Carlo Conti discusses Sanremo 2026 preparation and personal life on Verissimo
The conductor and artistic director of the 76th Sanremo Festival appeared on Italian television to discuss his career, family, and upcoming hosting duties.
February 1, 2026
Carlo Conti, conductor and artistic director of the Sanremo Festival, appeared Sunday on Verissimo, the weekend talk show hosted by Silvia Toffanin on Canale 5, for his first time on the program.
The 76th edition of the music festival will air from February 24 to 28, 2026, in prime time on Rai 1, with simulcast on Radio2 and RaiPlay, from the Teatro Ariston in Sanremo. Conti will guide his fifth Festival. The event will feature 30 competing artists, including Fedez and Masini, Arisa, Leo Gassmann, Fulminacci, and Tredici Pietro, among others.
During the interview, Conti reflected on his emotional experiences at Sanremo. He stated that he has been moved only twice while conducting the festival: in 2015 during his first edition, and in 2017 when Giorgio Panariello and Leonardo Pieraccioni arrived from backstage. Conti described Panariello and Pieraccioni as brothers to him not only in entertainment but in life, noting he has known Pieraccioni for many years.
Conti discussed his path to Sanremo, saying he never actively pursued the role. He credited Antonella Clerici with helping him get married, according to remarks made during the interview. When asked about his appearance on Verissimo, Conti joked that fellow broadcaster Gerry Scotti had advised him to bring tissues because he would need them.
The conductor opened up about his personal life, including his experience becoming a father at age 52. He described this as the right moment for him, explaining that his age allowed him to approach fatherhood with greater serenity and balance. He spoke about how becoming a parent in adulthood gave him a new perspective on life's priorities, making him more present and aware.
Conti also reflected on his mother, recalling how she remained alone after his father's death from lung cancer. He described how his mother spent all her savings on experimental treatments for his father during the 1960s and subsequently worked hard to raise him alone.
Conti marked 40 years of career and loyalty to Rai, Italy's state broadcaster, the previous year. During the Verissimo appearance, he discussed his early television work and his entry into music, including a single titled "It's Ok It's All Right" that he recorded during a period when all deejays were expected to release records. He also recorded another single called "Through The Night."