The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo featured a special and emotional moment with the participation of American singer Mariah Carey. The global superstar surprised audiences by performing the Italian classic “Nel blu, dipinto di blu,” widely known as “Volare.” The choice of the song was deeply symbolic.
“Volare” is one of Italy’s most iconic musical anthems, and its interpretation by an international artist reflected the Olympic spirit of cultural connection and shared celebration. Carey, renowned for her powerful voice and global career, delivered a respectful and refined rendition of the song, earning immediate applause inside the venue and strong reactions worldwide. Her performance was widely seen as a tribute to Italian musical heritage and to the host nation.
Organizers designed the opening ceremony to showcase world-class artistic talent, bringing together international stars and Italian cultural icons. Alongside Mariah Carey, the lineup also includes celebrated tenor Andrea Bocelli and renowned singer Laura Pausini. The presence of these artists reinforces the ambition to create an opening ceremony that goes beyond sport, offering a global cultural experience capable of resonating with audiences across continents through music.
Despite the star-studded lineup, organizers emphasized that the spotlight ultimately belongs elsewhere. The artistic director of the ceremony, Marco Balich, stressed that the true protagonists are not the performers on stage.
“The real stars of the ceremony are the athletes — these wonderful young athletes from more than 100 countries around the world,” Balich said, highlighting the human and symbolic core of the Olympic movement. In this spirit, Mariah Carey’s performance became a moment of celebration and welcome, framing an opening ceremony designed to balance spectacle, culture, and the unifying values of sport.
