Festival del Garda 2001: Singing Competition Returns Across Italian Lakes
In the name of beauty. The Festival del Garda, a traveling singing competition now in its sixth edition, continues along the same path as in previous years and entrusts the hosting of the shows to two former Miss Italia winners: Susanna Huckstep, crowned in 1984, and Gloria Zanin, winner of the 1992 edition. The two Italian beauties will alternate during the various evenings scheduled this summer in the most beautiful and picturesque squares of the Benacus territory.
However, before the debut in Volta Mantovana, the only stop on Virgilian land, there will be the prestigious prelude on Saturday, June 30th, at the Vittoriale di Gardone Riviera. The opening gala will be hosted by Federica Moro, who was already a finalist at Cantalago in last year’s successful edition that enlivened the lakefront nights. Moro, also Miss Italia in 1982, will also host the show on Tuesday, August 7th, in Toscolano Maderno.
Main Events and Locations
In Sirmione, still in Lombardy, the debut of Antonella Elia will take place. Overall, twenty evenings are scheduled, five more than last season, reflecting the growth of an event that was born amidst much skepticism and distrust in the summer of 1996.
Alongside the traditional events in the squares of the Riviera degli Olivi, important towns along the Brescia shore such as Gardone, Salò, and Gargnano will also host, as well as the return of Desenzano, which in 1999 hosted the final of the singing tour presented by Simona Ventura and Franco Oppini. For the second consecutive year, the final will not be held in the Veronese.
After Limone, the event moves to Trentino, specifically to Riva, on Monday, August 27th, to conclude the festival dedicated to the singing competition divided into two categories: interpreters and new talents, the latter won in 2000 by Gilberto Lamacchi from Villafranca. He earned a scholarship to attend the Academy of Music at Toscolano, an Umbrian school founded by maestro Mogol, a prize offered by the L’Arena newspaper.
Beyond music, the event will also feature comedy, dance, and the Miss Italia selections, all within a well-orchestrated schedule.
For those interested in participating in the singing contest, the last selection date is Thursday, June 14th, at the Palazzo del Turismo in Piazza Malvezzi, Desenzano. Other auditions have taken place at the Teatro San Marco in Trento, at S. Carlino in Brescia, at Teatreno in Mantova, and at the S. Trinità theatre in Verona.
Presentation and Schedule
The official presentation of the Festival del Garda will be held on Friday, June 22nd at 11 a.m. in the council chamber of the municipality of Toscolano Maderno. Below are all the dates for the 2001 edition of Cantalago, with additional information available on the website www.cantalago.it.
Galas: Saturday, June 30th, at the Vittoriale di Gardone Riviera (Brescia). Qualifying rounds: Friday, July 6th, in Volta Mantovana (Mantua); Saturday, July 7th, in Bussolengo; Friday, July 13th, in Peschiera; Saturday, July 14th, in Desenzano (Brescia); Wednesday, July 18th, in Gargnano (Brescia); Saturday, July 21st, in Bedizzole (Brescia); Wednesday, July 25th, in Montichiari (Brescia); Friday, July 27th, in Torri del Benaco; Sunday, July 29th, in Malcesine; Wednesday, August 1st, in Sirmione (Brescia); Saturday, August 4th, in Cavaion; and Tuesday, August 7th, in Toscolano (Brescia).
The quarter-finals will take place on: Thursday, August 9th, in Garda; Saturday, August 11th, in Torbole; Sunday, August 12th, in Lazise; and Tuesday, August 14th, in Bardolino. The semi-finals will be held in Brescia province, on Thursday, August 16th, in Salò, and Saturday, August 18th, in Limone. The final is scheduled for Monday, August 27th, in del Garda, Trento.
