VIVA SANREMO

There is something mesmerising about watching the Sanremo Song Festival, which is what I am doing as I write: the stage sets are spectacular, watching the audience is almost as interesting as watching those on the famous Ariston stage and the sponsorship spots are so corny and contrived that they are almost good.

This year's 61st edition has pop legend Gianni Morandi as host, with Elisabetta Canalis - who is displaying quite a comic talent as well as that well-known combination of beauty and Italian style - and the ubiquitous Belén Rodriguez as his assistants.  The dresses, of course, are superb, as is the make-up which I, along with millions of women, have been analysing carefully.  Oh, and the songs aren't bad, either!  This is the one I am rooting for and I have to admit it moves me to tears:

Roberto Vecchioni - Chiamami ancora amore

The Festival gave rise to controversy - as it does almost every year - long before it began, when it was suggested that both the partisan song, Bella Ciao and the fascist anthem, Giovinezza, be sung at tomorrow evening's special celebration of the 150th anniversary of Italian Unification.  Needless to say, this idea caused uproar and few artists were prepared to sing Giovinezza anyway.  In the end, Rai decided that neither song would be sung.  Then there was a furore over the participation of Belén Rodriguez, mainly because of the company the lady had been keeping, but that eventually died down.

Apart from Roberto Vecchioni's wonderful performances of Chiamami ancora amore and last night's Argentinian tango, my favourite moment of the Festival so far has to be the moment, again last night, when Canalis stepped on Belén's gown:  "You're doing it on purpose", said Belén, smiling sweetly, a charge which Canalis denied.  I for one would much rather watch a good catfight than crooning ersatz royals so I live in hope of being entertained by the sight of the two women pulling each other's hair out before the end of the Festival.