Eurovision final gets under way
Posted by moderncanvasart on May 16, 2009
The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in Moscow, with 25 countries aiming for glory.
The UK will be represented by Jade Ewen, who is singing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s song It’s My Time.
Norway’s singer and violinist Alexander Rybak is the bookmakers’ favourite to win, closely followed by Greece, Turkey, Azerbaijan and the UK.
Graham Norton is making his debut as commentator for the BBC, replacing Sir Terry Wogan, who bowed out last year.
Speaking in the Russian capital, Norton revealed that he had spoken to his predecessor, who commentated on every Eurovision final from 1980.
“Terry rang me to wish me good luck,” said the TV presenter. “He advised me to resist having a drink until the fifth song,” he added.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, who will play the piano for Ewen during her performance, said: “I really do believe that Jade is one of the greatest talents I have had the privilege of working with.”
He has downplayed the UK’s chances of winning, but bookmakers and song contest pundits are confident that the country’s last place in 2008 will not be repeated.
The UK will be among five countries who pre-qualified for the final and whose acts have not yet been seen.
France – represented by renowned singer Patricia Kaas, Spain and host nation Russia are among them.
Germany’s entry features US cabaret artist Dita Von Teese, who used to be married to rock star Marilyn Manson.
Other countries faring well in the odds include Malta, whose representative Chiara has competed in two previous occasions.
For the first time, voting in the final will be split between televoting and panels of musical experts, which is thought may reduce the incidence of predictable and neighbourly votes.
The panels, which made their decisions based on Friday’s dress rehearsal, were expected to look for song quality and musical performance over dance routines and props.
Coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK begins at 2000 BST on BBC One.
