Naples, Italy – Veteran Italian singer Patty Pravo is preparing to return to the Sanremo Music Festival with a new song, “Opera,” set to be released on March 6, 2026. The appearance marks her eleventh time competing in the prestigious Italian song contest, and comes as she celebrates six decades in the music industry.
Pravo, 77, described the song as a celebration of individuality, stating, “It speaks to the uniqueness of all of us in this world, because we are all unique works of art.” The inspiration for “Opera” came from a dream experienced by Simone Folco, her image curator and assistant, who relayed it to songwriter Giovanni Caccamo.
“Giovanni is our friend,” Pravo explained, adding that Folco’s dream at 4:00 AM directly led to the creation of the song. She emphasized that her participation in Sanremo isn’t driven by competition, but by a desire to share music she believes in. “I don’t have a competitive spirit; I go only because I think I have a beautiful song to sing. And then the Festival is the only fun thing we have left,” she said.
The upcoming album, titled “Opera,” is Pravo’s twenty-ninth studio album. It follows her 2019 release, “Red,” and features singles “Ho Provato Tutto” (written by Francesco Bianconi of Baustelle) and “Ratatan” (written by Marianne Mirage and Andrea Bonomo). The album is described as a result of “intense process of musical research, graphic arts, drawing and painting.”
Pravo also reflected on past Sanremo appearances, expressing a willingness to repeat the experience. “I have no idea anymore, but every time is different, so yes, I would do it all again,” she stated. She also addressed a past opportunity she declined, referencing the song “Donna con te.” “No, it’s not in my nature. I didn’t want to do it because the lyrics didn’t work and I wasn’t allowed to change them,” she explained, noting that her own version, titled “Fandango,” was released seven years ago.
She praised Anna Oxa’s performance of “Donna con te” at the 2026 festival, stating, “Good for Anna Oxa, who came fourth. She’s amazing.” Pravo also recalled her influence on Oxa’s image in 1978, mentioning that she and Ivan Cattaneo suggested a “pseudo-punk look” for the singer, “Pipe included.”
The cover art for “Opera” pays homage to Ornella Vanoni, a fellow Italian singer whom Pravo deeply admires. “Yes, because I miss Ornella Vanoni so much and I wanted to pay tribute to her,” Pravo said. The accompanying choreography for the song is by Timofej Andrijashenko, principal dancer of La Scala, and is based on a piece by Gino Paoli and Peppe Vessicchio.
Pravo described Vanoni as representing “Sixty years of life. We’ve known each other for so long and worked together on so many things that we couldn’t help but be friends.”
The Sanremo Music Festival, broadcast nationally in Italy, remains a significant cultural event, often influencing the country’s musical landscape and launching artists to international recognition. Pravo’s return is anticipated to be a highlight of the 2026 competition, bringing her decades of experience and a message of self-acceptance to the stage.
The album “Opera” will be available on March 6, 2026, in CD and clear vinyl formats.
