1996 winning song Vorrei Incontrarti Tra Cent’ Anni (I would like meeting you in 100 years) performed by Ron. Pleasant voice, but not particularly powerful, she performs a song written by the novelist Susanna Tamaro and Ron.