The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — continues to rank and review the 43 songs competing in Eurovision 2018. Next we turn to Estonia and soprano Elina Nechayeva with the popera song “La forza” (The force). Were we feeling her power? Read on to find out!
Elina Nechayeva – “La forza”
“La forza” reviews
Angus: Opera is not for everyone and projection dresses don’t work for everyone either. But Estonia has a polished package at its disposal. Elina has serious vocal firepower, the song is pure jury catnip and the performance makes Estonia’s song accessible even to people who aren’t opera fans. Elina has also nailed her vocal every time she’s performed. People are quick to throw the opera at Eurovision history book at this and it’s easy to go from opera to flopera at Eurovision. But for every Malena Ernman, there’s an Il Volo. And Estonia’s potential surely puts “La Forza” in the latter camp.
Score: 7/10
Bernardo: Elina’s performance is set to be THE moment of Eurovision 2018. The “popera” instrumental is beautifully crafted and Nechayeva’s voice is from another planet. She engages you from the first second until the last, even if you’re not a fan of the song. It’s classical yet contemporary. In true honesty, “La Forza” is made to give you the chills. And it does. Wouldn’t be surprised to book flights to Estonia next year.
Score: 9.5/10
Deban: “La Forza” wastes no time in gripping the listener. Elina is the perfect vehicle for executing this transcendental piece. Her classical training is evident, yet she remains accessible. She sparkles, oozes glamour and a reveals a rare authenticity whilst delivering her art. The key to her success is also the strength of her entry and the power behind her voice. You’ll notice her from the very first second, and probably won’t let go of her until the lights the fade out.
Score: 9.5/10
Kristin: I still have nightmares about Slovenia’s 2007 “popera”, so I was sceptical when I first listened to “La Forza”. But I didn’t hate it. It was, in fact, a rather pleasant experience. Elina is an amazing singer and delivers this beautifully. But “La forza” somehow feels a little bit forced. Shallow if one wants. The voice is there. The glamour is there. The production and staging are nearly perfect, but Elina doesn’t seem to be connecting to the song itself. It’s missing the spark.
Score: 6/10
Padraig: On paper, “La Forza” is nothing unique. In the hands of most performers, it would simply be a run-of-the-mill classical crossover. But Elina isn’t just any performer. Comparing vocals to crystal has become a cliché, but here it couldn’t be more apt. Beautiful, clear, strong, exquisite, the soprano ticks all the boxes. At times it’s hard to credit you’re listening to a live performance. Of course, the staging is an integral part of the entry’s appeal. And there will be words if Portugal’s insistence on stripping things back to basics negatively impacts on Elina’s use of projections. Very strong words!
Score: 8/10
Robyn: I have mixed feelings about “La forza”. Elina is a superb singer, but the song itself comes across more as a performance piece than a… song. And I’m so over the tired staging trope that requires the female performer to stand still while her body is used as a projection screen. But worst of all — the projection graphics make Elina’s parachute-sized gown look like it’s made from cheap tie-dyed fabric, something picked up from a weekend market stall. But still, the song will easily appeal to fans of popera and big vocals.
Score: 6.5/10
In the Wiwi Jury we have 20 jurors but only have room for six reviews. The remaining scores are below:
Anthony: 9.5/10
Antranig: 10/10
Bogdan: 9/10
Chris: 5.5/10
Cinan: 7.5/10
Jonathan: 7.5/10
Jordi: 8/10
Jovana: 6/10
Luis: 7.5/10
Renske: 8.5/10
Ron: 10/10
Sebastian: 5.5/10
Steinunn: 5.5/10
William: 7/10
We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 5.5 and a high of 10.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 7.67/10
What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!
Thinking back to the negative reviews most of wiwi’s jurors had made for Grande Amore in the day – ’cause “popera is so dated!” and “it’s not for eurovision!” and “it’s going to be France 2011 all over again because popera simply flops in ESC!” – I find it funny that they’ve only only realized the potential popera has in ESC after il volo nailed the televoting by a landslide. Because, what a shock, plain people with zero education on music can actually appreciate an operatic song if it’s truly great!! As for La Forza, I very much agree wit… Read more »
I normally don’t enjoy opera at all but I dont mind this. She sounds fantastic live, it’s pleasant (not a word I normally associate with opera!), it’s beautifully staged… and if they projection dress doen’t happen due to money issues they surely will come up with something else that will work. By the way, don’t get me started on the “we can’t ask her husband” & “it’s not for Elina herself it’s for the Estonian people we ask”-bit. Please! Do I think it can win? No. Chiefly because it has no chorus and I forget the song minutes after I… Read more »
Can somebody please tell me why Georgia comes into my mind every time I read and hear about Estonia – one is underrated the other overrated. Great singing doesn’t mean that you are able to hit high notes…
And yet, both are in my top 10. 🙂 After my first evaluation (30 days before the contest), Elina is my #1, and Iriao are my #6.
Scary! Mine:
Estonia = No.2
Georgia = No.5
I might have to keep an eye on all of your rankings!
I’m legitimately having trouble finding words to describe how spectacular this is. This song completely defies explanation. Sure, we’ve seen popera done before (Cezar had the balls of doing “dubsteppera”), but none of the acts have the class that Elina and her song have. It’s something that’s singularly strange and beautiful and unique, that has me entranced the whole way every time I listen to it. And I strangely listen to it a lot. It has an incredible heavy beat, almost modern musical theatre-like, and the classical instrumentation gives it a Romantic vibe while still feeling current. I also love… Read more »
All the better that she is NOT #1 on the bookies’ boards. When you are #1, you are a target, and everyone wants to knock you off that pedestal. Of the ESC contests that I have watched since 2013, only Emmelie from Denmark (2013) and Måns from Sweden (2015) went wire-to-wire. The other bookies’ favorites (Armenia 2014, Russia 2016 and Italy 2017) didn’t even finish 2nd.
Very interesting, well thought trough comment. Thank you.
Oh I missed an h – but you got me. thought through – it just looks crazy
I think this is the most pretentious entry of the year, it’s even faker than fake news or the plastic silicones in Nicki Minaj’s butt. Seriously, whatever happened to Estonia? What happened to your creativity? artistry? integrity? risk-taking? Whatever happened to that? Back then, Estonia sent some of the most creative songs and performances like Rändajad, Kuula, Amazing, Rockefeller Street, Play, etc. They also had the opportunity to send some of their best but didn’t like Immortality, We Ride With Our Flow, Spirit Animal, On My Mind, Laura, etc. but in the past two years, it’s just songs inspired by… Read more »
Excuse me but isn’t opera already such a huge risk to send? I get what you mean but your examples to back up your argument about creativity is weak. Mikolas is just another Jeson Derulo/Bieber/Timberlake, Equinox is some kind of project, the song has american vibe + Sia/Skeleton 2.0, Eleni is another sultry artist with generic bop, nothing new. Saying that our this years entry is inspired by Italy is naive thing to say. Italian is THE language of opera, ofc it’s in Italian, it would sound awkward if it was in Estonian, our language doesn’t fit to it. It’s… Read more »
I’m still standing by my statement that this song is pretentious as hell and deserves dead last.
Also, about your statement about Bones sounding American… What’s wrong with it? I listen to American music most of my time (along side K-pop and French pop) and there are many songs from there that are way better than La Forza (like Best Friend, Sea Castle, Clear, Pump Up Kicks, etc), so to call out Bones just because it’s American since just dumb.
There’s nothing wrong with sounding American, my point is that American music is EVERYWHERE, that concludes that it’s not new, you hear it literally every day when you turn on the radio.
I do like French pop, I prefer it more than any other pop.
And just because the song sounded American, you automatically assume that it doesn’t belong to Eurovison? That’s like calling out a drunkard for being drunk at a bar. Also, I don’t see you call out other entries that sounded like it came from another country like Slovenia this year. Also, about your argument about On My Mind. The song isn’t that generic. In fact, it reminded me of Jonas Blue. Also, I agree that Desiree has weak vocals but you do realize that that’s the exact same thing other people said about Blanche and look where it got her (4th… Read more »
No no you got it all wrong. His argument was about originality, creativity and risk taking by bringing those examples to back up his argument. My point is that American sounding is not something new per se, I didn’t say it doesn’t belong to Eurovision. On My Mind IS generic, it’s such a typical song that is made by many Estonian new artists that you have no idea. The song doesn’t have any substance, it falls into some background music that nobody notice. Believe me, I know what music we have here and this one is not that special. Comparing… Read more »
I don’t think that those who listen to opera think that her voice is that special or that the song. And I don’t think escviewers are that impressed when women sing opera.
Everytime a skirt with led projection is used in eurovision, one panda dies…
Mine too, I think. A couple of comments maybe.
In most years in Eurovision, I find one of the songs just has that winner’s moment to it and you know instantly. La Forza was that song this year. Norway, to an extent, also has it (less popular opinion).
On that topic, I think national final songs from Ryk, Felix Sandman and Aitana could have had great impact at Eurovision for the same reason.
Sorry for those who don’t like this song butsongs like La forza are why I follow this contest and still get excited about it!
I can’t feel the winners moment with this. Do you feel it usually with the real winner?
The only ones that didn’t have something obvious about them were Germany (2010), Azerbaijan (2011) and Sweden (2015).
Obviously, it’s harder with internally selected songs since you don’t see an actual performance beforehand. Austria (2014) had it once it was performed in rehearsals but not quite as a studio song.
No feeling at all, dead inside.
I think I need additional translation – it doesn’t make much sense to me.
Luna moon me up.
How often breaks Wiwibloggs story to national broadcaster’s website? Well in Estonia it does ofc. ??
https://menu.err.ee/746490/tuntud-euroblogi-hindas-elina-euroloo-esikohale
The Grand Hot Favorite! <3
One of the countries that im rooting for
to win the EuroVision this year!
Good Luck to Estonia!
#Talin 2019! <3
9/10
My ears are bleeding. -35/10
Honestly…this is my least favorite song this year.
It’s mostly the genre that’s to blame though. I do not like opera.
….but yeah, the background music she’s singing too is also kind of boring and the translated Italian lyrics don’t really mean much or make such sense when I saw them either so
To me this just seems to be relying on her voice alone(and the dress/staging) but that’s not enough.
Love this song and Elina. She can sing actually (not like girl from Israel who is with terrible voice). And I like Asutralia too this year. So for me Estonia or Australia can win.
What’s the hype with this overrated entry? Why, just because is pop opera? Romania’s Cezar had a better song in 2013 and was so underrated. This is boring and outdated. 1/10 for me
Yep, Cezar! I truly loved Cezar! Innovating& great fun! Finished 14th, though! Robbed!
The odds are all over the place before the rehersals. The final odds should flal into place after those. Bulgaria’s surprisingly good live vocals and Belgium’s bad Isreal Calling performance have caused these changes. Also the dress drama has had an effect.
Don’t get too excited. Bookies are fickle and a lot will change with rehearsals. For now, I’m with Estonia!
OOOOOHHHHH…………EXCELLENT!
4/10.
but there is no story, no personality in la forza
Bulgaria is the current EBU baby, they did everyhting to help them last year and this year the same will happen. What is weird is that he put Estonia and Bulgaria back-to-back. They both rely on big, impressive vocals and they both have a sort of Star-Wars theme so one after the other might hurt them both. But of course his imperative was to have Bulgaria (like Australia) as late as possible. As for those sudden betting movements coming from these eastern-bloc states, they are always fishy. We have seen the same thing happening with Armenia in 2014, Russia on… Read more »
Great singer, average song. Hope the juries and the televote don’t get tricked by her voice, the song is just bland. Her staging isn’t very original neither, the high pedestal, the projection dress,… come on. Good for her she has to think about a new staging without the projections. Estonia will qualify, but their place in the Grand Final will depend on their capacity to impress the jury or the televote with those vocals. Estonia is in my 25th place: 1. Germany (9)| 7. Ukraine (7.5)| 11. Italy (7.25)| 13. Lithuania (7)| 14. Denmark (7)| 15. FYR Macedonia (7)| 16.… Read more »
Oh wow! And Bulgaria is 2nd now and Belgium 7th?
I must say I wasn’t impressed when I’ve listened to it for the first time. But it has passed its first test with flying colors. Eesti Laul had a good and diverse selection and it was undeniable that “La Forza” was the right choice. Elina’s vocals are very consistent and always impressive. Her moves and expressions may look distant and cold to many, but are also ellegant and help selling it as a class act. Will it succeed again on Eurovision? Well, it’s (partially) opera. Many will hate it without even giving it a chance. But there will also be… Read more »
I so agree with you now Sabrina. At first I was mesmerized, but you’re totally right when you say that the song is beneath her. Her voice and presence totally elevate the song. The song itself is not that special, if you compare it with other popoperas like Grande Amore that really stood out. We’ll see!
I feel the same, Lourdes. “Grande Amore” would be a great entry even without the operatic singing, because the song was captivating by itself. Of course it was even better with Il Volo performing it. When I imagine a “regular” singer performing “La Forza”, I doubt it would have any impact. It’s not one of my favorites, but I wouldn’t mind if this get a great result, it’s quality material, Elina is an awesome vocalist and it would be a great way to reward what Eesti Laul did this year.
That’s a valid point, Eugene. And that’s why I gave it a good rating, since it works very well when performed by Elina, who really takes the it to another level. Robyn described it as more a performance piece than a song and I agree with her. It’s the same way I feel about Ukraine’s entry (on a totally different level, of course) If in the end, Estonia’s package turns to be the more complete, I would be perfectly fine with they winning the contest (actually, at the moment it’s the one I like the most between the 4 leaders… Read more »
Please can anybody with musical knowledge explain to me, why this music is contemporary?
To me it sounds as contemporary as the entry from Georgia.
There are some parallels in my opinion.
And there are other songs with big vocals – why does this one have some much apeal to people – I don’t get it.
It must be the beauty of the woman?
But I would apreciate some real experts to explain it to me and also why this does so well at Eurovison.
Thanks in advance.
“why this does so well at Eurovison”.
For that, we’ll have to see in May. But, mainly, opera didn’t fare well on ESC bar Il Volo.
Good voice but nothing special. The song is forgettable.
Estonia’s entries are getting better with their song choices but this is not their peak. This will finish top 5.
Well, it seems that I’m one of the few people who don’t like it… I actually really enjoy opera but the funny things is that I only enjoy it live, when I’m in the actual opera. It loses its magic on the TV screen. Of course, this song is different and it’s all about the show but it’s really not the song I would really like to download and listen, too. The lyrics are also nothing special. It’s style over substance. She has an amazing voice, that’s true, but for me it’s not enough.
Agreed with the style over substance comment.I think you are not alone in not liking this. Judging by the comments here it is pretty mixed. This is a marmite entry! I don’t like marmite.
I think that is because in any opera house the singers’ voices are direct, not amplyfied, they fill the biggest theatres like Metropolitan NY, even the whispers are perfectly audible. This requires some skills! And the emotions are raw.
Always dug it. Of this year’s entries, this one is definitely the most “Eurovision-y,” but the wow factor of her voice puts it on another level from previous similar entries. It would be welcome in the final and I like it a lot. (Also, judge not lest ye be judged – before you hate on her voice, I’d like to hear you do better.)
For those who said this is a WOW need to get out more.For me a WOW is unique. I don’t think there are any WOWs here but the closest to it is Israel this year.
I agree. The song is not a stand out-I don’t love It or hate it……it sits in the middle. I will pop out to put the kettle on for this one and not feel like anything special has been missed. Bulgaria is the act of the year for me!
Please can anybody with musical knowledge explain to me, why this music is contemporary?
To me it sounds as contemporary as the entry from Georgia.
There are some parallels in my opinion.
And there are other songs with big vocals – why does this one have some much apeal to people – I don’t get it.
It must be the beauty of the woman?
But I would apreciate some real experts to explain it to me and also why this does so well at Eurovison.
Thanks in advance.
As I’m not a fan of opera, I usually don’t like such songs. However, it’s not off putting. It’s a well composed song performed by an AMAZING voice. No doubt about it. It’s not my favourite and I don’t think it will win, but I still remember how astonished I was when I saw the national final performance.
8/10
Boring! Nothing original here with this entry- next please! It is using opera as a gimmick rather than the art form it is.
Thanks, but no thanks.
This song does nothing for me.
Don’t mind if it wins tho (but I doubt). But seriously, if juries vote for this after they screwed over Il Volo, I don’t know what to say..
The truth is I prefer Il Volo to Elina. That was sth exceptional!
Finally…. I remember in December when I scrolled through the Eesti Laul Songs everything was kinda meh and then La Forza came… The first time I heard it I was genuinly about to cry, because I thought it was SO freaking beautiful (Robin Benggtsston Quote not intended lol.). I didn’t know anything about the other countries’ Songs, but I immediatly had these winner vibes. I still think that Estonia is likely to be the winner and not Israel, but I’m not sure about that. I love everything about the song and the Performance…. The melody is totally stunning and in… Read more »
haha basically similar to my story which I wrote before, high-five 😀
Oh yeah, you’re right actually! 😀 Maybe we’re the same person tho..
I already though some time ago that you might be my eurovision soulmate since we have so much things in common in matter of tastes and opinions 😀
thought* ofc
We agree on this one too! 🙂 I will guess your other 3 10s are Czehia, Hungary and Bulgaria! 😉
Exactly!!! ^^
As I am not at all a fan of popera, Estonia does not get a lot of sympathy from at first. But within the genre the song seems well enough structured and obviously Elina’s voice is fantastic. I personally would do it without the dress. The song is strong enough to stand by itself and would free Elina from that straightjacket. 6,5/10
Great review, Eugene! So glad you like it. 🙂
This song just travels me makes feel things and everytime i listen to it its like listening to a different song so many emotions.Really hope this wins
She may not be the best opera singer (her piano voce needs some work), but she knows to bring the best out of this song.
@LydV Just to pick up on some of the comments you made, I think its contradictory to say that you like Opera (a lot) but the song is a mess whilst also stating that it sounds like every other opera song. Well if you like the genre of a opera and this sounds just like all the others, how can it also be a mess? Also I don’t think that we should take for granted that all opera singers have perfect voices. As this is not the case and takes an incredible amount of skill to deliver to the level.… Read more »
It’s so funny that the voiceless Foureira with her mediocre song got 7.61 and this masterpiece got only 7.67! It is just ridiculous.
Anyway, for me it’s by FAR the most beautiful song of 2018 and it’s gonna win.
But her lowest rating here was still 5.5, which is very high for a low score.
Iiris Vesik will drop her boogie all over this cheap trash. #JusticeforIiris
I really don’t know why I like this one, but I do. Damn she has a set of lungs and she sells the song! I won’t be sad if she loses the dress though, Aliona Moon, b itch stole my look.
I do hope this does well!
Strictly speaking Sabina Babayeva did the projection dress first! Aliona stole HER look.
Strictly speaking, Aliona’s was so much better!
So was her song!
It is not stealing anymore, if you can do 100% better, which case Estonia has manage to do it!
In my opinion she is not a fabulous opera singer, she is a professionaly trained soprana. Maria Callas, say, made audiences weep in her time, every word was dripping passion, nobody was left indiferrent. But if Elina will attract millions and millions towards opera I’ d say bravo!
She was impressive in Eesti Laul. Her song and staging will be very fitting in the Eurovision stage similar to Il Volo, Conchita and Salvador Sobral’s performances. It’s glamorous and artistic and that’s what I like about La Forza.
This entry is about fireworks and colored dress. This is not music with filling. We are lost in Verona
This week, I am listening to all the songs and watching the music videos for the VERY FIRST TIME! I just saw the clip of her Eesti Laul performance for the first time, and I see why she is upset about the possibility that she might not be able to use that dress and the CGI projection on the ESC stage. Absolutely spectacular! It goes very well with the song… …But then again, Wiktoria used this technology at MelFest twice, and flopped both times. I can’t say whether it might be a blessing or a curse for Elina, but with… Read more »
Padraig: “And there will be words if Portugal’s insistence on stripping things back to basics negatively impacts on Elina’s use of projections.”
What does “stripping things back to basics” got to do with the use of projections? Please don’t be dramatic. If you’ve got a good song, you’ve got a good song. And I’m sure the Estonians, or anyone else, is intelligent enough to overcome any (“imaginary”) issues that might impact their original performance. In my humble opinion, most of their original projections are boring anyway.
Huh, I’m sorry, but Estonia is a small country and it’s important for us to present our country well worldwide. It’s once in years we have so good odds and we really want to do well. We haven’t got into final for years, despite being fan-favourites etc, and yet we have kept on trying to elevate our national selection and so on. Besides, Eesti Laul’s producer has said that they have elevated the projection and compared to what we could have other projected dresses in history would just fade out. And it would be sad if exactly this year because… Read more »
I like it, but I doubt that it will qualify. We know juries are not big on Opera-pop (SWE 09, FRA 11, ITA 15, CRO 17), and latest fan voting (OGAE and INFE) makes me think that this will not have huge televoting support either. I also think they do not seem to have a PLAN B for staging as they are trying raise funds for the dress..
My score: 6.5/10. It’s a decent effort, it is a fresh breath of air (as it is different than anything else this year), but it lacks the oomph factor.