Managing the press and emotional communication at Sanremo: protecting the voice and building one’s public presence

At the Sanremo Music Festival, media attention is constant: interviews, press conferences, backstage moments, social media, talk shows. For a singer, this represents one of the most delicate moments of the week: the voice must be preserved, yet communication must remain effective, authentic, and confident.

Communication is not an “additional” part of the performance: it is its continuation.

1. Managing the voice during interviews: avoiding hidden vocal fatigue

Interviews are deceptive: they are short and seem light, but when added together they can be far more fatiguing than rehearsals.

To protect the voice:

• use a soft, conversational voice, never pushed

• avoid speaking over background noise in crowded environments (press rooms, corridors, backstage)

• maintain constant hydration

• schedule moments of vocal rest between sessions

• favor concise, focused answers

The rule is: speak well, speak less, speak when necessary.

2. Communicative presence: choosing how to show up

Every artist at Sanremo creates a narrative around their presence. Communication determines:

• how the voice is perceived

• how the song is interpreted

• the type of emotional connection with the audience

Key elements:

• open, grounded posture, even during seated interviews

• vocal tone consistent with the artistic image

• calibrated gestures

• energy that reflects the message of the song

Consistency between posture, voice, and storytelling creates identity.

3. Techniques for effective emotional communication

Emotional communication does not mean “being theatrical,” but knowing how to convey authenticity.

Useful tools:

• micro-pauses that give breathing space to speech

• present, steady eye contact

• calm breathing to avoid rushing responses

• conscious use of the voice: not too low, never forced, modulated according to emotion

Well-regulated emotional communication reduces laryngeal stress and enhances perceived authority.

4. Protecting one’s emotional space

Media exposure can be intense: comments, pressure, judgments. The artist must preserve an “emotional perimeter” that protects the performance.

Practical tools:

• scheduled moments of silence

• brief debriefing after each appearance

• personal rituals (breathing, grounding, calming music)

• choosing which questions deserve an answer and which do not

Protecting emotional energy means protecting the voice.

5. Preparing language consistent with the song

What is communicated to others influences how the song is perceived. Before the Festival, it is useful to prepare:

• 2–3 key concepts to repeat during interviews

• a short sentence that summarizes the meaning of the song

• a communicative tone consistent with the artistic intention

This allows the artist to:

• avoid vocal overload

• maintain a clear identity

• respond effectively even as fatigue increases

6. Communication and voice: a direct relationship

When communication flows smoothly:

• the voice stays soft

• the larynx does not stiffen

• breathing remains low and expansive

• the artist avoids early vocal fatigue

Spoken words are an integral part of the vocal performance throughout the entire week.

7. Social media communication during Sanremo

Today, social media amplifies everything. Managing it means:

• avoiding vocal overload from continuous vocal videos or recordings

• choosing short, effective communications

• focusing on quality over quantity

• avoiding emotional stress from comments or external expectations

The focus must remain on the performance, not on the algorithm.

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Valentina Carlile - Osteopath specializing in Osteopathy for Voice and Speech Disorders since 2002. For information and bookings, visit the Contact page.

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