Mariah Carey was the headline act at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan's San Siro, but she was ultimately upstaged by a parade of popular classical artists and a generous dose of Italian kitsch. The star, known for her whistle notes and chart-topping hits, delivered a subdued rendition of 'Volare' in Italian before transitioning into her single 'Nothing Is Impossible', but her performance was dispatched early in the proceedings.
The ceremony, which eschewed 'hi-tech and bling' according to creative lead Marco Balich, featured giant-headed effigies of composers Verdi, Puccini and Rossini dancing to the 1980s Italo disco hit 'Vamos a la playa'. Andrea Bocelli performed 'Nessun Dorma', while Lang Lang accompanied Cecilia Bartoli, and Laura Pausini sang the Italian national anthem. The eclectic programme also included references to Roman mythology, 18th-century opera and the work of filmmaker Federico Fellini.
BBC commentators provided colourful descriptions throughout the evening, noting that 'beauty – a way of life in Italy!' and cautioning that Mariah Carey's fans 'shouldn't go to the toilet'. The athletes' parade saw the American team receive what was tactfully described as a 'mixed reception', amid International Olympic Committee hopes for mutual respect. Italian rapper Ghali, largely unknown in the UK, also performed but his subdued set gave little indication of his potential.
As the ceremony closed with another appearance by the dancing opera effigies, thoughts turned to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. With Donald Trump still in power, one commentator quipped that audiences could 'look forward to Kid Rock'.
