RTP, the Portuguese national broadcaster, has unveiled the names of the sixteen Festival da Cançao 2019 competing composers and has confirmed the dates of the shows.
The 2018 Eurovision host country Portugal is in full steam working round the clock in order to hold its upcoming Eurovision national selection- Festival da Cançao 2019.
The Portuguese national broadcaster has confirmed the dates for Festival da Cançao 2019:
- 16/02/2019- Festival da Cançao Semifinal 1
- 23/02/2019-Festival da Cançao Semifinal 2
- 02/03/2019-Festival da Cançao Grand Final
The semifinals will be held at the RTP Studios in Lisbon whilst the venue and host city for the grand final are yet to be confirmed.
RTP has unveiled the names of the 16 competing composers in the contest. Fourteen composers were invited by RTP to submit a song, whilst two composers were selected via Antena 1 ( public call for songs and Masterclass). The composers are also responsible to decide the artist/s who will perform their respective entries in the competition.
The 2019 FdC Composers
- André Tentúgal
- Calema
- Conan Osíris
- D’Alva
- D.A.M.A
- Filipe Keil
- Flak
- Frankie Chavez ( selected via public submission window)
- Lura
- Mariana Bragada (selected via Masterclass)
- Miguel Guedes
- NBC
- Rui Maia
- São Pedro
- Surma
- Tiago Machado
Festival da Canção 2019
The 2019 FdC will consist of three shows ( two semi-finals and a grand final) scheduled to be held in February and March 2019. RTP will be revealing the 2019 FdC host cities and dates in due course.
A total of 16 acts will battle for the golden ticket to Tel Aviv, 8 acts will compete in each semi-final, the top 4 entries from each semi-final will proceed to the Grand Final of FdC. Hence 8 acts will fight for the right to represent Portugal at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in the Portuguese national final
Portugal in Eurovision
Portugal debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964 and has won the competition once, namely in 2017 with Salvador Sobral‘s Amor pelo dois. The country successfully hosted the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon.
Portugal has competed 50 times in the Eurovision Song Contest and will see its 51st participation in Tel Aviv next year.
In 2018 Claudia Pascoal & Isaura were crowned the winners of Festival da Cançao and had the honour to defend the Portuguese colours at the Eurovision Song Contest on home soil with their entry O Jardim. Despite a beautiful peformace the 2018 ESC host nation finished last in the Grand Final.
