J’entends la voix: What are the best operatic Eurovision entries of the past 10 years?

Swedish opera singer Rickard Soderberg recently shared pictures of himself in the recording studio, prompting speculation that he’s set to make a run at Melodifestivalen 2017, which follows his previous attempt in 2015. If he wins Sweden’s national selection contest, he won’t be the first opera star to grace the stage at Eurovision.

Indeed, Eurovision lends itself to plenty of genre bending, especially when it comes to opera. Some operatic acts go all the way down the classical route, some incorporate pop elements, and others take the genre to a whole new level of extravagance. Before the fat lady sings, we decided to rank the top operatic entries of the past decade. And yes — we’re using the term very loosely indeed.

The following acts are ranked based on three metrics. First, their overall placing at the contest. Second, the percentage of available points scored (e.g Italy scored 292 out of a possible 468 points on offer in 2015). And third, the approval rating. This third metric charts the percentage of likes an entry has received on the Youtube clip of the live performance.

I’m using percentages for this analysis because it makes it easier to compare entries across different years, when different scoring systems and formats were used at Eurovision. The list only takes into account “operatic entries” from the last ten years. Given that this genre may be liked less by fans generally, the Youtube favourability ranking helps separate them from one another with a greater degree of accuracy. In any event, let’s do this…

8. Belgium 2015

Place: 14 (in the semi-final)
Points %: 15.5
Approval rating %: 75.2

Propping up the table is Axel Hirsoux, a singer who has drawn comparisons to the guy with the funny mustache on the “Go-compare” advert. Despite his vocal prowess, and a particularly excellent high register, he failed to make the final with his sweet ode to mum. Performed in a more classical manner, the results show that this operatic effort just didn’t catch on with the public or juries. Either that, or people found the ghostly woman in the background too off-putting.

7. Croatia 2013

Place: 13 (in semi-final)
Points % 21.1
Approval rating %: 82.4

The last Croatian entry before the country’s hiatus from Eurovision, this was very operatic in style. Six guys, Klapa s mora, took to the stage dressed like 16th century conquistadors singing a pleasant, if a little unremarkable number, similar to that of a church hymn. Calling the song “Misery” probably didn’t help either.

6. Sweden 2009

Place: 21 (in final)
Points %: 6.7
Approval rating %: 88.4

One of the more extravagant entries on the “opera at Eurovision spectrum”, this saw Malena become a symbol of purity amidst the madness, as she delivered an excellent vocal, for all I know reaching every octave possible. However, “La Voix” wasn’t strong enough (or accessible enough) to climb the scoreboard in Moscow. But hey: At least it seems to have inspired this national final attempt from Opera Skaala in Finland.

5. Latvia 2007

Place: 16 (in final)
Points %: 11.0
Approval rating %: 94.9

In the penultimate year of 100% televoting, Bonapart.IV made quite the impression, storming through the semi final in 4th place. The entry, albeit pastiche, embraces the more contemporary form of opera typified best by the Three Tenors and Il Divo. It’s probably a bit overacted, and the roses seem unnecessary, but heck it worked, and they come in at number 5 on our list.

4. Romania 2013

Place: 13 (in final)
Points %: 14.2
Approval rating %: 85.1

If you want to introduce somebody to Eurovision, you should probably go with this. It’s dramatic, bold, cheesy and disastrous all at once. Cezar is a countertenor singer and love him or hate him, you cannot deny that he brought one of the most entertaining entries of the last few years. This is a proper spectacle!

3. France 2011

Place: 15 (in final)
Points %: 16.3
Approval rating %: 86.9

They say dreams come true but sometimes they don’t. Unfortunately Amaury fell into the latter category with the French/Corsican “Sognu”. France were the long-time bookies favourite and, had such a result transpired, it would have been the first victory at the contest for an operatic song ever. But 15th in 2011 registers as the second highest placing France have achieved within the last six years.

2. Russia 2010

Place: 11 (in final)
Points %: 19.7
Approval rating %: 82.5

I’m clutching at straws with this one. In his defense, Peter Nalitch sounds like an operatic tenor and he wouldn’t sound out of place as the seventh member of Klapa S Mora. “Lost and Forgotten” is not opera, but the vocal is enough to include it on this list. The song itself was nice, and a bit more low-key than recent Russian entries. Who could forget the drawing Peter held up during the performance?

1. Italy 2015

Place: 3 (in final)
Points %: 62.4
Approval rating %: 95.6

Topping all three categories convincingly, Il Volo, who represented Italy in 2015, win the day. Made up of two tenors and a baritone, the group blew audiences away with their voices and their formidable stage presence. As of now, “Grande Amore” is the only opera-related song to win the public vote and it stands testament to what a song in this style can achieve if presented in a commercially viable and culturally identifiable way.

Do you agree with our list? Who should have been ranked higher or lower? And is it possible for an opera-related song to win the contest in the modern day? Leave your comments below!

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