Escmalta.com has published comments from several of the hotly tipped Maltese singers expecting to make it through to the next phase of the selection process. Several singers hoping to reach the Eurovision Song Contest, including Eleanor Cassar, J. Anvil, Glen Vella, Mary Spiteri (ESC 1992), Ludwig Galea (ESC 2004), Julie Zahra (ESC2004) and Lara Azzopardi have missed out on even the second phase of the selection process.

Escmalta.com has spoken to several of the disappointed artists, and has published their comments. Eleanor Cassar was extremely critical ofthe change to the rules of theselection process,questionning the integrity of the result.J. Anvil was equally shocked, but not angry, admitting his disappointment that not one out of the six songs submitted qualified for the next phase. Mary Spiteri maintained her dignity by politely refusing to comment until after the Eurovision Song Contest in May, whilst Ludwig Galea is reported to be shocked that so much talent was turned away.

Escmalta.com has spoken to several of the disappointed artists, and has published their comments, shown below:

Eleanor Cassar
“I’m really shocked, I was shocked when I saw the results, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I had 3 songs written by Paul Giordimania & Fleur Balzan, all of them had their own style. I don’t agree with some people stating that the facts that these songs didn’t pass the songs are of low level. Speaking for myself I believe in my songs and I assumed that at least I’ll be there with one entry. With all the respect I can’t believe that a singer doesn’t pass and another who is not a singer passes. There were such other established good singers who surprisingly too didn’t make it. I can’t understand that first it was told in the rules that 50 entries will make it to the second phase and then the rule was changed after the submission. Only the songs which reached 50% made it to the 2nd phase, leaving only 35. Anyway I will continue working on my career.”

J. Anvil
“Surprisingly I’m not there but I’m not angry at all, of course I’m really surprised too that also a singer like Eleanor Cassar is not there. From my behalf I submitted six songs, working with Chan Vella, Augusto Cardinali & Giovann Attard, Deo Grech, Toby etc. One of my songs was worked with Toby and we did our international homework on this song. Currently after that the song worked with Toby didn’t pass he song entitled ‘Feel alive’ is going to be released and a video is being plan on the track. Maybe I’ll take a break this year but surely I’ll continue, as doing in the past I will be making some appearances in France.”

Mary Spiteri (3rd place atthe Eurovision Song Contest,1992)
“I can’t comment till now, I will give my comments after May, after the Eurovision”

Ludwig Galea (12th place at the Eurovision Song Contest, 2004)
“I’m shocked and surprised a lot not for me personally but for other established singers. Glen Vella, Mary Spiteri, Eleanor Cassar & J.Anvil are all good singers and I feel sorry for them. I compete with them and it’s better to compete with good singers, I give all the best to the thirty-five. 15 songs were offered to me but I only accepted one song to be submitted for the Malta Song. Another potential singer was Julie Zahra who submitted a song, I can’t believe it that some others passed with all their respect in the ability of singing. As I’ve said personally I experienced Eurovision in 2004 so my thoughts go to those establish ones who never reached the Eurovision stage.”