Giovanni Scribano wins The Voice Senior season seven on Rai 1 televote

The final on Rai 1

Giovanni Scribano won the seventh season of The Voice Senior, the Rai 1 talent show hosted by Antonella Clerici that showcases singers over 60. The final aired on Friday, 13 November, and viewers at home chose the winner through televoting. Twelve talents reached the last evening, and the contest narrowed to four singers before the decisive round.

The final four were Scribano, Anna Cuomo and Sabrina Brodosi, both from Fiorella Mannoia's team, and Cristina Orsi, whom Nek had brought into the final. In the last head-to-head contest, Scribano beat the other three. Arisa embraced him on stage after the result was announced.

Scribano reacted right after receiving the prize.

“I can't believe it, I don't know if I'm dreaming, I'm the winner of The Voice Senior and it's beautiful, I still have to process it, my heart is bursting.”

From Treviso to the stage

Scribano is a 60-year-old musician and singer from Treviso who has played piano bars, clubs and concerts around Italy and beyond. He began playing guitar at 12, after his uncle gave him one, and his rock taste was shaped by Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. At the Blind Auditions in October he sang Più su by Renato Zero, which turned Arisa, Clementino and Rocco Hunt, and he chose Arisa's team. In the semifinal he sang Questo piccolo grande amore by Claudio Baglioni, and in the final he performed Ricordati di me by Antonello Venditti, which won over the audience.

Illness and recovery

Scribano told Fanpage he had breast cancer, which he called rare for a man, and said that during the illness he saw his life through hospital windows for two years. Rai News reported that the show's cameras followed him back to the hospital where he had been treated, so he could thank the staff before the final. He has said that music carried him through treatment.

“Music gave me everything and, even in the hardest moments, it saved my life.”

Prize and next steps

The win gives Scribano the chance to release a song with Warner Music Italia. The contract could lead to his first album, which might include Amami, a self-produced song released on 5 November. His victory also places his name in the show's roll of winners.