Who would have ever thought that a Maltese participant would not only take part in the popular Italian TV show La Corrida, but actually win it? Miriam Galea speaks to Lucienne Cassar about her incredible experience.
All the Maltese people who on Easter eve had their TV sets switched on to Canale 5 surely never expected to see Lucienne Cassar from Birzebbuga walk onstage during the famous Italian variety show La Corrida. Giving a brilliant performance of the well-known Neapolitan song Funicolì, Funicolà, Lucienne won the heart of the Italians and became the first Maltese to ever win the popular TV show.
Lucienne, 41, works in the Veterinary Affairs and Fisheries Division at the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment, and is an avid fan of the weekly TV programme, in which amateur artists of all ages exhibit their talent and are then judged by the audience inside the theatre as well as by the people at home. The show is a humorous mix of hilariously hopeless wannabes at which the audience boos and whistles and genuinely talented contestants who excel at the hobby they love. “La Corrida was always my favourite TV programme and I’ve always dreamt of participating,” Lucienne tells me, “I chose to sing Funicolì, Funicolà because it is very famous in Italy.”
Lucienne’s delivery of the song wooed the Italian audience inside the theatre, who applauded heartily at the end of her rendition, as well as got the highest vote from the people at home through the televoting system. Lucienne was radiant onstage, going along with much-loved Italian presenter Gerry Scotti and wishing a Happy Easter in Maltese. When Gerry Scotti queried about her love for horses, Lucienne, who is on the plump side, punned jokingly: “People like us, Gerry, do not go riding horses.” Lucienne still believes that her success was not only due to her good voice and performance, but also to her good-naturedness.
It was via a simple e-mail that, in January 2006 Lucienne applied to participate in the show. After being informed that she was being considered for the 2007 edition of the programme, it was only last November that she received a letter asking her to go for the audition. Auditions for La Corrida are held all over Italy and see no less than 2500 hopefuls a year, some of whom keep on trying their luck year after year. Lucienne was first scheduled to audition in Palermo but, as there were no direct flights, ended up going to Florence instead. Just 10 days before her debut on 7 April, Lucienne was informed that she was to travel to Rome to perform in the show.
“It was a unique experience which I shall never forget,” Lucienne says, explaining how all the participants were made to feel like stars for that night, “As time was pressing backstage, I felt more tense but all the participants where encouraging each other.” How did she feel singing on a show that is aired live on one of Italy’s main TV stations, and in the presence of famous TV personality Gerry Scotti? “I don’t even know how to express the actual feeling, but I can assure you that Gerry makes you feel special and at home,” she says, beaming.
“I also learnt that one should never stop hoping, as I thought it practically impossible for me to even come close to winning in the televoting,” she adds, “since the other participants were home while I was playing away!”
Lucienne used to take singing lessons when she was younger but then stopped for 15 long years. This January she started taking lessons again hoping to continue where she had left off so many years before.
Now that she won last Saturday’s contest, Lucienne is to participate in the show’s final edition, in which the winners of all the shows compete against each other. Let us all wish Lucienne the best of luck with charming the Italian audience, and making Malta proud, once more!