This Saturday, December 19th, on TV channel TF1, Patrick Fiori, 1993 French Eurovision entrant, won the reality talent contest La Bataille des chorales with a 20-members choir from Corsica.

Fiori and his singers won the first prize ahead of Dany Brillant, who represented Juan-les-Pins (2nd) and Ophélie Winter, representing Uzès (3rd). Last week, Amel Bent’s choir (La Courneuve) and Passi’s (Paris) were eliminated. La Bataille des chorales is not an original format but a French version of Clash of the choirs (USA), Kuorosota (Finland), La Batalla de los coros (Spain), Korenslag (The Netherlands), Det store korslaget (Norway) or Körslaget (Sweden).Quite of a few Eurovision Song Contest (and national final) entrants took part in those “Clashes”: Soraya in Spain this year, Marion Rung in Finland this year as well (with Vicky Rosti announced as part of the 2010 edition), Hanne Krogh, winner with her team in Norway in 2009 (with Benedicte Adrian, of Dollie de Luxe, & Åge, of Wig Wam, already announced as candidates for the 2010 edition), Lotta Engberg, Siw Malmkvist, Agnes Carlsson, Markoolio, Linda Bengtzing in the first Swedish season, Nanne Grönvall, LaGaylia Frazier, Magnus Carlsson in the second season, and Roger Pontare, Amy Diamond, Caroline af Ugglas, Ola Svensson and Andreas Lundstedt this fall.

Patrick Fiori performed Mama Corsica under the French flag at the 1993 Eurovision Song Contest and placed 4th.

Bataille des chorales teasers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru_SmRfiC9w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR43-jW3V-g