Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996
Encyclopedia
Norway was represented by Elisabeth Andreassen
, with the song '"I evighet
", at the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 18 May at the Oslo Spektrum
, following Secret Garden
's victory for Norway in Dublin the previous year. "I evighet" was chosen as the Norwegian entry at the Melodi Grand Prix
on 30 March. This was the last of four Eurovision appearances as a main performer by Andreassen, a record shared with Lys Assia
, Fud Leclerc
and Peter, Sue & Marc.
, hosted by Tande-P
. Eight songs took part with the winner being chosen by voting from regional juries. Other participants included three-time Norwegian representative and MGP regular Jahn Teigen
(as one of the duo To Tenorer) and Geir Rønning, who would later represent Finland
in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005
.
granted Norway, as the host nation, exemption from an audio-only pre-qualifying round which took place on 20 March with all 29 other participants competing to avoid the bottom seven placings which would mean early elimination from the 1996 contest and non-representation in Oslo.
On the night of the final Andreassen performed 12th in the running order, following Estonia
and preceding France
. At the close of voting "I evighet" had received 114 points, placing Norway second of the 23 entries. The highest marks received were three 10s from the Netherlands
, Slovenia
and Sweden
– since the introduction of the current scoring system in 1975, "I evighet" is the only song to have finished second without receiving a single 12 points vote. The Norwegian jury awarded its 12 points to Portugal
.
Andreassen is one of five artists – along with Lys Assia
, Gigliola Cinquetti
, Linda Martin
and Dima Bilan
– to have finished both first and second at Eurovision.
Elisabeth Andreassen
Elisabeth Gunilla Andreassen - also known as just "Bettan" - is a Swedish-Norwegian singer who has finished both first and second in the Eurovision Song Contest....
, with the song '"I evighet
I Evighet
"I evighet" is a song by Elisabeth Andreassen, The original lyrics were written by Wendell Miller of U.S.A. melody written by Torhild Nigar copyright 1986 was the Norwegian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996.The song is a ballad, with Andreassen singing about the eternal nature...
", at the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 18 May at the Oslo Spektrum
Oslo Spektrum
Oslo Spektrum is an indoor multi-purpose arena in east central Oslo, Norway. It opened in December 1990. It is currently owned and operated by Norges Varemesse , who also own and operate the Norges Varemesse conference center in Lillestrøm which is Norway's largest conference center...
, following Secret Garden
Secret Garden (duo)
Secret Garden is an award-winning Irish-Norwegian duo playing New Instrumental Music, also sometimes erroneously known as Neo-classical music.Secret Garden features the Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry and the Norwegian composer/pianist Rolf Løvland...
's victory for Norway in Dublin the previous year. "I evighet" was chosen as the Norwegian entry at the Melodi Grand Prix
Melodi Grand Prix
Melodi Grand Prix is an annual music competition organised by Norwegian public broadcaster Norsk Rikskringkasting . It determines the country's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest, and has been staged almost every year since 1960.The festival has produced three Eurovision winners and...
on 30 March. This was the last of four Eurovision appearances as a main performer by Andreassen, a record shared with Lys Assia
Lys Assia
Lys Assia born Rosa Mina Schärer on 3 March 1924, Rupperswil, Aargau, Switzerland) is a Swiss singer who won the first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. When Lys Assia was a young girl she was a dancer. In 1940, however, she stood in for a female singer...
, Fud Leclerc
Fud Leclerc
Fud Leclerc was a Belgian singer, who was also the pianist of Juliette Gréco. Born Fernand Urbain Dominic Leclercq, Leclerc had a career as a pianist, accordionist, song writer and singer before retiring to travel the world. On his return to Belgium he began a new career as a building contractor...
and Peter, Sue & Marc.
Final
The MGP was held at the studios of the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation in OsloOslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, hosted by Tande-P
Alf Tande-Petersen
Alf Tande-Petersen, nicknamed Tande-P is a Norwegian television personality, journalist, writer and businessperson. In his early career he wrote in newspapers and was a radio presenter, and he has released books in several genres, mostly humor and crime novels. He was also behind various revues...
. Eight songs took part with the winner being chosen by voting from regional juries. Other participants included three-time Norwegian representative and MGP regular Jahn Teigen
Jahn Teigen
Jahn Teigen is a Norwegian singer and musician. Jahn received a knighthood from H.M. King Harald V. He represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest three times, in 1978, 1982 and 1983. His given name was Jan, he added the silent H later. Since October 2006 he has been living in Sweden...
(as one of the duo To Tenorer) and Geir Rønning, who would later represent Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005
Eurovision Song Contest 2005
The Eurovision Song Contest 2005 was the 50th Eurovision Song Contest, which was held at the Palace of Sports, Kiev, Ukraine. The winner was Greece's My Number One, written by Christos Dantis and Natalia Germanou and performed by Swedish-born Greek singer Elena Paparizou, who scored 230 points,...
.
| Draw | Artist | Song | Translation | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scandinavia | "Når hjertet står i brann" | When the heart is on fire | 12 | 8 |
| 2 | Arnold B. Family Arnold Børud Arnold Børud is a Norwegian singer, musician and record producer.He grew up in Askim, and has been a devout Christian since the age of 18, when a friend invited him to a Christian camp. Only two years later, he had learned the guitar and piano, and released his first record as a part of the duo... |
"Din smittende glede" | Your huge joy | 29 | 6 |
| 3 | Elisabeth Andreassen Elisabeth Andreassen Elisabeth Gunilla Andreassen - also known as just "Bettan" - is a Swedish-Norwegian singer who has finished both first and second in the Eurovision Song Contest.... |
"I evighet" | In eternity | 88 | 1 |
| 4 | Stephen Ackles | "Jennina" | — | 32 | 5 |
| 5 | Mia Gundersen | "Tenn lys" | Light a candle | 28 | 7 |
| 6 | Helga Hatløy Hagen & Marie Hatløy Osdal | "Frieri" | Proposal | 56 | 2 |
| 7 | Geir Rønning | "Uten de'" | Without you | 56 | 2 |
| 8 | To Tenorer | "Ariel" | — | 39 | 4 |
At Eurovision
The European Broadcasting UnionEuropean Broadcasting Union
The European Broadcasting Union is a confederation of 74 broadcasting organisations from 56 countries, and 49 associate broadcasters from a further 25...
granted Norway, as the host nation, exemption from an audio-only pre-qualifying round which took place on 20 March with all 29 other participants competing to avoid the bottom seven placings which would mean early elimination from the 1996 contest and non-representation in Oslo.
On the night of the final Andreassen performed 12th in the running order, following Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
and preceding France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. At the close of voting "I evighet" had received 114 points, placing Norway second of the 23 entries. The highest marks received were three 10s from the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
and Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
– since the introduction of the current scoring system in 1975, "I evighet" is the only song to have finished second without receiving a single 12 points vote. The Norwegian jury awarded its 12 points to Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
.
Andreassen is one of five artists – along with Lys Assia
Lys Assia
Lys Assia born Rosa Mina Schärer on 3 March 1924, Rupperswil, Aargau, Switzerland) is a Swiss singer who won the first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. When Lys Assia was a young girl she was a dancer. In 1940, however, she stood in for a female singer...
, Gigliola Cinquetti
Gigliola Cinquetti
Gigliola Cinquetti is an Italian singer, TV presenter and journalist.-Biography:At the age of 16 she won the Sanremo Music Festival in 1964 singing "Non ho l'età" , with music composed by Nicola Salerno and lyrics by Mario Panzeri...
, Linda Martin
Linda Martin
Linda Martin is an Irish singer and television presenter. She is best known in Europe as the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1992, with the song "Why Me?", and in Ireland as a member of the 1970s/1980s band, Chips.-Chips:Martin started off her musical career when she joined the band Chips...
and Dima Bilan
Dima Bilan
' is a Russian actor and pop singer . Bilan represented Russia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with "Never Let You Go", finishing second, and he won the contest in 2008 in Belgrade, with the song "Believe". He has had several Russian no. 1 hits....
– to have finished both first and second at Eurovision.