"A polished show, great sound!": Michael Ben-David finished his first rehearsal at the Eurovision Song Contest

Michael Ben David performed the song IM for the first time on the Eurovision stage in Turin.

"I feel like I'm in a dream," he replied to the Walla!

Culture and also referred to his family who remained in Ukraine

Yaniv Dornbush, Turin

02/05/2022

Monday, 02 May 2022, 14:44 Updated: 14:49

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After a difficult journey that included retirement threats, conflict with the creators, security issues and internal politics, the great moment of Michael Ben-David has arrived.

Ben-David, Israel's representative for Eurovision 2022, took the stage in Turin and held the first rehearsal for the second semi-final, which will be held on Thursday in a week and a half.

The song IM will try to do what all the betting sites and amateur rankings say will not happen, and that is to advance to the Eurovision final which will be held two days later, on May 14th.

We can not give you too many details about the rehearsal because of the bad work that the European Broadcasting Union is doing this year, but the official Eurovision website reports that Michael Ben David's vocal performance is excellent, the choreography is polished, the four dancers are hot, the pop banger is amazing, and concludes - Eurovision level complete.

More on Walla!

It is his only way: Michael Ben-David's route to the Eurovision Song Contest is full of bumps

To the full article

"Great sound."

Michael Ben David (Photo: EBU / NATHAN REINDS)

"I fear for my family in Ukraine"

During the international press conference held after the first rehearsal, Michael Ben-David answered Walla!

Culture regarding the bumps and obstacles he went through on the way to Turin: "It's amazing, it's amazing, I feel like I'm in a dream, look at me, wearing glitter. I'm healthy, I'm in love, I feel loved, just thank you, thank you, I'm inspired to be here, and sit here ".

It will be recalled that there is a conflict between Ben-David and the composers of the song, and along the way there has been concern more than once regarding the cancellation of Israel's participation in the competition.

Ben-David also referred to the war in Ukraine, where he has a family: "I have a family name and nephews, I feel terrible. We talk every two days as much as possible, because they are in shelters. The situation is very difficult because my family is patriotic, they do not want to come to Israel, for them Ukraine "It is their country and they are not ready to move away, and I am afraid of them. They have no food, no medicine, it is a disaster and it is very difficult for me."

Michael Ben David (Photo: EBU / NATHAN REINDS)

The gambling situation is difficult but stable

So the first difficult part of Michael Ben - David's journey to conquer Italy is behind him.

Israel, like any country participating in the Eurovision Song Contest, is given the opportunity for two rounds of private rehearsals.

The first round of rehearsals lasts exactly half an hour during which the artists perform the song between three and four times.

The first performance is usually not very successful because this is the first time they are on stage itself and not in rehearsal rooms.

In the next two or three rehearsals they are already getting better, and then the team moves to the viewing room to see what it looks like at the shooting angles.

This is the stage where battles begin between the Eurovision production and the delegations themselves, in an attempt to change, improve and update.

The second rehearsal takes place three days later, and in the case of Israel and Michael Ben-David, it will take place on Thursday, May 5, Independence Day, at 12:40 Israel time.

The second round lasts only 20 minutes and the delegation hopes to be able to put in three performances in that time.

For the first time journalists will not be allowed to enter the hall itself, and as part of the European Broadcasting Union's controversial collaboration with Tiktok, excerpts from rehearsals only go up there, without YouTube.

As part of the poor service given to amateurs and journalists this year, short videos come up with a delay of long hours, compared to at least an hour in previous years.

Michael Ben David (Photo: EBU / NATHAN REINDS)

Currently, Israel is ranked 35th in the chances of winning, and only 16th in the chances of reaching the final, with only Northern Macedonia and Ireland behind it.

We hope that after the rehearsals are fully revealed, the public will be convinced, and Michael will give a gift to Israel - the seventh Eurovision final in a row.

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