The fourth evening of the Sanremo festival was dominated by competition performances in the form of covers and the presence of Bianca Balti as co-host. The model, who has battled cancer, shared a personal confession about the strength of female solidarity. Musically, the event was graced by performances from Laura Pausini and duets by stars such as Alicia Keys and Eros Ramazzotti, attracting a record number of young viewers to the screens.

Bianca Balti's Message

The model moved viewers with her confession about battling cancer and emphasized the importance of female community.

Musical Marathon of Duets

All competing artists performed covers with invited guests, including stars such as Alicia Keys.

Viewership Success

Artistic director Carlo Conti confirmed record-breaking interest in the festival among the younger generation of viewers.

The fourth night of the 76th Italian Song Festival in Sanremo was traditionally dedicated to covers and duets, constituting one of the most anticipated points of the program. The evening was opened by Laura Pausini, who presented an energetic medley of her greatest hits, emphasizing that singing is the highest form of freedom for her. She was accompanied on stage by her husband, guitarist Paolo Carta, which became a pretext for a humorous exchange with the festival's artistic director, Carlo Conti. The evening's program featured performances by all 30 competing artists alongside invited guests, transforming the Ariston Theatre into a great musical fiesta. The central figure of the evening, beyond the purely musical sphere, was supermodel Bianca Balti. Her presence as co-host alongside Nino Frassica and Carlo Conti had a symbolic dimension. Balti, who recently underwent intensive cancer treatment, used the festival stage to raise awareness about the fight against cancer. In moving words, she spoke about her experience with the illness, the loss of close friends she met in the ward, and the crucial role of "sisterhood" in the recovery process. The model revealed that she was supported in difficult times by, among others, Irina Shayk. Her attitude was met with enthusiasm from the audience and recognition from the medical community, which emphasized the importance of overcoming fear after completing treatment. The Sanremo Festival, inaugurated in 1951, is the oldest and most important song contest in Italy, serving as the prototype for the Eurovision Song Contest.In musical terms, the event was graced by performances from international stars. The duet of Eros Ramazzotti and Alicia Keys became one of the most commented moments on social media, blending Italian classics with American soul. Carlo Conti expressed great satisfaction with the viewership results, paying particular attention to the unusually high market shares among the youngest demographic group. Fashion accents were also present – the media widely commented on Bianca Balti's outfits, judged as the peak of elegance in vintage style, and Ditonellapiaga's cabaret style. The entire evening was complemented by the return of Belén Rodríguez, who, after more difficult years in her career, publicly declared she had regained her life force. „Cantare è la cosa che mi fa sentire più libera” (Singing is the thing that makes me feel most free) — Laura Pausini

Mentioned People

  • Bianca Balti — Italian model and co-host of the fourth evening of the festival, speaking about her battle with cancer.
  • Carlo Conti — Artistic director and main host of the Sanremo Festival 2026.
  • Laura Pausini — World-renowned Italian singer who opened the fourth evening of the festival.
  • Eros Ramazzotti — Legendary Italian singer who performed in a duet with Alicia Keys.
  • Alicia Keys — American soul star, special guest of the duets evening.