Performing for Italy in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is singer and television personality Sal Da Vinci.
The 57-year-old, whose stage name is Salvatore Michael Sorrentino, will be representing his country in the final of this year’s competition which takes place in the Austrian city of Vienna on Saturday night (May 16).
Sal was selected by Italy’s Eurovision body Radiotelevisione Italiana after winning the Sanremo Music Festival 2026. With Italy being one of the ‘Big Four’, his place in the final was guaranteed without having to take on a semi-final.
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Born in New York in 1969 during a tour of his father, Mario Da Vinci, a famous singer and actor, Sal has been in the industry for decades. When he was seven, he made his stage debut alongside leading figures in Italian cinema and theatre.
Turning his attention to music, he won the Canale 5 Italian Music Festival with the song Vera in 1994. The song’s success led to him starring in Opera Buffa del Giovedì Santo and in the musical C’era Una Volta.
Sal has wanted to take part in the Eurovision for many years, having placed third at Festival di Sanremo with his song Non Riesco A Farti Innamorare in 2009. Now he has his big moment.
(Image: Getty Images)
Despite being in his 50s, Sal released his most successful song to date, Rossetto e Caffè, in 2024. Reaching 450 million streams, it was certified double platinum and ended up being one of the most-streamed songs of the year.
Italy are heading into the event with a chance of lifting the glass microphone trophy, with their odds of winning 28/1 ahead of the show, according to bookies Ladbrokes.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final takes place on Saturday, May 16. It will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer with Graham Norton hosting and commentating for UK viewers. On BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, Sara Cox and Rylan will be leading the commentary. Coverage across the BBC will start at 8pm.
The lyrics in full for Per sempre si in Italian and English
È cominciato tutto quanto dal principio
Lo che per te ero solo un uomo sconosciuto
Poi diventato un re dal cuore innamorato
Tu una regina ora vestita in bianco sposa
Abbiamo sognato figli in una grande casa
E superato tutte le difficoltà
Perché un amore, non è amore per la vita
Se non ha affrontato la più ripida salita
E si accenderà la musica
E qui ti aspetterò
Il più grande giorno
Ti regalerò
Saremo io e te
Per sempre
Legati per la vita che
Senza te
Non vale niente
Non ha senso vivere
Con la mano sul petto
Io te lo prometto
Davanti a Dio
Saremo io e te
Da qui
Sarà per sempre si
So bene che è una grande incognita il futuro
Ma insieme te non mi spaventerà perché
Costruiremo tutto ma non alzeremo un muro
Litigare e far l’amore poi che male c’è
E si accenderà la musica
Per te io canterò
Il più grande giorno
Ti regalerò
Saremo io e te
Per sempre
Legati per la vita che
Senza te
Non vale niente
Non ha senso vivere
Con la mano sul petto
Io te lo prometto
Davanti a Dio
Saremo io e te
Da qui
Sarà per sempre
Si, soltanto si
Per questi giorni
E mille altri ancora
Un semplice si
L’eternità è dentro una parola
Saremo io e te
Per sempre
Legati per la vita che
Senza te
Non vale niente
Non ha senso vivere
Con la mano sul petto
Io te lo prometto
Davanti a Dio
Saremo io e te
Accussì
Sarrà pe’ semp sì
English translation
It all began right from the start
When I was just a stranger to you
Then I became a king with a loving heart
And you, a queen now dressed in white as a bride
We dreamed of children in a big house
And overcame every difficulty
Because a love is not a lifelong love
If it has never faced the steepest climb
And the music will start playing
And here I will wait for you
The greatest day
I will give to you
It will be you and me
Forever
Bound for life because
Without you
Life is worth nothing
There is no sense in living
With my hand upon my chest
I promise it to you
Before God
It will be you and me
From here on
It will be forever, yes
I know well the future is a great unknown
But together it won’t frighten me because
We will build everything without raising a wall
Arguing and making love — what’s wrong with that?
And the music will start playing
For you I will sing
The greatest day
I will give to you
It will be you and me
Forever
Bound for life because
Without you
Life is worth nothing
There is no sense in living
With my hand upon my chest
I promise it to you
Before God
It will be you and me
From here on
It will be forever
Yes, only yes
For these days
And a thousand more to come
A simple yes
Eternity is inside a single word
It will be you and me
Forever
Bound for life because
Without you
Life is worth nothing
There is no sense in living
With my hand upon my chest
I promise it to you
Before God
It will be you and me
Like this
It will be forever, yes