Milan Cortina opening ceremony celebrated Italy's cultural heritage

The Milan Cortina 2026 opening ceremony at San Siro highlighted Italian music, fashion and regional culture across four host sites, featuring performances by Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Mariah Carey and rapper Ghali.

The Milan Cortina 2026 opening ceremony took place primarily at Milan's San Siro stadium under the theme Armonia (Harmony). It presented music, fashion and regional culture and was staged across four host sites in northern Italy. Performers included Andrea Bocelli, who sang "Nessun Dorma," Laura Pausini, Mariah Carey and rapper Ghali, among others. The event combined references to Italy's cultural past with contemporary acts and tributes. Notable elements: - The ceremony's stated theme was Armonia (Harmony). - The main venue was Milan's San Siro, with about 80,000 reported in attendance, and segments were also held across three other host sites in northern Italy. - Andrea Bocelli performed "Nessun Dorma," and Laura Pausini sang the Italian national anthem; Mariah Carey performed "Nel blu, dipinto di blu." - Violinist Giovanni Andrea Zenon played a 1716 Stradivarius during the show, and the program included dancers from La Scala and a segment on Italian hand gestures. - The ceremony included references to fashion designer Giorgio Armani and featured Milan-born rapper Ghali as a representation of contemporary Italian culture. Summary: The opening ceremony presented a blend of tradition and modernity, emphasizing Italian music, fashion and regional identity. The Olympic Games will continue across the co-host cities for the next two and a half weeks with further events and competitions scheduled.