Estonia Elina Rehearsal Eurovision 2018
EBU

After the rain, the sunshine. After the drama with paying for her projection dress, the payoff that proves it was worth it. Elina Nechayeva delivered what may be the most memorable performance of the day, stepping away from pop music to serve something authentic, classy and awe-inspiring. Her vocals never faltered, even as she took things higher, and this was visually arresting from start to finish.

The projection dress swallows the entire circular stage. And it becomes the canvas for manifold colours and patterns — from a stunning flowerscape to a whirpool of bright colours to abstract patterns that resemble art. The lights behind Elina play off of the patterns on the dress, resulting in something cohesive and wow.

Of all the performances today, this, along with Albania, seemed nearly flawless on first run-through. Subsequent takes were icing on the cake and further reason to celebrate.

Elina Nechayeva — “La Forza”: Reviews and Reactions

Estonia: First rehearsal at Eurovision 2018

Estonia: First press conference 2018

Read all of our Eurovision rehearsal reviews

Read all of our Estonia Eurovision news here

Photo & Footage: Courtesy of EBU & RTP

45 Comments
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Andi
Andi
5 years ago

I kinda see why Diana “left”. She seems like a jackass.

AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

Vocally flawless, Elina slays! Not many differences from the national final. Maybe the colors are prettier.

Mr Gold
Mr Gold
5 years ago

EBU, you killed Eurovision with this stage!!!

Kenna
Kenna
5 years ago

Still visuals over music, but as this will probably be the most WOW visuals, this is qualyfing for sure and has top 10 potential.

James
James
5 years ago

Aliona Moon of Moldova 2013 was not the first to utilize such a dress. If you think Elina is singing in Italian for “no apparent reason”, then you should also wonder why most other artists this year who are not Anglophones are singing their songs in English.

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
5 years ago

Yeah, I’ll admit the dress is super cool- but I still get get myself to like this song for the life of me…

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
5 years ago

*can’t get myself

EmmelieDarlineFrancescoFan
EmmelieDarlineFrancescoFan
5 years ago

This song has been a big grower on me – wasn’t keen on first but like it now. Would be very happy to see this win, and I think it’s got a strong shot. 🙂

CAT eurofan
CAT eurofan
5 years ago

This entry will be definitively be top 10, if not top 5! Good work Estonia! Best wishes from Catalonia

Jamala
Jamala
5 years ago

I’m amazed by this one. And the winner is…….. the dress. 😀

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago

Her singing popera in Italian is about the only thing right in this entry. I agree with rest , and I could add but I think it’s not the right time to do that.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
5 years ago

Yeah i’m pretty sure you stole that picture off the internet and you write nasty things under every article…

Ghhfy
Ghhfy
5 years ago

Well that was impressive.. – the dress and the voice

Alex
Alex
5 years ago

Totally agree, it’s so random.

Axel
Axel
5 years ago

Seems to me that you have big nagover today because you comment such things under each song. Or you have a climax ? 🙂

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

Well, they were ready already on Eesti Laul and they seem to had improved the projections, which is great. I imagine they kept the camera angles, so the only thing I was worried about was the lack of the led background to give it some depth. But based on the snippet, it seems Lisbon’s stage actually suits this act very well. I agree with William when he says that this is a “pay attention moment”. I’ve seen her performance a few times and it always grab my attention. And I don’t even the like the song, so I guess it… Read more »

Rimig
Rimig
5 years ago

Just like most of the others sing in English for NO reason, as it is not their language. What is wrong with singing in Italian?
And sure she will qualify! But you can keep on having fun pretending she is not…

eren
eren
5 years ago

People should stop comparing Elina’s performance with other “projection dress”‘ performances .This is not a static projection on a dress like Sabina Babayeva or Aliona Moon. This dress itself shouth power with its scale , its control and blending with whole stage . Also look at that continuous movement , amazing vocals together with amazing journey of colours. Thats what i call “la Forza ” ! Right now the biggest potential winner is Elina lets be honest. This opera is more embracing than il volo’s . Back in 2015 it was stunning but we all know it was just an… Read more »

Susan
Susan
5 years ago
Reply to  eren

Thank You for saying that people should stop comparing it other projection dresses. So many things are done at Eurovision stage already, so so what that they use projections. It helps to understand the song better and it just gives the wow moment, what I can’t say others who used projection dresses. SorryNotSorry. That said, I think I would never believe, that Opera performance can win ESC and this is so tough year, but yeah Estonia is giving 100% and for this I am happy and grateful 🙂

Ely
Ely
5 years ago
Reply to  Susan

See on kõige normaalsem kommentaar, mida ma siit lugenud olen!!

Vrede
Vrede
5 years ago

Never been a huge fan of this song, but the clip looks very promising.

Yeah, I know, Moldova ’13. But most people will have forgotten that.

there’s nothing like it in this semi. Or in the other semi. I’m finally starting to see why she’s so high in the odds…

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

No big surprises here. She got the dress and this is very similar to the national final performance.

Her vocals are great, the lightning is great, everyone will remember this at the end of the night, still… even if I love popera I don’t like this song and she won’t be receiving my vote in the final. I do think she deserves to qualify though.

Axel
Axel
5 years ago

Very beutiful women with good voice. Very good to listen after several jumping and screeming boys and girls. I can see it as potential winner ((but France, Australia are both good as well) 🙂

Hörnchen AT
Hörnchen AT
5 years ago

actually it was Romania xD
And it was a guy, singing like a soprano! And it was more Dracula style coz Romania I guess xD
This will go through cuz it stands out just as Israel and Czech Republic, but its kinda unfair that they allow Opera Singers..imagine if everyone would send sth like this with the idea that its going through cuz it stands out…Eurovision would go bankrupt after one edition…just saying

Alex
Alex
5 years ago

I don’t see people voting for this song. But cool presentation.

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago
Reply to  Alex

I cant see people NOT voting for this 🙂

pedro
pedro
5 years ago

I have to say that the main picture with the backdrop is stunning!

SERIOUS
SERIOUS
5 years ago

There are alotof good entried this year WOW i can’t even choose

Olivier2
Olivier2
5 years ago
Reply to  SERIOUS

My struggle as well. Semi 1 is especially hard

JB Picky
JB Picky
5 years ago

Good

Rada Spoto
Rada Spoto
5 years ago

It so many dresses trickes were on Eurovision,,,, it will not work again

jim
jim
5 years ago

meh

West
West
5 years ago

On one hand I understand that they want to impress and the dress gimmick is good when done right on the other hand I don’t think this is 65k well spent. Maybe it’s the fact that the stuff projected doesn’t impress me that much.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

Potential televoting winner.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

But I agree with Chris. There’s nothing going on besides the projections. She could carry the song without them, her voice is just enough.

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

. The televote winner would still probably be Israel. Anyway, this still could end in Top 5 in televotes, if the audience isn’t that divided on Opera because let’s be real “La Forza” is no “Grande Amore”.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Marcelo

But ESC 2018 isn’t ESC 2015 as well. The songs this year aren’t as strong as those in Vienna (imo).

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

True that. But still the Semi 1 is very strong, even compared to other contests. I believe the televote would probably go like this:

1. Israel
2. Bulgaria
3. Estonia
4. Czech Republic
5. Finland

Denis
Denis
5 years ago

It was as expected. I expect it to qualify but it is a borderline top 10 in the final.

Kyna
Kyna
5 years ago

I mean she already has my wig so I guess I have to give my scalp too.

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
5 years ago

Most of the performances are not that original as well
So what if Moldova did that in 2013?
Estonia is doing it now and it works perfectly

Roman
Roman
5 years ago

Azerbaijan did that before moldova …. and so what?

Radakiel
Radakiel
5 years ago

You’re 2,5 months late
Congratulations

Darren
Darren
5 years ago

Pretty much as I expected. It’s the original performance from the national final. But in saying that, it stands out and is different….atleast to what we have seen so far today. I do expect it to qualify. I don’t think it will break Top 10 in the final though. 11-15.

Radakiel
Radakiel
5 years ago

Apart from her looking like a crepe someone keeps adding food coloring to it’s not a surprise
Camera will do like 90% of staging