Today the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — touched down in Italy, where we visited ancient Roman baths, gorged on lasagna and shopped at a massive Dolce & Gabbana store. Squeaky clean, stuffed and kitted out in overpriced clothes, we stopped to review Il Volo and their track “Grande Amore”. Are we loving Italian opera or are we just waiting for the fat lady to sing so it can all be over? Read on to find out…
Italy’s Eurovision 2015 song
Reviews: Il Volo with “Grande Amore”
Angus: Italy is a nation with rich history and you would expect them to learn from it too. Judging by the selection of Il Volo, though, it looks like Italy needs schooling. So here’s a li’l history lesson: In 2011 everyone thought a Big 5 country was going to cruise to victory with popera. France bombed on the night and Italy will too. “Grande Amore” lacks progression and, like “Sognu” before it, presumes that just the fact of being in opera is enough to make the song remarkable. It is lazy, uninspired and will fall flat in Vienna.
Score: 4.5/10
Liam: I’m in the minority here but I honestly do not like this song. It’s just not Eurovision. Boring! Ima be in the toilet when this is on.
Score: 3/10
Bogdan: I adore this song. It would be a perfect winner for the 60th anniversary of Eurovision, thanks to its timeless quality. It is both minimalistic and grand, sensuous and overly romantic — exactly what you would expect from three Italian pop opera singers. Moreover, Il Volo are unquestionably charismatic and telegenic, and whoever watched Sanremo knows that the guys can deliver a flawless performance. I hope they take Europe by storm with “Grande Amore”. My only regret is that they can’t perform the full version of the song.
Score: 10/10
Max: I’m getting flashbacks to Sognu from 2011 and that isn’t a good thing. Don’t get me wrong — this is a song that I would happily listen to with a glass of red as I sit by a fireplace reflecting on life, but at Eurovision? There are certain things that the casual Eurovision viewer expects from the contest and a bargain bin Il Divo isn’t one of them. They may be popular in Italy, but I don’t think Europe will connect with them.
Score: 7/10
Chris: Ever since I first heard “Grande Amore”, I’ve been waiting for the moment where I “got” it. Here I am months later and it still hasn’t clicked. They’ve done a good job cutting down the original Sanremo version and there’s still an awful lot of drama in there, but it doesn’t leave me feeling anything after it’s done. For that alone, it seems to miss the point of being a “popera” entry to me. Great voices, but not much else.
Score: 6.5/10
Robyn: Non-English songs seem to work best when the music and the performance convey the emotion of the lyrics – and “Grande amore” is a masterclass in that. Prior to hearing “Grande amore”, I didn’t even think I liked popera, yet I love this song and all its emotional insistence (oh my!). “Grande amore” doesn’t even need fancy staging. If this trio just show up in Italian suits and sing the song as brilliantly as they did at Sanremo, they’ll do very well in Vienna.
Score: 9/10
Deban: A typical pop-opera effort that’s true to its Italian origins. It’s grand, romantic but also a tad over-pumped. If the music video is an indication of staging, then they deserve a strike for lack of originality. Yes, 24 million YouTube hits may indicate a possible victory, but it shouldn’t. “Grande Amore” is just above average.
Score: 6/10
Francheska: Ok, I know what I said on the video about Il Volo: I called them old-fashioned and completely boring. I feel the opposite now! Maybe it’s listening to the studio version and seeing the music video, but I’m so intrigued by it. The boys can certainly sing, and the best elements of opera and modern music are married perfectly! My love for the Italian language, adoration of their vocals, and fascination by the instrumentals all come together for a chocolate sundae of Italian music! Bellissimo!
Score: 9.5/10
Zach: Fan-wank alert! Fan-wank alert! It’s France 2011 all over again! I’m sorry, but I REALLY don’t understand the hype with this song. It’s incredibly dated, it sounds like something that would fit in a 1960’s era Eurovision, not 2015. I appreciate throwbacks when they’re done correctly, but this feels like calculated vintage attempting to be moving through the usage of male opera singers who also happen to be attractive. The song is boring, I honestly don’t even remember how it goes. And frankly, they really over-sing it. Popera never does well at Eurovision. If Malena couldn’t succeed these guys won’t either.
Score: 2/10
Padraig: So apparently opera doesn’t do well at Eurovision. Before Copenhagen, people said that about country, but then we met the Common Linnets. In all likelihood, Il Volo will probably do the same for their genre. They can’t be compared to previous classical efforts – they lack the kitsch and wackiness of Sweden 2009 or Romania 2013, while they’re much more dynamic and charismatic than France 2011. I think “Grande Amore” is one of those songs which has to be heard live. It builds nicely, and the closing crescendo of vocals and instrumentation has the potential to bring the house down. I can’t see this winning, but then the party ain’t over till the handsome lads sing.
Score: 7.5/10
Our jury consists of 29 people, but we only have room for 9 written reviews. Here are the remaining 20 scores.
Anthony: 9.5/10
Denise: 7.5/10
Josh: 8/10
Judit: 10/10
Kristin: 10/10
Luis: 7.5/10
Marek: 8/10
Mario: 10/10
Mike: 10/10
Mikhail: 4/10
Patrick: 8/10
Ramadan: 8/10
Renske: 8.5/10
Rezo: 1/10
Sami: 7.5/10
Sinan: 7/10
Sopon: 2/10
William: 7.5/10
William C: 9.5/10
To reduce potential bias, we drop the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. We removed a low of 1 and a high of 10.
I usually don’t respond to people who are disrespectful towards myself and people I care about/work with, but this is getting silly. 1. I don’t claim, nor have I ever claimed, to be a professional when it comes to this stuff. I write about Eurovision for FUN, it’s something I enjoy and I enjoy giving my outlook on it. I’m not trying to be a CNN writer or something. 2. These reviews are PERSONAL OPINION, so you can’t honestly expect everyone to agree with you. You like this song? That’s great, I’m not going to bad mouth your opinion. I… Read more »
Once again, Wiwi Jury members don’t deserve respect as critics, they don’t know anything about music, they only listen Madonna and Britney Spears and dance music, it is obvious this song deserves a better qualification and they will swallow your words on may 23th. William please select a better group of critics.
It is a simple ballad. 3.5/10
Terrible reviews and grades. Such a shame…
I can confirm that there is no agenda behind Wiwi Jury. The results surprised me as much as they surprised many of you. I expected most of my colleagues to be behind Il Volo, but clearly I am in minority. I also hope that Italy wins and prove my colleagues wrong. Thanks ESCaddict for your kind words directed at me although I disagree with the rest of your comment — my team mates have the right to an opinion, be it founded or unfounded on musical knowledge, as any other Eurovision fan. Let’s not forget that this is a fan… Read more »
We started with Lithuania being given a 7 this year and ended with Italy being given a horrible score ( all relative of course )
Seems to me the wiwi jury was smoking crack while making up these reviews or something and the effect of the crack went away exactly while reviewing this song.
Of course this jury won’t know a good song if it hits them on the head. These here are the lovely people who gave the Netherlands a 4.4 last year.
Please go home Wiwi jury you’re drunk.
Some really shocking comments in the Wiwi Jury’s review of “Grande Amore”. Some jurors trashed their reputation while others made fools of themselves. Not Bogdan though. Again, he is the voice of sanity. But some of the other comments….. I thought Angus knew something about music. Clearly not. To describe “Grande Amore” as opera (or “in opera”) shows his ignorance. This song is not opera. Remember this is the guy who gave Sweden’s generic song, “Heroes”, 10 out of 10. Seriously? He gives that plastic pop full marks then has the nerve to say Italy’s song is lazy & uninspired.… Read more »
I agree with that it will end like France in 2011! It will get high jury points but low points from the Televoting so it could end around 15th place!
This one defines the Eurovision’s rep of low quality songs!
1/10
NO – just NO!!!!!
Grande ballad
Popera
Yes they can sing
It does seem a bit dated
Is it just me but this category is a bit fake
I used to lap it up but not anymore
How somebody can say that this song is not “Eurovision” song after we had hard rock, other kinds of rock, alternative electro, pop, ethno and all other kinds of music in previous years?? And why Eurovision fans are so narrow minded when it comes to music at the ESC?
Every kind of music should be represented at the ESC and that’s why this contest is good. Eurovision will never become important if you want to hear only cheap songs year after year.
omg! what a shame! at least it has be higher! Better that Estonia e Sweden where you put these too high and they not original! Even if this song is old-fashion.
OMG they are not music experts and nor do they claim to be, in fact look at the top of the page they specifically call themselves music unprofessionals! I suspect many people scored the Netherlands lower than second place at this point last year as it was on the stage that it came alive so please get off your high horse!
This song is this years France or Israel… it will be a fan favourite but will fail to get enough votes to even make the top10.
the song is very old-fashioned and would not place high on international charts.
if this wins it would mean that ESC is taking two steps back
wow shame on you wiwi, this is unbelievable.
Remember last year when the Wiwi Jury gave Calm After The Storm a 4.54/10, called it bland, boring and said it would be lucky to even get to the final?
“Musical experts” indeed.
8,8/10
Would be a good winner.
Same result like Conchita from Wiwi with 7,31… We’ll see if Italy wins this year…
They are from San Remo, so they know all about song contests. I think they will “slay”, particularly if they get into the second half of the draw.
@Leo or because this is what they think of all the songs??
What are you all wanting, for them to lie?! Never have they said that this jury is an attempt to predict the results on the night. Can we please have some respect around here for what others say!
A great effort from Italy after last years failure. The voices are mixing great, and the song is a great Italian classic. A 9.2/10 from me. I think they’ll do really well, and one can not resemble this to France 2011. This song is something that much more people can connect to than the odd “Sognu”. Plus, if anyone remembers, Amaury Vassilli didn’t have a flawless vocal performance, which was the thing his song was based on.
1.Il Volo
2.Moland and Debrah Scarlett
3.Maria Elena Kiarakou
4.Maria Olafsdottir
5.Daniel Kajomoski
6.John Karagiannis
7.Elhaida Dahni
8.Leonore Andrade
9.Uzari and Maimuna
10.Bojana Stermonov
11.Boggie
12. Elunur Huseynov
13.Polina Gagarina
14.Melanie Rene
I’d appreciate not seeing any review from Angus. The only country he ever seems to have anything positive to say is Sweden. Eurovision is a song contest. Not an “over produced pop explosion contest”
Also I don’t think it’d hurt to have someone on your team who has a music background. A little quality might balance out.
I think these scores reflects the average voters. Some people love it and hold it as their winners because it’s classy without competition and also because they have the best voices. And some just think it’s outdated and are not into pop-opera. Italy compared to Sweden is the complete opposite if we are talking bookies and Ogae favourites. It’s fun.
BEFORE the staging. Austria won partly because of the staging. The song itself was not so spectacular in April and March.
Again the same story. Many readers can’t relax and respect others’ opinions. Sad. People, remember, it is not a prediction who will win! This score just reflects how much people FROM WIWIBLOGGS like this song. And citing their ranking from the last year is just ununderstandable. These rankings are made BEFO
Winning or not, these guys will have a great future… it’s sure
If you hate Sweden, you should vote for Denmark, because Italy has no chance.
omg what does even “it’s not eurovision” means? last year everybody were telling about us (greece) that we will finish in the top 10 even though our song was not a eurovision thing at all…But the fact that we ended up higher than italy (italy was 21th) was the most socking thing for me last year after the austria’s win. The fact is that you can’t say that if a song is not “eurovision” it will not be the winner or will not be placed high etc because last year our song was the most average song that a country… Read more »
Eugene ESC UK:.- This time I totally agree with your reaction it’s 100% of 100. WIwibloggs TEAM:- I am sorry for the whole WiWi-Team, you review is unrealistic. Sometimes I have the strange feeling that you guys are doing all that unrealistic Wiwi reviews for 2 x special reasons …. 1., – To get us FOLLOWERS very angry 2., – To receive from us more & more numbers of complains & negative feedbacks That’s all in your calculations pre-included as you try to develope your homepage! You should make now a quick significant change in all your statements & reviews… Read more »
Oups, sorry. 2nd part of my comment: And btw, remembering a song doesn’t necessarily guarantee quality: Trijntje’s “Why-y-y-y” can’t get out of my head, and I truly wish they would!
Totally agree with Lia’s comment here below. And what’s the issue with that “Zach” guy? “The song is boring, I honestly don’t even remember how it goes”… Well, if you don’t remember how it goes for whatever reason, don’t review it (or at least listen to it again before reviewing it). You’re basically admitting that you reviewed a song without even knowing it. Don’t write such ridiculous things and expect us to take it seriously… And btw, remembering a song isn’t
Now there is a fail, Wiwi bloggers… looks like you’ve been trying to trash a favorite. Italy is my favorite for 2015, a timeless masterpiece, and they also should struggle for the win. Surprisingly enough, I think that Italy’s main obstacle are the judges, just like in Sanremo, just like this blogger poll.
I’m not surprised at this result, look at the Wiwi Jury’s ratings last year and it’s clear that they are never accurate. It’s like every song has to be a cheesy carbon-copy pop song to be a potential winner. Also, stop saying “popera can’t succeed in Eurovision”, other opera entries such as Sognu were much weaker than this one, just because a song is a certain genre doesn’t mean anything, you can have bad pop songs and good pop songs, the same with every other genre, but suddenly everything remotely related to opera is doomed to fail at Eurovision because… Read more »
Probably this year the duel will be between Italy, Sweden and Russia for the win.
This is my absolute favorite song and I hope they win.
Also, it has nothing to do with that Sognu debacle. This is not some self-congratulatory “opera” song. This is a beautiful pop ballad sung by three young, attractive, experienced (and famous) guys with impressive opera voices, who usually slay live. They hit the tween demo, the older ladies demo, and the popera demo. As long as they stage it well, Roma 2016 is a very real possibility.
i tought that they would get better score
not my cup of tea too but a combination of pop opera (different genre than the rest of the competition), handsome trio and this being from italy will surely make them a contender. i won’t mind them winning.
i’d rather see Italy win than Sweden. FORZA GRANDE ITALIA
I think it deserves this rating, but seriously, how is it still lower than Iceland? I think Iceland’s song is just really dull and unspecial.
Your jury is a joke. End of
Rezo is obviously going to give low points to the acts left in order to keep his beloved country Georgia in the top 10 of the Wiwi jury. Please try to be honest!
No comments. 😀 😀
IL VOLO!!!!!!!! ????????????????????????????????????????????????????
I am SO happy this didn’t even make Wiwi’s Top Ten. <3
I don't like the song at all and I really hope it doesn't win, although they are undeniably talented.
Haha! I can’t stop laughing! Germany , Iceland and Latvia scores higher than this MASTERPIECE!!! Sure? This is the WINNER!!! This song don’t deserve so many haters!!!
@Auggie: I have heard of this trio since their debut, but not once have I heard a full track of any of their songs, and not one of their videos have I ever seen. When I heard this song and saw their video, I was astounded. To pay tribute to 3 movies in a way that was part-dramatic and part-comedic (and done quite tastefully), I had to grade them the way I did.
@Allen, @Eugene: That’s why I take my time to LISTEN and WATCH these performances. I don’t just throw an arbitrary grade out there, out of nowhere, when I evaluate these entries. I grade them on several criteria, and put all the criteria together to come up with the scores I came up with for all 40, with Il Volo on top of my list at 9.66.
For those who say that Italy will fail, there’s something you need to know: this song’s magic happens when performed LIVE, that’s Il Volo’s biggest asset. I confirmed that when I heard the song for the first time watching Sanremo on TV. These guys are FANTASTIC! when performing live. Pop opera ain’t my thing, buuuuutttttttttttttt, during the Final this will do good, really good, and can be a great surprise like when they returned in 2011.
Even being a good song with great voices (maybe the best voices of this year), it’s everything we could expect from Italy.
Italy didn’t surprised me, unfortunately.
But I hope it goes really well on the final.