Eurovision: The Contenders – Monday 24 May- 8.30pm- RTÉ One
Marty Whelan looks at some of the most hotly tipped entries ahead of the 55th Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Oslo, Norway. Marty also talks to Niamh Kavanagh about her return to the contest.
Alexander Rybak- Fairytale The Movie-Tues 25 May- 7pm- RTÉ Two
This one-hour film charts the fairytale that began with Alexander Rybak winning ESC 2009 – the fairytale that took him on a rollercoaster ride through Europe. We follow Alexander up-close and personal – with the hysteria, the rumours and the romance that featured both behind the scenes and on stage. An honest Alexander tells his tale in his own words with exclusive footage and interviews.
“Fairytale” became a major hit in Europe following its ESC win, achieving the coveted number 1 spot on most European I-tunes charts the following week. Selling more than 400,000 copies, it also reached top 3 on the European chart, #1 in Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Russia and #2 in Ireland, Finland and the Netherlands. Alexander’s ESC performance had more than 17 million hits on YouTube within a few weeks of the contest. Alexander Rybak released his debut album “Fairytales” shortly after, and emabarked on a live promo tour that took him all over Europe. This is the film of this journey, documenting the real Fairytale.
The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Final 1- Tues 25 May- 8pm- RTÉ Two
Live from the Telenor Arena in Oslo, Marty Whelan provides commentary for the first of two semi-finals in which 10 acts will qualify for the grand final on Saturday 29 May. 17 countries including Poland, Russia, Latvia, Portugal and Greece will perform and compete for 10 places in the Final.
Televoters and professional juries in each country will each have a 50% stake in the outcome, with the top-10 countries proceeding to the final. The qualified acts will be announced in random order at the end of the show.
The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Final 2- Thurs 27 May- 8pm- RTÉ Two
Niamh Kavanagh represents Ireland as she competes against 16 other countries for a place in Saturday’s final. Singing “It’s For You”, Niamh comprehensively won both the public and jury vote in the Irish national final and will sing tonight in the hope of winning a top 10 position to qualify for the Final. Commentary by Marty Whelan.
It’s been 14 years since Ireland last won Eurovision with “The Voice” performed by Eimear Quinn and written by Brendan Graham.
For a full list of Semi-Final 2 participants see: http://www.eurovision.tv/page/oslo2010/the-participants/semi-final2
The Eurovision Song Contest Final- Sat 29 May- 8pm- RTÉ One
Live from the Telenor Arena in Oslo, Norway, 25 countries compete in the Eurovision Final.
Details on “It’s For You” and Niamh Kavanagh biography
An Irish/Swedish collaboration, “It’s For You” is composed by Lina Eriksson, Mårten Eriksson, Jonas Gladnikoff and Niall Mooney.
In the 1993 Eurovision Song Contest, Niamh wowed audiences with a powerful rendition of “In Your Eyes” achieving a resounding victory for Ireland. The second of Ireland’s famous three-in-a row victories, the song went on to achieve double platinum status.
Niamh returns to the Eurovision stage in 2010 inspired by the quality of the song “It’s For You”. An Irish/Swedish collaboration, this emotional ballad perfectly showcases her ability to tell a story through melody.
Niamh has been singing for most of her life, training her voice while also indulging her love for music. In 1990, Alan Parker, director of The Commitments film, paid tribute to her vocal talent featuring her commanding renditions of several soul classics on the film’s hugely successful soundtrack album. She toured extensively with the group performing at such illustrious events as the 1992 Grammy Awards in New York and the Commitment to Life Concert in Los Angeles.
Niamh has also collaborated with some of the finest Irish and international artists including, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, who featured on her debut album, Flying Blind, and complimented Niamh on her unique voice. Niamh also made an acclaimed contribution to the Secret Garden album, Inside I’m Singing. Her rendition of Simply You, joins other songs written by ESC winners Secret Garden and Brendan Graham, and saw her sharing album space with Elaine Paige and Barbra Streisand.
Niamh is renowned for the strength and adaptability of her voice; able to produce in turn the depth and resonance of jazz, the pure clarity of the ballad, the power of rhythm and blues and the driving energy of the very best of soul music.