Singer Barbara Pravi, representative of France, during her second rehearsal on stage at Ahoy Rotterdam (Netherlands), May 15, 2021. – EBU / ANDRES PUTTING
- One week before the final, Barbara Pravi, the representative of France, performed her second rehearsal this Saturday with her song here on the stage of the Ahoy Rotterdam (Netherlands).
- The singer remains, alongside the Italian group Maneskin, one of the favorites for the victory.
- “Barbara Pravi manages to create a connection with the audience through the screen. If I had to bet on someone for the win, I would bet on them, ”said Matt Fredricks of ESC United.
From our special correspondent in Rotterdam (Netherlands)
This Saturday, after their second rehearsal on the Ahoy Rotterdam stage, one week before the Eurovision Song Contest, the Italian group Maneskin and the French Barbara Pravi made a strong impression. So much so that they are now neck and neck among the
bookmakers’ favorites for the win. At the time of writing, Italy is now in the lead ahead of France.
Tricolor cat fearing cold water, we remember that in 2011 Amaury Vassily was number 1 in terms of predictions until the last moment and that he had finished fifteenth… A disappointment on which no one had time to think about it. weigh down because the same evening the DSK affair broke which would occupy all the media space.
More recently, in 2018, Madame Monsieur, had long been in the top three of the favorites and had to settle for a thirteenth place. The same goes for Amir in 2016, who still finished in the Top 10, in sixth position, a satisfaction in itself. What to moderate the excitement. Having said that, taking a tour of the Eurovision Song Contest did not help dampen our hopes of cocorico.
“The most applauded of all the first rehearsals”
“The problem with Amir and Madame Monsieur was the staging. Barbara Pravi offers a very different performance, ”says journalist William Lee Adams, creator of Wiwibloggs, one of the reference sites of the competition. ” She is very French, it corresponds to the idea that we have of France, to elegance, to respect for art. It was she who was the most applauded of all the first rehearsals, ”he notes.
“The first rehearsal approached perfection, the second went even further. The star rug was added and I think that was a good thing, adds William Lee Adams. The passage with the birds [des volatiles stylisés qui se détachent de sa silhouette projetée au sol] is magic. “
We relaunch by asking him if Gjon’s Tears, the Swiss candidate who also presents a touching song in French, could not put him in the wheels when it comes to collecting points … “With him, there are many things happening that can distract from emotion. Barbara’s performance is simpler, we focus on her face, we connect more easily to her because the staging is more refined “, he judges before giving his advice:” I would tell him to save money. his emotion for the final. There are the rehearsals, it is not necessary to be already so intense ”.
We try to get another story a few tables away from Matt Fredricks of the site ESC United. Actually here is one of his favorite songs from this edition. “Barbara Pravi manages to create a connection with the audience through the screen. If I had to bet on someone for the win, I would bet on them, ”he says.
“A perfect choice for Eurovision”
When asked if he does not think that Italy or Malta can be more unifying with the public, he replies in the negative. “France has more potential than these two countries to appeal to both professional juries and viewers. At worst, I imagine a scenario à la Duncan Laurence, which had won two years ago, by placing second on both sides. We then try to find out if a piece in French, stamped French song, is not divisive. “No, when a song is good, it transcends all niches”, retorts the American.
We then decide to go see an Italian colleague, who may have some sharp criticisms to make towards the transalpine competitors. It’s quite the opposite. ” I love so much here !, ensures
Enrico Picciolo. I followed the French selection and when I saw Barbara Pravi’s performance, I got goosebumps, I instantly said to myself that it was a perfect choice for Eurovision. It is touching. I like the intimate atmosphere. It’s a good idea to focus attention on her. “
But still, the Maneskins are serious contenders for victory with their modern scenography and the energy they pour onto the set, right? “They are beasts of the scenes, it is the first time that Italy has made such a proposal at Eurovision, but the rock of this group is very referenced in the 1970s.” It is opposed to him that here, is part of a tradition of French song going back beyond. “I do not believe that we should offer modernity at all costs in this competition. You need a good song, ”sweeps the colleague.
“Will people want to be transported to France? “
It is finally online that we will find a slightly discordant opinion on the chances of Barbara Pravi. Alesia Michelle is covering this edition from Washington, via the virtual press room made available to media who could not make the trip. The American followed all the rehearsals to analyze them on his Youtube channel. “Barbara Pravi is a very talented songwriter and songwriter with great creativity. She has a very good chance of winning, but something tells me it’s not in my pocket, she replies. Malta, Iceland – two countries that have never won Eurovision – as well as Italy are serious opponents and can claim a very good result in terms of public votes. It is very difficult to predict who will win this year due to the pandemic. People want to escape and will go for songs that will transport them. Will they want to be transported to France? “
During the press conference following the second rehearsal, Barbara Pravi assured that she did not feel too much pressure from her position at the bookmakers. “The only job I have to do is sing. After that, the rest is not in my hands, ”she slips. Professional juries and viewers will decide and it is still impossible to say for sure who they will award their points to. The final promises to be full of suspense.