Lys Assia took part in the German-language folk music song contest Grand Prix der Volksmusik 2007 last Saturday in Vienna, Austria. Many thought the 83 year-old Swiss chanteuse could easily claim the Volksmusik trophy along with her 18 year-old duet partner Beatrice. However, televoters chose the Austrian group “Sigrid & Marina mit den Zillertaler Haderlumpen” for the top honour; Lys Assia and Beatrice finished 12th out of 16 performances. Now Ms. Assia says she is determined to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade next year. “We'll see, maybe I can get a few more points there,” she said.
The Eurovision Song Contest's first winner and her singing partner performed the song "Sag mir wo wohnen die Engel (Tell me where the angels live)" during the Grand Prix finale which was televised live last Saturday night. Lys Assia was clearly disappointed with her 12th place finish. "Next year I'll take part in the Eurovision Song Contest! We'll see, maybe I can get a few more points there," she said somewhat bitterly in an interview for Swiss Television that was recorded immediately following the disappointing results.
Swiss Television spokesman Urs Durrer told reporters she can certainly apply for Switzerland's internal selection. He said she would have a chance as long as she meets all of Switzerland's entry requirements. The Grand Dame Eurovision should in fact meet all of the requirements given on the Swiss Television Eurovision homepage; if she does take part in 2007 it would be her fourth time at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Lys Assia and Beatrice were the favourites chosen by Swiss televoters last April to represent Switzerland in the Grand Prix der Volksmusik; they were joined by three other Swiss entries also chosen by televoting – each participating country is allowed to send four entries. However, immediately following the contest's finale Saturday Lys Assia blamed her duet partner Beatrice for their poor result and told interviewers that she would have done better if she had a more experienced singer or a group backing her.
Beatrice toldSwiss viewers that she was happy to have had the experience with Lys Assia when she appeared alone Tuesday on the Swiss talk show glanz und gloria. However, she said she will not be entering the Eurovision Song Song Contest either with Lys Assia or as a solo act. "That's not my style of music," the friendly young folk musician laughed.
The Grand Prix der Volksmusic is an annual German language television song contest between Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the German-speaking region of Italy. Organized by the public broadcasters in these countries, the international song contest follows a familiar format but is geared to German- language folk music. Previously, Swiss musician Francine Jordi found success in the Grand Prix der Volksmusik – winning for Switzerland in 1998. However, she was much less successful when she entered the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland in 2002 – finishing third from last.
