Noam Bettan and the dancers on the Eurovision stage in Vienna. The European Broadcasting Union, or EBU, released the first photos Monday of Israel’s representative in the competition, from a rehearsal held the previous day.
Members of the Israeli delegation described Bettan’s first rehearsal as “a great success.” He took the stage with the song “Michelle,” and the rehearsal revealed initial details of the performance and staging. He opened the song from within a “large and spectacular stage prop,” which the delegation calls “the diamond” and describes as “the largest prop in this year’s Eurovision production.”
The diamond, which contains Bettan along with one of the dancers, incorporates internal mirrors that create a duplication effect reminiscent of the song’s music video. The central portion of the number is performed with the prop in the background accompanying the act, and the delegation said Bettan already demonstrated vocal abilities in the first rehearsal that drew enthusiastic reactions from those in the hall.
As of this writing, Bettan is ranked sixth by bookmakers to win the Eurovision Song Contest. He is set to take the main stage next Tuesday, May 12, when he will perform 10th in the first semifinal broadcast. Countries advancing from the first semifinal will compete in the grand final, scheduled for May 16.