The players hold on.
The first notes of the brass rise in the sky of Rome.
Captain Giorgio Chiellini closes his eyes.
Italy finally returns to its Euro against Turkey this Friday, June 11.
And as in each of its international competitions, the Squadra Azzurra delivers an almost inhabited version of its anthem.
A passionate interpretation of the national song, which will once again launch the quarter-final of Roberto Mancini's troops against Belgium this Friday evening (9 p.m.).
In Rome, where Italy played its three group matches, the Euro 2012 finalists could count on the vocal support of their tifosi. Supporters, staff and players shouted at each other on “Fratelli d'Italia”, “Frères d'Italie” in French, a hymn composed in 1847, in the middle of the 19th century when La Botte united politically against a backdrop of war against Austria. At the heart of the text, references to Italy's ancient past, the acceptance of dying for one's country and the feeling of national unity. All carried by a lively music.
"Like
the Marseillaise
, it is a martial song, with parts typical of military music," underlines Matthieu Cailliez, specialist in 19th century European operas and teacher at the University of Grenoble Alpes.
But compared to our hymn, it is more cheerful and draws more towards Italian opera-bouffe.
At times, it comes close to what Verdi or Puccini may have composed.
There are some pretty complex parts, accept.
"
“We don't sing the anthem.
We live it ”
And who likes to sing together the notes of the song, also called "the Song of the Italians".
“It has always pleased me to sing my hymn with force.
I thus show my attachment and my tenderness to my country, ”explains Parisian Gianluigi Buffon after Euro 2012.
Four years later, defender Leonardo Bonucci proudly posts a photo of him and his partners tearing their vocal cords during the European Championship in France.
"Pure energy," writes the Juventus Turin player.
Because we Italians don't sing the hymn.
We live it.
Italy calls (
Editor's note: a reference to the words of the hymn
).
"
ENERGIA ALLO STATO PURO
Perché Noi Italiani non cantiamo l'Inno.
NOI LO VIVIAMO.
The Italia chiamò.
💪🏻🇮🇹😡 # EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/5BFFGZx2qh
- Leonardo Bonucci (@ bonucci_leo19) June 28, 2016
“It's really a strong moment, loose Simone, 37, Romain present in the first match against Turkey.
You feel the fervor rising, especially on the second part where the flow of the song accelerates.
You want to hug your neighbor tightly, and end up screaming as if we had scored a goal.
We don't all sing very well
(laughs)
, but it's something that unites us before the game.
"
In March 2020, confined like the rest of a country hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, coach Roberto Mancini links in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport the hymn to the return to normal life.
“The national anthem, and me listening to it standing in front of the sidelines… It will be a very strong emotion after what we are going through, loose the former striker.
I can't wait.
"
More than a year later, the announcement of his list of 26 for the Euro ended with the interpretation by the summoned players of “Fratelli d'Italia” on transalpine television. In Munich, they will still give voice before facing the Red Devils. Hoping that their singing tour will continue in London for the semi-final.