Portugal:RTP reveals Festival da Canção 2019 dates and the composers behind the entries
The Portuguese national broadcaster, RTP, has revealed the dates of the Festival da Canção 2019 shows and the composers behind the competing entries.
RTP has revealed the dates of the three shows of Festival da Canção 2019. Specifically the two semi final shows and the grand final are scheduled to take place the following dates:
- 1st Semi-Final – February 16
- 2nd Semi-Final – February 23
- Grand Final – March 2
The composers behind the competing 16 entries in this year’s edition of the contest are:
- André Tentúgal
- Calema
- Conan Osíris
- D’Alva
- DAMA
- Filipe Keil (Concurso público)
- Flak
- Frankie Chavez
- Lura
- Mariana Bragada (Masterclass)
- Miguel Guedes
- NBC
- Rui Maia
- São Pedro
- Durma
- Tiago Machado
The 16 composers were derermined in three different ways. Fourteen composers were directly selected by RTP to take part in the competition. One was selected through the “Master Class” radio program of Antena 1, while the last spot was determined by a public submissions procedure.
The Eurovision Story so Far
Portugal joined the Eurovision family in 1964 when it was represented by António Calvário, who finished last without any points. Since their debut in 1964 Portugal has missed five times the contest, the latest being in 2016. Before 2016, the best result of Portugal in the contest was a 6th placing in 1996 with Lúcia Moniz performing “O meu coração não tem cor” in Oslo. In 2017 the country got out of the list of the remaining countries without victory, as Salvador Sorbal was crowned winner in Kyiv with his song Amar Pelos Dois . Following Salvador’s win the country hosted the 63rd edition of the contest in Lisbon.
In the last Eurovision winners of Festival da Canção 2018, Cláudia and Isaura , represented Portugal with the song “O Jardim”. They finished last in the Grand Final with a total of 39 points.