Francesco Renga, Marco Mengoni and Annalisa Scarrone among the big names. This, at least according to initial rumors. With just 71 days left for to the next Festival of Italian Song, the first rumours about Italy’s biggest show can now be confirmed. Gianni Morandi has already been confirmed as head of Italy's most famous singing event (after the refusal of Carlo Conti, Antonella Clerici and Federica Pellegrini) but the rest of the cast is still being decided.

Among the big names who should certainly participate  include Nina Zilli,  Francesco Renga (won Sanremo in 2005 with ‘Angelo’) , Marco Mengoni (started off from X Factor and placed 2nd in Sanremo 2010), Samuele Bersani, Nek, Naomi (participated with Marco Mengoni in X Factor) and Annalisa Scarrone, launched by  Amici in  2010. Also from X Factor, Morgan, one of the judges of the reality show may surprisingly participate in this year’s edition after failing a doping test last year, and was eliminated from the competition.

In this year’s edition, more space will be given to upcoming artists from various talent shows and TV programmes, since in recent years, they seem to have become quite favourite with the Italians. Gianni Morandi, meanwhile, along with the artistic director of the Sanremo Festival, Gianmarco Mazzi, is listening to the various singers candidates for the singing competition, which is held from 14th to 18th February 2012 from the usual the big stage at the Teatro Ariston. It has also been noted that Italy should be returning to the Eurovision Song Contest with this competition serving as the platform through which the entrant is chosen. This is to be confirmed by RAI and the EBU in the coming days.

Big names who surely won’t be present in this year’s edition include Edward Jackson, who refused the invitation, whilst Samuel Bersani may be back after 12 years. As for ‘le vallette’ (the models), the rumors of a meeting in London between Morandi and the beautiful Tamara Ecclestone, daughter of the famous Bernie, the man behind Formula Uno may be  included among the five (5) chosen to alternate next to the presenter during the evenings. International guests should arrive on the third night, and their performance, according to unofficial rumours, should also include an Italian folk song.

Source: lanostratv.it, diredonna.it, TV Sorrisi magazine