News - [UPD] German final: the rehearsals | Eurovision Song Contest News - Azerbaijan 2012 

Tomorrow, the German national final will be held. Three music acts will compete and the winner will be chosen by televoting. The first rehearsals were held yesterday and along with the first information on the performances more details on the show can be revealed.

UPDATE:

The first rehearsals for the national final entries took place today.

1. Heinz Rudolf Kunze - Die Welt ist Pop

To illustrate his entry, Heinz Rudolf Kunze decided to bring a colourful pop art show on stage: on the video screens in the background, pictures of the singer himself in the style of Roy Lichtenstein along with the word POP are shown. Kunze will be waering a classic black suit and his typical sun glasses.

2. Roger Cicero - Frauen regier'n die Welt

The swing singer will bring a James Bond atmosphere on stage. The dominating colours in the background are black and red. Referring to his song title, silhouettes of some women and big band members are on screen. If it will help that tomorrow is the International Women's Day? Roger Cicero wears a classic grey suit with a white shirt and a proper tie.

3. Monrose - Even heaven cries

Time for some romance: to illustrate their ballad, Monrose have prepared a detailed choreograhy. Furthermore, they bring swings and lots of flowers on stage. The optical presentation was inspired by the official video clip of the song which has a similar motto. In the background, there is an autumn scenery - of course the main part is the sky. The three group member all wear different silk dresses in beige.

Like last year, the three contestants will have to perform a Eurovision Song Contest classic, which has been very succesful: Texas Lightning performed their country version of Waterloo then recorded and released it on their single No no never. Vicky Leandros sang her own 1972 winning song Après toi.

1. Heinz Rudolf Kunze - Merci chérie

As a classic, he decided to perform the only Austrian winning song in the contest: Udo Jürgens' Merci chérie back in 1966. Udo Jürgens is still one of the most succesful singers in the German speaking countries. Kunze wears a black pinstripe, holding the microphone rack in his hands. Red light effects are used to illustrate the song.

2. Roger Cicero - Zwei kleine Italiener

Since his song title says that women rule the world, Roger Cicero decided to sing a song that was originally performed by one: Conny Froboess sang Zwei kleine Italiener for Germany in Luxembourg in 1962. The song was a massive hit in Europe and probably the commercially most succesful German entry ever. Roger will be wearing a grey suit and - as always - a proper hat and sunglasses. The big band version will be illustrated by a classic big band performance.

3. Monrose - Wunder gibt es immer wieder

It might come as a surprise that the three singers chose a song in German: They will perform the 1970 entry Wunder gibt es immer wieder. The song is still an evergreen and reached the first third place for Germany in the contest, performed by Katja Ebstein. The same singer would achieve the first second place for the country ten years later. Monrose will perform a pop version of the song with a detailed choreography. Every move has been exactly planned. They will also use dramatic light effects.

You can find picture galleries of the dress rehearsals on eurovision.de here.

The show will be hosted by Thomas Hermanns. The music during the show will not be a playback as in Helsinki: Again the St. Pauli Kurorchester will provide the musical background.

Like last year, many former Eurovision Song Contest participants will be among the guests: Bucks Fizz (United Kingdom 1981, 1st with Making your mind up), Johnny Logan (1st for Ireland in 1980 with What's another year and in 1987 with Hold me now; winner as composer in 1992 with Why me? and runner-up in 1984 with Terminal 3.), Gitte (Germany 1973, 8th with Junger Tag), Siw Malmkvist (10th for Sweden in 1960 with Alla andra får varann and 9th for Germany in 1969 with Primaballerina), Wencke Myhre (6th for Germany in 1968 with Ein Hoch der Liebe) as well as Alice & Ellen Kessler (8th for Germany in 1959 with Heute Abend woll'n wir tanzen geh'n).  

The show will be broadcast live at 20:15 CET. As part of the big 4, Germany is directly qualified for the final round in Helsinki.