ROME --  It has been announced that the grand final of the Italian talent show “Dallo stornello al rap” (From Folk to Rap) will be a big gala event “in celebration of Roman song” with award-winning Italian singer and actress Elena Bonelli, a symphonic orchestra, and the three competition-winners.

 On Monday October 17 at Rome’s Olympic Theatre, Elena Bonelli will announce the finalists of the second edition of “Dallo stornello al rap,” brainchild of the singer, which was already successfully executed the preceding year. It will be a grand gala event for Roman song, which will stage her as the protagonist of an evening dedicated to her city.

 Just as in the first talent show of this series that had hundreds of participants and Cranio Randagio crowned as the winner, Bonelli will follow the same format this year, showcasing her newly-found Roman talents, selected by an important jury with many authoritative names from the Italian artistic and musical scene. The main competition judge is the famous Italian singer-songwriter Antonello Venditti.

 Bonelli, considered by many as the voice of Roman culture in the world, is an actress and singer with international scope, having performed in the most prestigious theatres in over 130 countries in the world.

 She will open the celebration with a performance of “the most beautiful Roman songs”, accompanied by a symphonic orchestra, ranging from songs from the 1800s adapted for the contemporary orchestra, to “Quanto sei bella Roma’ (How beautiful you are, Rome), “Chitarra romana” (Roman guitar), and many others including original songs written by Bonelli herself.

 During her performance, stills from films by the great Italian director Carlo Lizzani will be projected against the walls. There will also be various performances from special guests announced on the evening. Then will follow the moment of truth with the new talented finalists’ shows and prize-giving that will end in the announcement of the winner.

 The cultural fruits will all be “dedicated to the Italian capital, which seems to have given way to indifference and disinterest, but that instead strongly desires to refuel its cultural production and hope for a better future.”

 nkd