Olympics opening ceremony mascots, explained: What to know about Italian composers Verdi, Puccini and Rossini

The opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics was memorable, with Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, and a host of world-class athletes taking center stage on Friday night. They weren’t the only ones to make a splash, though. The proceedings also featured a trio of Italian greats who resurfaced after more than a century. Italian composers Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, and Gioachino Rossini rose to fame in the 1800s. Though the maestros are long gone, three mascots dressed in their likenesses drew cheers during Friday’s festivities....