To open the world’s largest celebration of sport, the organizers behind the Milan Cortina Olympic Games put Italian fashion, art and classical music at the centre of its welcome ceremony.
Sometimes cheeky – there was an extended dance sequence featuring lifesize bobblehead opera maestros – but always chic – the Italian flag was introduced by dozens of runway models wearing green, white and red Giorgio Armani power suits – the nearly four-hour ceremony leaned heavily toward on-the-nose Italian references, including nods to everything from the Renaissance and Ancient Rome, to Italian hand gestures and cuisine.
And while the show was more modest in comparison to other recent opening ceremonies, it still packed star power, including a campy dance performance from Italian actress Sabrina Impacciatore (the hotel manager from the second season of The White Lotus) and a brief appearance by Mariah Carey.
Milan shakes its blues away and starts to enjoy the Olympics buzz
But it was Andrea Bocelli’s shivers-inducing performance of Giacomo Puccini’s Nessun dorma that will become synonymous with the event, in the same way that Celine Dion’s rendition of Hymne à l’amour atop the Eiffel Tower is among the most enduring images of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The legendary Italian tenor sang as the Olympic flame was carried through Milan’s San Siro Olympic Stadium on its way to the cauldron at the Arco della Pace. In a reflection of the twin host cities, a second cauldron was lit almost simultaneously in Cortina.
Flag bearers from Canada, Mikael Kingsbury and Marielle Thompson, lead the team during the Olympic opening ceremony.Cameron Spencer/The Associated Press
Friday’s ceremony marked the first time in history when elements of the opening ceremony took place in multiple cities, reflecting the sprawling nature of these Games.
For the Parade of Athletes – where competitors traditionally enter the host stadium behind their country’s flag – athletes competing outside of Milan took part in smaller parades set in Cortina, Livigno and Predazzo, which were broadcast into the stadium.
While the theme of the opening ceremony was “Harmony” or “Armonia” in Italian, the night was peppered with reminders of global tensions and unrest.
A dance performance inspired by the myth of Cupid and Psyche.Yves Herman/Reuters
The American delegation in Milan was initially greeted – mostly – with applause from the Italian crowd, which featured a large contingent of American spectators. But the arena descended into boos once U.S. Vice-President JD Vance, who was in attendance, appeared on the Jumbotron. The Israeli delegation was also briefly booed. By contrast, Ukrainian athletes were met with thunderous applause.
“At a time when so much of the world is divided by conflict, your very presence demonstrates that another world is possible – one of unity, respect and harmony,” said Giovanni Malagò, the president of the Games’ organizing committee, in a speech.
Kirsty Coventry, the president of the International Olympic Committee and the first woman to hold the title, added shortly after: “The spirit of the Olympic Games is about so much more than sport … our strength comes from how we treat each other, and that the best of humanity is found in courage, compassion and kindness.”
Matilda De Angelis performs with three actors dressed as the great masters of Italian Opera, Giuseppe Verdei, Giacomo Puccini, and Gioachino Rossini.Maja Hitij/Getty Images
It’s estimated that as many as 60,000 spectators watched the opening ceremony from inside the historic San Siro stadium.
While the show didn’t start until 8 p.m., long lines began encircling the stadium more than three hours early.
The ceremony began with a dance performance inspired by the myth of Cupid and Psyche, where marble sculptures came to life on a museum floor. This first section was made to showcase the beautiful elements of harmony.
Giant paint tubes spill red, yellow and blue fabric 'paint' onto the dance floor.Susana Vera/Reuters
The show then moved into a “parade of icons,” to celebrate Italian creativity. This opened with an orchestra conductor and costumed actors portraying three great masters of Italian opera – Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini and Gioachino Rossini – leading a bevy of dancing music notes.
About 10 minutes in, three giant paint tubes descended from the heavens, spilling reams of red, yellow and blue fabric “paint” onto the centre of the dance floor, which was soon filled with dozens of characters representing various parts of Italian culture, from literature and fashion to the Venetian masquerade.
According to organizers, more than 1,300 cast members, including performers and volunteers, took part in the show, which highlighted a slew of Italian celebrities and notable figures, including Grammy-winner Laura Pausini, who sang the national anthem. Actor Pierfrancesco Favino, Italian racing icon Valentino Rossi and Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella were also all featured in cameos.