Yesterday, the rehearsals for Eurovision 2026 continue in Vienna. Countries rehearsing on Day 6 include Italy, Germany, France, United Kingdom, and Austria. The first Automatic Qualifier to rehearse was Italy’s Sal Da Vinci.
What did we learn about Sal Da Vinci’s staging?
The info from the first rehearsal was provided by EBU via Reddit, with the description as follows:
Today in Vienna the theatre-curtain lifted (and in spectacular fashion – those graphics are luxurious) on a riveting tale of romance, as Sal Da Vinci took the stage for Italy. It’s a story that takes place across four acts, and boy does it have a happy ending!
We start with the all-important suit fitting. A pair of groomsmen assist a happy fellow as he chooses the threads for his impending special day. Meanwhile, Sal Da Vinci performs at the front of the stage showing these style wannabes how it’s really done. He’s looking RESPLENDENT in a white suit, modern in style but representative of Naples design. The outfit was made especially for Sal by a Neapolitan designer.
For our next scene, a chandelier is lowered as Sal ushers us into his extravagant ballroom. Here, our excited groom (we’re talking back flips here) and his best men showcase some top-tier choreography. That wedding reception is going to be LIT! But we’ll get to that in due course…
Next up, it’s the big day. And as the blushing bride is finally introduced to audiences at home, walking slowly up the catwalk of the stage, we witness Sal as the multi-tasking man of legend he truly is; today, Sal is moonlighting as the marriage officiant! The happy couple couldn’t be happier. And who can blame them?
Night falls on the Wiener Stadthalle stage and we end the song with the hottest invitation in Naples – the wedding reception! It’s a scene of lemon trees and lights, with fireworks depicted on the graphics behind Sal, too. The firework finish seems appropriate, with the symbolism fitting for the vocal prowess that the singer is displaying right now. The high pitch he’s performing in is rare for a male vocalist… Sal is precisely the kind of gem he loves to point to.
Pictures from yesterday’s rehearsal will be released approximately 24 hours after the rehearsal. We will update this article once it has been released.
Who is Sal da Vinci?
Sal da Vinci is the stage name of Salvatore Michael Sorrentino, a 56-year-old Italian singer and actor born in New York. Growing up in the Mergellina area of Naples, he started his musical journey at a young age, starting to sing at just 6. Throughout the 70s and 80s, he starred in multiple Neopolitan films and theatre productions, with his debut album being released in 1982. In 1995, he performed in front 450,000 people as well as Pope John Paul II. Over the course of his stellar career, he has released 25 different albums.
Sal da Vinci’s will participate at Eurovision 2026 with “Per Sempre Sì” which was co-written by Sal himself, as well as Alessandro La Cava, Eugenio Maimone, Francesco Sorrentino, Federica Abbate, and Merk & Kermont.
Italy’s Eurovision Journey
Italy has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since the very beginning and have always been considered a powerhouse in the contest. The country has won the contest on three occasions in 1964, 1990 and 2021. Italy withdrew after 1997, returning again in 2011 with Raphael Gualazzi who sang ‘Madness Of Love’. Raphael placed second in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest after scoring 189 points.
Italy’s most recent entry in 2025 was “Volevo essere un duro” by Lucio Corsi. At the close of voting, Italy scored a total of 256 points in the Eurovision 2025 Grand Final, placing 5th. Of these, 159 points came from the juries, whilst the remaining 97 points came from the televote.
What do you think of “Per Sempre Si”? Does Sal Da Vinci stand a chance of winning? Let us know your thoughts! Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok as we prepare for Eurovision 2026!
News Source: EBU
Photo Credit: Sal Da Vinci