After the lunch break, San Marino, Belgium and Azerbaijan take to the fantastic Belgrade stage for the second session of Eurovision Song Contest first semi final rehearsals in Serbia.

Song 5 – San Marino Complice

Thefive piece bank from San Marino gave a rather understated performance oftheir song at this morning rehearsals. This allows for a softer sound withtheemphasis on the orchestrationand gives a chance for the song to develop effectively. Miodio use a balletic female dancer whorelates with the lead singer, Nicola Della Valle,during the song to good effect without causing anydistracting. The performance is relatively gimmick free, the strong vocal performance from the lead singeris the the selling point of the entry. He greets and uses the camera to full advantage.

Song 6 – Belgium O Julissi

The only song of the year in an entirely made up language, the Belgian representatives took to the stage for their first rehearsal. With the screens showing calligraphic white shapes on black with a base of yellow aroudn the stage. The lead singer seeems a little nervous in the surroundings and the screens show a slightly disjointed view. The song is hottly tipped to do well this year, and the view of traditional musical instruments is welcome reminder of the orchestral days of old. The sound levels are also a little out of synch, with the leaf vocal souding sligthly too deep. By the final run through, the sound was improved and the singer looked clearly happier.

Song 7 -Azerbaijan – Elnur and Samir – Day After Day

Flamesare projected on the screen to greet Elnur and Samir onto the stage forcertainly the most dramatic performance on dayoneof the Eurovision Song Contest rehearsals. The musical arrangement of Day After Day has changed to allow Elnur to show the full range of his vocal power throughout the song. The biggest change occurs at the start of the song whichis now has a slower and gentler. Both Elnur and Samir give tighter vocal performance than was seen at this year Azerbaijan national final. The theme of devils and angels is continued. The pair are joined by 4 girls on stage, two are dressed with angle wings alongside Elnurand other two are dressed in black and act as servants to the devil (Elnur). Pyrotechnics enhance the vocal contortions delivered by Elnur and Samir.

You can read about this morning's rehearsals from Montenegro, Israel, Estonia and Moldova along with videos here.Videos will be added as soon as they are put online.