Modified anthem to be sung at military ceremonies in a return to Mameli's original text.Italy has modified the lyrics of its national anthem to remove an emphatic final "Sì!", following a presidential decree adopted at the suggestion of prime minister Giorgia Meloni.The tweak, reported by newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano and later confirmed by government sources, was published quietly in the official gazette in May but only came to light on Tuesday. In a document dated 2 December, the general staff of the military informed all armed forces that during institutional and military events where the anthem is performed in the sung version, the final patriotic cry must be omitted, state broadcaster RAI News reports. The order was sent to all commands, from the finance police to the army, and applies to performances at official military ceremonies, with instructions to ensure "scrupulous observance." Rome’s opera house staged a production of Puccini’s Tosca last night, 125 years after hosting the world premiere. Those present, including guest of honour President Mattarella, were treated to a stirring rendition of Italy’s national anthem before the show.pic.twitter.com/uZdsMbxzqv — Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) January 15, 2025 Until now the Canto degli Italiani, written by poet Goffredo Mameli and set to music by Michele Novaro in 1847, concluded with a rousing call to arms for Italy: "We are ready to die, We are ready to die, Italy has called! Yes!"In Mameli's autographed original manuscript of 1847, held at the Museo del Risorgimento in Turin, the final "Sì!" does not appear. However Novaro's original musical score, the one used to date, includes "Sì!": an addition justified by the composer with the intention of concluding with "a supreme cry, which is a pledge and a battle cry." A presidential office source on Tuesday said the modification was for "the sake of purity" rather than for any political reason, with the  "Sì!" omitted from the lyrics published on the Quirinale website. Photo credit: Fabio Mitidieri / Shutterstock.com.

Italy has modified the lyrics of its national anthem to remove an emphatic final "Sì!", following a presidential decree adopted at the suggestion of prime minister Giorgia Meloni. The tweak, reported by newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano and later confirmed by government sources, was published quietly in the official gazette in May but only came to light on Tuesday. In a document dated 2 December, the general staff of the military informed all armed forces that during institutional and military events where the anthem is performed in the sung version, the final patriotic cry must be omitted, state broadcaster RAI News reports. The order was sent to all commands, from the finance police to the army, and applies to performances at official military ceremonies, with instructions to ensure "scrupulous observance." Rome’s opera house staged a production of Puccini’s Tosca last night, 125 years after hosting the world premiere. Those present, including guest of honour President Mattarella, were treated to a stirring rendition of Italy’s national anthem before the show. — Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) Until now the Canto degli Italiani, written by poet Goffredo Mameli and set to music by Michele Novaro in 1847, concluded with a rousing call to arms for Italy: "We are ready to die, We are ready to die, Italy has called! Yes!"
In Mameli's autographed original manuscript of 1847, held at the Museo del Risorgimento in Turin, the final "Sì!" does not appear. However Novaro's original musical score, the one used to date, includes "Sì!": an addition justified by the composer with the intention of concluding with "a supreme cry, which is a pledge and a battle cry." A presidential office source on Tuesday said the modification was for "the sake of purity" rather than for any political reason, with the  "Sì!" omitted from the lyrics published on . Photo credit: Fabio Mitidieri / Shutterstock.com.