The show was presented by Pippo Baudo, who also served as the artistic director, with actresses Anna Falchi and Claudia Koll.
[1] The winner of the Big Artists section was Giorgia with the song "Come saprei", which also won the Critics Award.
The a cappella group Neri per Caso won the Newcomers section with the song "Le ragazze".
[1] On the opening night, shortly after the beginning of the show, a man, Pino Pagano, sat on the edge of the gallery of the theater and showed the intention to commit suicide jumping below, shouting "Pippo, io mi butto" (Italian for "Pippo, I'm jumping"): he was eventually stopped by Baudo himself amid the applause of the audience.
It was hosted by Serena Dandini with Luciano De Crescenzo, Fabio Fazio, Gianni Ippoliti and Pippo Baudo.