2006 Winter Olympics opening ceremony

none February 2021 May 2020 The opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics (Torino 2006) was held on 10 February 2006 beginning at 20:00 CET (UTC+1) at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin, Italy. 2006 Winter Olympicsopening ceremony 2006 Olympics Opening Ceremony.jpg 2006 Winter Olympics Fireworks illuminated the Olympic rings during the 2006 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony 10 February 2006 20:00 - 0:00 CET(UTC+1) Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino Turin, Italy 45 2 30.30 N 7 39 0.05 E region:ITA_type:landmark inline,title Passion Lives Here Torino Olympic Broadcasting Organisation (TOBO) 4SgI_-UKM9c Torino 2006 Opening Ceremony - Full length The ceremony was attended by 35,000 spectators with the presence of numerous international and Italian guests on the stage and heads of state and government on the stands. The event was broadcast live to an estimated two-billion audience worldwide by 32 television cameras. The ceremony saluted the region's culture and history, was highlighted by Italian celebrities and showcased Italian designs. There were the customary parade of athletes and raising of the host nation's flag and the Olympic flag. Apart from the choreography, the fireworks, and the pageantry, the ceremony was a reminder of peace as a goal of these Games. It climaxed with the lighting of the Olympic Flame. Program The theme of the program was "Passion Lives Here," and the 4000m2 stage was shaped like an anatomic heart with a mosh pit in the centre where the athletes congregated for the second half of the ceremonies. The athletes were thus put in the centre of action and in front of the stage, emphasizing that the heart of each athlete was the focus of the Games. There were sentiments of self-conceit amongst TOROC for not including a tribute section during the opening ceremonies honoring the past host cities of the previous installments of the Olympic Winter Games that was the very first part of the XIX Olympic Winter Games that had been held in Salt Lake City, US, on 8 February 2002. The ceremony was conducted in French and English, the two official languages of the International Olympic Committee, and Italian, the language of the host country. The program was executed by 6,100 volunteers and 240 professionals after 15,000 man days of work. Rhythm of Passion Sparks of Passion Artistic, 1m countdown plus 4m 20s 776 performers Direction: Gabriele Vacis Assistant direction: Roberto Tarasco Choreography: Giuseppe Arena Moshpit choreography: Doug Jack Pyrotechnical effects: Christophe Berthonneau Segment coordinator: Annalisa Barbieri Helmet-donning skaters costume design: Lino Dainese Sparks special effects: Vittorio Comi Helmet-donning skaters choreography: Giuseppe Arena Helmet-donning skaters: Fabio Cassinelli, Simone Giaccaglia, Luca Imperio, Elia Locagliano, Simone Martino, Daniele Pin Original Music: Composed arranged and orchestrated by Michele Centonze in collaboration with Stefano Nanni The opening ceremonies began with a traditional countdown by the spectators. Italian gymnast Jury Chechi as a shaman striking an anvil with a hammer opened the first scene of the program representing the industrial past of the Piedmont region. Each strike spewed up a fountain of flames and were responded to with flames over three metres high, lit from 52 nozzles lined up around the piazza. A group of inline skaters in red unitards soon entered and executed their choreograph and formations. With the fire, costume and flood light, the stage was soon turned into a sea of red. In the mosh pit, performers executed synchronised swimming moves to the pulsing rhythm. It was saidJune 2012 that the choreographer was inspired by synchronised swimming when he saw the event for the first time during the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. The skaters then gyrated to the pulsing rhythm forming a familiar heart shape pumping to the beat. The formation was soon shattered when a lone skater symbolising a spark of passion shot through the beating heart. Six helmet-donning skaters then entered with two-foot flames flared from the back of their helmets and crisscrossed the stage. Greetings from the Alps Mountain Folk Artistic, 4m 30s 829 performers Direction: Gabriele Vacis Moshpit choreography: Doug Jack Segment coordinator: Annalisa Barbieri Music: Occitane Anthem "Se Chanta" performed by L'Ange Gardien Chorus; Ouverture "Gazza Ladra" by Rossini, arranged and orchestrated by Michele Centonze in collaboration with Stefano Nanni Following the exit of the flaming skaters, the sounding of seven alphorns to the notes of the Occitan Hymn signaled the beginning of the next segment that paid tribute to the Alps and the seven Alpine countries: Italy, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany and Slovenia. Artificial snow and life-size pine tree shapes set the mood for this segment as the stage was transformed from red to white. It had been 14 years since the Winter Olympic Games were last held in the Alps, in 1992 in Albertville, France. The 13 million people living in the mountainous region were represented by dancers waltzing in their national costumes. Life-size cow effigies were pulled in and paraded around the stage representing the significance of the dairy farming industry in the Alpine region. Three waltzing couples in cow suits soon entered the scene, while cow bells were heard ringing from the crowd. After the stage was cleared, 50 performers in white unitards entered with very large white balloons on their heads symbolising the arrival of the snowflakes. A change of music signalled the exit of the snowflakes and in the mosh pit performers formed a snowflake which was lit up by flashlights as the segment came to a close. Italy Italian flag Entry of the authorities Italian anthem Direction: Gabriele Vacis Artistic direction and costume design: Giorgio Armani Protocol coordinator: Sigrid Guillion Mangilli Protocol segment coordinator: Pamela Allvin Segment coordinator: Annalisi Barbieri Coordinator: CONI - Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano Carabineers' Guard of Honour Music: "Amarcord", by Nino Rota; Italian Anthem, composed by Goffredo Mameli and Michele Novaro, arranged by Michele Centonze This section paid tribute to the Italian flag, whose entrance was led by 26 Olympic medalists in white suits and gowns marching in two files. Following the athletes was model, singer and future French first lady Carla Bruni carrying a folded Italian flag. Bruni wore a sparkling gown by Giorgio Armani, inspired by crystal and ice. The stage was flooded in the Italian colours red, white, and green by the coloured spotlights at the top of the stadium as the entrance of the president of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge and the president of Italy Carlo Azeglio Ciampi was announced. Sustained drumbeats set a mood as three Carabinieri officers entered and retrieved the flag from Bruni and brought it to the flag pole. The flag was raised to the solo rendition of the Italian national anthem after a short pastoral orchestra introduction (as opposed to the usual marching introduction). "Il Canto degli Italiani" was performed by nine-year-old Eleonora Benetti wearing the Italian tricolour. Her verse ended as the choir, conducted by Roberto Bertaina, joined in for the much more rapid refrain. Torino Olympic City XX Olympic Winter Games The Great Skier Artistic, 6m 10s 467 performers Direction & Choreography Concept: Doug Jack Choreography: Bryn Walters, Nikis Lagousakos, Claire Terri Segment coordinator: Annalisa Barbieri Original music: composed arranged and orchestrated by Michele Centonze in collaboration with Stefano Nanni 467 performers, each wearing one of the 5 Olympic colours, created a 20 m ft mid -tall us ski jumper formation, after the playing of the Italian national anthem. The choreography showed an animated ski jumper gliding down the take-off slope, flying through the night air and eventually landing safely in perfect form on the ground. Puffs of air could be seen as the jumper prepared his jump. Performers carrying a blue banner then entered to show the skier gliding down the slope. In flight the figure was lit up by headlamp flashlights in a formation of a ski jumper in peak flight. The ski jumper eventually made a graceful landing on the ground as performers released confetti (to represent a snowplow stop) and cheered as the segment came to a close. Olympic Spirit Citius, altius, fortius Artistic, 6m 10s 149 performers Direction and choreography: Giulia Staccioli (Kataklò) Technical director: Richard Hartman Production director: Simone Masserini Segment coordinator: Vichi Lombardo Kataklò technical Coordinator: Andrea Zorzi Ground choreography: Bryn Walters Performer athletes: Maria Agatiello, Davide Agostini, Sara Bonarti, Ilaria Cinzia Cavagna, Mauro Maurizio Colucci, Valentina Marino, Giulia Piolanti, Stefano Pribaz, Davide Rabaioli, Marco Zanotti, Gabriele Zappa Original music: composed, arranged and orchestrated by Michele Centonze, in collaboration with Stefano Nanni The Sparks of Passion reentered the stadium in this segment where the largest and tallest Olympic Rings for the opening ceremonies would be created. Acrobats could be seen maneuvering on three ring shaped frames floating up and down along four lattice columns on the opposite end of the stadium to the stage and the mosh pit. Dancers in red unitards below gyrated to pulsing beats as the theme of passion returned for this segment of the program. While the acrobats descended to the ground, two additional ring shaped frames were raised. The five circular frames were flipped vertically revealing the five Olympic Rings shimmering in light. The rings were then illuminated in the Olympic colours and the structure was lit up in fireworks. The black ring in the centre of the symbol was substituted with white since it is impossible to produce black light. Heroes of Our Time - Parade of Nations Protocol, 53m Director & Choreography: Doug Jack Placard bearers' costumes: Moschino (Rossella Jardini, Joan Tann) Music: Medley of disco music The national teams then entered underneath the five-ring structure in the traditional Parade of Nations. As with all Olympic games, the first team to emerge was Greece, since it was the birthplace of the games, and the host nation Italy entered last. The rest of the nations entered following the alphabetical order according to the spelling of the country in Italian, the language of the host country, as is tradition. The names of the nations were announced first in Italian, then in English and followed by French. North Korea and South Korea marched together under the Unification Flag for the first time in the Winter Olympic Games; this would not happen again (either Summer or Winter) until the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. Altogether, 80 National Olympic Committees participated in the Games, an increase from 77 in the previous Winter Games. The Moschino designed the clothes of the women bearing the placards with team names in Italian for the athletes' parade. The dresses were shaped as snowy mountain tops, complete with pine trees and small houses lit up by embedded lights. Miss Italia 2005, Edelfa Chiara Masciotta, was carrying the placard for team Italy who wore a special dress designed to pay tribute to Turin. When assembled on stage the ladies represented the Italian Alps' beauty, strength, and poise. The march of the Olympic teams was accompanied by a selection of 1970s and 1980s American and European disco music, including "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles, "Y.M.C.A." by the Village People, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, "Daddy Cool" by Boney M, and songs by the Doobie Brothers and Eurythmics, among others. The following table lists the countries and territories in the order of their entrance. It is worth noting that not all the athletes participated in the opening ceremonies, as some may have chosen to prepare themselves for the first events that were scheduled the very next morning. Other National Olympic Committees may have prevented some athletes from participating in the parade. For example, most men's ice hockey teams would not arrive in Turin until the following week since most of the players are involved with the NHL. On the other hand, the parade included officials, judges, coaches and other team staff. NationItalian NameFlag bearerSportAthletesGRE 2006 WinterGreciaEleftherios FafalisCross-country skiing5ALB 2006 WinterfirstAlbaniaErjon TolaAlpine skiing1ALG 2006 WinterAlgeriaChristelle Laura DouibiAlpine skiing2AND 2006 WinterAndorraAlex AntorAlpine skiing3ARG 2006 WinterArgentinaMaría Belén Simari BirknerAlpine skiing9ARM 2006 WinterArmeniaVazgen AzroyanFigure skating5AUS 2006 WinterAustraliaAlisa CamplinFreestyle skiing40AUT 2006 WinterAustriaRenate GötschlAlpine skiing73AZE 2006 WinterAzerbaigianMikhail Rakimovhttps://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/countries/AZE/ https://web.archive.org/web/20200417093729/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/countries/AZE/ dead 17 April 2020 Azerbaijan sports-reference.com Sports Reference LLC 11 October 20222BEL 2006 WinterBelgioKevin van der PerrenFigure skating4BER 2006 WinterBermudaPatrick SingletonSkeleton1BLR 2006 WinterBielorussiaAlexandr PopovCoach (Biathlon)28BIH 2006 WinterBosnia ErzegovinaAleksandra VasiljevićBiathlon6BRA 2006 WinterBrasileIsabel ClarkSnowboarding9BUL 2006 WinterBulgariaEkaterina DafovskaBiathlon21CAN 2006 WinterCanadaDanielle GoyetteIce hockey191CZE 2006 WinterRepubblica CecaMartina SáblíkováSpeed skating83CHI 2006 WinterCileDaniela AnguitaAlpine skiing9CHN 2006 Winter Olympics People's Republic of ChinaCinaYang Yang (A)flag Short track speed skating73CYP 2006 WinterCiproTheodoros ChristodoulouAlpine skiing122px North Korea CoreaHan Jong-InFigure skating622px South KoreaLee Bo-raSpeed skating40CRC 2006 WinterCosta RicaArthur James BartonCoach1CRO 2006 WinterCroaziaJanica KostelićAlpine skiing23DEN 2006 WinterDanimarcaDorthe HolmCurling4EST 2006 WinterEstoniaEveli SaueBiathlon26 ETH 2006 WinterfirstEtiopiaRobel TeklemariamCross-country skiing1MKD 2006 Winter Olympics Former Yugoslav Republic of MacedoniaEx Repubblica Jugoslava di MacedoniaGjorgi MarkovskiAlpine skiing3FIN 2006 WinterFinlandiaJanne LahtelaFreestyle skiing90FRA 2006 WinterFranciaBruno MingeonBobsleigh82GEO 2006 WinterGeorgiaVakhtang MurvanidzeFigure skating3GER 2006 WinterGermaniaKati WilhelmBiathlon155JPN 2006 WinterGiapponeJoji KatoSpeed skating110GBR 2006 WinterGran BretagnaRhona MartinCurling39HKG 2006 Winter Olympics Hong Kong, ChinaHong Kong, CinaYueshuang HanShort track speed skating1IND 2006 WinterIndiaNeha AhujaAlpine skiing4IRI 2006 Winter Olympics Islamic Republic of IranIranAlidad Saveh-ShemshakiAlpine skiing2IRL 2006 WinterIrlandaKirsten McGarryAlpine skiing4ISL 2006 WinterIslandaDagny KristjansdottirAlpine skiing5ISV 2006 WinterIsole VerginiAnne Abernathyhttp://www.torino2006.it/ENG/IDF/ATH/603140.html Torino 2006 - Athlete details 9 February 2014 https://archive.today/20140209214319/http://www.torino2006.it/ENG/IDF/ATH/603140.html 9 February 2014 dead Luge1ISR 2006 WinterIsraeleGalit ChaitFigure skating5KAZ 2006 WinterKazakistanAleksandr KoreshkovIce hockey55KEN 2006 WinterKenyaPhillip BoitCross-country skiing1KGZ 2006 WinterKirghizistanIvan BorisovAlpine skiing1LAT 2006 WinterLettoniaArturs IrbeIce hockey57LIB 2006 WinterLibanoEdmond Keiroue3LIE 2006 WinterLiechtensteinJessica WalterAlpine skiing5LTU 2006 WinterLituaniaVida VencieneChef de mission7LUX 2006 WinterLussemburgoFleur MaxwellFigure skating1MAD 2006 WinterfirstMadagascarMathieu RazanakolonacitizenAlpine skiing1MDA 2006 Winter Olympics Republic of MoldovaMoldovaNatalia LevtchenkovaBiathlon6MON 2006 WinterMonacoPatrice ServelleBobsleigh4MGL 2006 WinterMongoliaKhash Erdene KhurelbaatarCross-country skiing2NEP 2006 WinterNepalDachhiri SherpaCross-country skiing1NOR 2006 WinterNorvegiaPål TrulsenCurling67NZL 2006 WinterNuova ZelandaSean BeckerCurling15NED 2006 WinterPaesi BassiJan BosSpeed skating33POL 2006 WinterPoloniaPaulina Ligocka sickSnowboarding45POR 2006 WinterPortogalloDanny SilvaCross-country skiing1ROU 2006 WinterRomaniaGheorghe ChiperFigure skating25RUS 2006 Winter Olympics Russian FederationRussiaDmitry DorofeevSpeed skating174SMR 2006 WinterSan MarinoMarino CardelliAlpine skiing1SEN 2006 WinterSenegalLeyti SeckAlpine skiing1SCG 2006 WinterSerbia e MontenegroJelena LolovićAlpine skiing6SVK 2006 WinterSlovacchiaWalter MarxLuge58SLO 2006 WinterSloveniaTadeja BrankovičBiathlon36ESP 2006 WinterSpagnaMaria Jose RiendaAlpine skiing16USA 2006 Winter Olympics United States of AmericaStati Uniti d'AmericaChris Witty Speed skating204RSA 2006 WinterSud AfricaAlexander HeathAlpine skiing3SWE 2006 WinterSveziaAnja PärsonAlpine skiing106SUI 2006 WinterSvizzeraPhilipp SchochSnowboarding125TJK 2006 WinterTagikistanAndrei DryginAlpine skiing1TPE 2006 WinterTaipei CineseChih-Hung MaLuge1THA 2006 WinterThailandiaPrawat NagvajaraCross-country skiing1TUR 2006 WinterTurchiaTuğba KarademircitizenAugust 2007Figure skating6UKR 2006 WinterUcrainaNatalia YakushenkoLuge52HUN 2006 WinterUngheriaRozsa DarazsShort track speed skating19UZB 2006 WinterUzbekistanKayrat ErmetovAlpine skiing4VEN 2006 WinterVenezuelaWerner HoegerLuge1ITA 2006 WinterItaliaCarolina KostnerFigure skating179 first The 2006 games were the first winter games in which these countries have participated. flag Yang Yang (A) was China's first female flag bearer for the Olympics. citizen These flag bearers are also citizens of Canada. sick This young snowboarder replaced her older colleague Jagna Marczulajtis who was sick. From Renaissance to Baroque Artistic, 16m 515 performers Direction and choreography: Monica Maimone Artistic direction: Valerio Festi Costumes: Gabriella Pescucci Segment coordinator: Nicola Tamburrano Producer: Alessandra Rossetti Set design: Roberto Rebaudengo Drammaturgy: Paolo Dalla Sega Flag wavers' coordinator: Stefano Mosele Flag wavers and musicians: F.I.SB. – Federazione Italiana Sbandieratori Original music: composed, arranged and orchestrated by Michele Centonze, in collaboration with Stefano Nanni After a short homage to Dante and the Divine Comedy, there were Renaissance and Baroque displays, with an homage to Arcimboldo. One scene was based on the Botticelli painting The Birth of Venus. The role of Venus was played by Czech supermodel Eva Herzigová, emerging from a shell like in the painting. Dance played a major part in the ceremony, as well as displays of flag waving and baroque bands. Sportscaster Bob Costas called it a celebration of the emergence from the dark days of the Middle Ages, embracing the intellectual pursuits of art, literature and music. From Futurism to Future Artistic, 9m 30s 205 performers and 24 bambolari Direction: Enzo Cosimi Futurist hero: Roberto Bolle Costumes and props: Daniela Dal Cin Segment coordinator: Nicola Tamburrano Set machine realization: Raoul Rossigni Music: composed and arranged by Ritchie Hawtin ("Substance Abuse" from the F.U.S.E. disc Dimension Intrusion) The segment started with a modern ballet performance which led from a replica of Umberto Boccioni's sculpture "Unique Forms of Continuity in Space" to a celebration of Futurism. Roberto Bolle performed as lead in the dance part.28 November 2005 The Olympic Ceremonies Preview Torino 2006 official web site http://www.torino2006.org/ENG/OlympicGames/news/news_ita150170.html https://archive.today/20070812063727/http://www.torino2006.org/ENG/OlympicGames/news/news_ita150170.html dead 12 August 2007 12 February 2006 He represented the futuristic hero, dancing with other mechanical dancers to show modernity, technology, and speed. The second part was performed by kung-fu athletes representing futuristic soldiers, while in the final section a group of bodybuilders pushed 6 motorbikes in the center of the stadium, thus emphasizing the role played by speed and technology in Futurism. Pit Stop Artistic, about 4m Driver: Luca Badoer Note: this segment was kept secret before the Ceremony and is not reported in the official programme Italian driver Luca Badoer drove the 2005 Ferrari F2005 car bearing only the Olympic Rings, Torino 2006 name and Italian tricolore to the centre of the stadium, performing 'donuts' and revving the V10 engine for a few minutes. Words and Symbols Address by the President of the Organising Committee Address by the President of the International Olympic Committee President of the Italian Republic: Opening of the Games Olympic Anthem Entry of the Olympic Flag Olympic Oath Protocol, 20m 264 performers Choreography: Doug Jack Olympic flag coordinator: Nicoletta Mantovani Protocolcoordinator: Sigrid Guillion Mangilli Protocol segment Coordinator: Pamela Allvin After the Parade of Nations had concluded and the athletes were gathered in the center of the stadium, two short speeches in Italian, French and English were delivered. The first speech came from Valentino Castellani, the chief organizer of the Torino 2006 Olympic Games. He declared the industrial city "the world capital of sports" during the Olympics. Valentino Castellani was followed by International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, who told the Olympic athletes, "Your achievements will inspire and motivate future generations," before adding, "Please compete cleanly, without using doping." Rogge also hoped for peace during his short speech. "Our world today is in need of peace and brotherhood, the values of the Olympic Games," he said. "May these Games be held in peace in the true spirit of the Olympic Truce." Rogge then introduced Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, who declared the games officially open. Following the trend set from the selection of eight personalities representing the five continents and the three pillars of Olympism at the Salt Lake City Olympics Opening Ceremony, the flag was brought this time into the stadium by eight women:10 February 2006 Turin 2006 Games – The Opening Ceremony GamesBids http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=1&id=1139612633 12 February 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20060222194734/http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=1&id=1139612633 22 February 2006 live Sophia Loren, Italian born actress who was the patroness of the Ceremonies; Isabel Allende, Chilean novelist; Nawal El Moutawakel, member of the IOC from Morocco, the first Muslim woman to win an Olympic gold medal; Susan Sarandon, American actress and activist; Wangari Maathai, Nobel laureate and the founder of the Kenyan Green Belt Movement; Manuela Di Centa, Italian seven-time Nordic skiing gold medalist; She would later bestow the 50 km (Cross Country) Freestyle Gold Medal to her brother Giorgio Di Centa during the closing ceremony. Maria de Lurdes Mutola, gold medalist from Mozambique; Somaly Mam, Cambodian human rights activist. Their walk with the flag was accompanied by Giuseppe Verdi's "Triumphant March," from Aida. The Olympic flag was then handed over to eight members of the Alpini, an Italian infantry unit, who raised the flag while the Olympic Hymn was played. Italian skier Giorgio Rocca recited the Olympic Oath on behalf of all the athletes from the podium followed by Fabio Bianchetti from the International Skating Union reading the oath on behalf of all judges. There had been a major judging controversy in the figure skating event at the previous Winter Games. Peace The Dove A Song of Peace Protocol, 6m 40 performers Direction and choreography: Ivan Manzoni Segment coordinator: Vichi Lombardo Original music: composed, arranged and orchestrated by Michele Centonze, in collaboration with Stefano Nanni Twenty-eight acrobats climbed on a net set up on the main stage and executed their choreographed manoeuvres, spinning and flipping to the music. At the end of the routine they all came together and formed the shape of a dove, the symbol of peace, to a roaring cheer from the crowd. Yoko Ono, dressed in white like many of the people in the ceremony (the spectators were provided with, and most wore, a white poncho, symbolizing the snow which makes the Winter Olympics possible), then entered and read a free verse poem from a prepared script calling for peace in the world. She called for "taking action" to spread peace. Ono's poem served as an introduction to a rendition of her late husband John Lennon's Imagine by Peter Gabriel. Light the Passion Arrival of the Flame Lighting of the Cauldron The Olympic System Protocol, 6m 20s Choreography: Doug Jack Cauldron and torch design: Pininfarina Original music: "Olimpia", composed, arranged and orchestrated by Michele Centonze The Olympic Torch entered the stadium in the hand of alpine ski racer Alberto Tomba, who then passed the flame to the hands of the 1994 men's Italian cross-country skiing relay team (Marco Albarello, Giorgio Vanzetta, Maurilio De Zolt, and Silvio Fauner). The flame was then passed to Piero Gros, then Deborah Compagnoni before the Olympic Flame was lit by former Italian cross-country skier Stefania Belmondo. Belmondo paused to show the torch to the cheering crowd one last time before placing it on the arched lighting apparatus. The flame initiated a series of fireworks before lighting the top of the 57-meter high Olympic Flame, the highest in the history of the Olympic Games until that date.http://mediacenter.corriere.it/MediaCenter/action/player?uuid=20d2ef64-9a88-11da-a3c1-0003ba99c667&pagina=8&filtro=video&menu=main2&idCanale=Sport&idCanaleADV=Sport https://web.archive.org/web/20070314235136/http://mediacenter.corriere.it/MediaCenter/action/player?uuid=20d2ef64-9a88-11da-a3c1-0003ba99c667&pagina=8&filtro=video&menu=main2&idCanale=Sport&idCanaleADV=Sport 14 March 2007 Corriere della Sera - Ultime Notizie Fortissimo thumb|right|350px|Luciano Pavarotti singing Nessun dorma, on his last public performance before his death Allegro with Fire Artistic, 7min Direction: Marco Balich Chandelier design: Jacopo Foggini Pyrotechnical effects: Christophe Berthonneau Segment coordinator: Vichi Lombardo After the largest curtain yet to be built revealed him on the stage, Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti, wearing a black cape embroidered with silver Olympic rings, ended the ceremony by singing Giacomo Puccini's well-known aria Nessun Dorma from the opera Turandot, which ends with the victorious line "At dawn, I shall win!" Pavarotti's performance caused NBC Olympic commentator Brian Williams to proclaim "And the master brings the house down." The tenor's performance received the longest and loudest ovation of the opening ceremony from the international crowd. This would prove to be Pavarotti's final public performance of his signature aria. After the curtains closed on Pavarotti, the ceremony properly ended with a fireworks display. Security measures Security was present at the opening ceremony as has become the norm for the Olympics. Organizers stepped up the security measures in connection with the contemporary Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy and they insisted that the Olympic Games would be safe.Swifter, Higher, Stronger, Safer?; As Winter Games Open, Italian Officials Take Extra Precautions The Washington Post 10 February 2006 Daniel Williams A1 Dignitaries and other officials in attendance Aside from celebrities participating in the ceremonies, IOC President Jacques Rogge, members of the IOC, and many dignitaries and officials associated with the Olympic movement were in attendance (including 13 world leaders and two first ladies). They included: UN Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations EU José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission UK Cherie Blair, wife of then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair USA Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States, and her daughter Barbara Greece Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, president of the Athens Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games Turkey Besir Atalay, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey Norway Harald V, King of Norway and Queen Sonja Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden Denmark Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark (representing the Queen of Denmark) Monaco Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco Luxembourg Henri, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg Germany Horst Köhler, Federal President of Germany France 1974 Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Prime Minister of France Poland Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz, Prime Minister of Poland Italy Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, President of Italy Netherlands Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange, Crown Prince of the Netherlands (representing the Queen of the Netherlands) Spain Juan Carlos I, King of Spain USA Massachusetts Mitt Romney, President of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games of 2002 and Governor of Massachusetts Finland Tarja Halonen, President of Finland and Premier Matti Vanhanen Slovakia Ivan Gasparovic, President of Slovakia Rwanda Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda Liechtenstein Otmar Hasler, Prime Minister of Liechtenstein Canada Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada British Columbia Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia, host Canadian province of the 2010 Winter Olympics Rita Levi-Montalcini, Nobel Prize winning physiologist and Italian senator-for-life Luca di Montezemolo, president and CEO of Ferrari and chairman of FIAT Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was absent. However, he attended the closing ceremony on 26 February. See also 2006 Winter Olympics closing ceremony References 2006 Olympic Winter Games open in Italy External links Turin 2006 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony Media Guide (as found on the Olympic Library) Olympics Italy Ceremony Opening Category:Olympics opening ceremonies Category:Ceremonies in Italy