Laura Pausini is an Italian singer and songwriter. She rose to fame in 1993, winning the newcomer artists' section of the 43rd Sanremo Music Festival with her debut single "La solitudine", which became an Italian standard and an international hit. Her self-titled debut album was released in Italy on 23 April 1993 and later became an international success, selling two million copies worldwide. Its follow-up, Laura, was released in 1994 and confirmed her international success, selling three million copies worldwide.
Pausini performing in 2009
Pausini rose to fame in 1993, after winning the 43rd Sanremo Music Festival, annually held at the Teatro Ariston in Sanremo, Italy.
Pausini during the presentation of her album Resta in ascolto / Escucha in 2004
Pausini performing during the Festival Teatro-Canzone, in memory of Italian singer Giorgio Gaber, in July 2007
The Sanremo Music Festival, officially the Italian Song Festival is the most popular Italian song contest and awards ceremony, held annually in the city of Sanremo, Liguria. It is the longest-running annual TV music competition in the world on a national level and it is also the basis and inspiration for the annual Eurovision Song Contest.
Teatro Ariston in Sanremo during the final night of the festival in 2013
The Sanremo Casino hosted the Sanremo Music Festival between 1951 and 1976.
The Teatro Ariston has hosted the Sanremo Music Festival since 1977. The only exception was 1990's contest, hosted at Sanremo's Palafiori.
Nilla Pizzi was the winner of the first Sanremo Festival, in 1951.
