Dmitry Danilenko Singer, winner of the Vitebsk competition of young performers Country: Belarus

1. The Plans of Shpigel-Danilenko Tandem
2. Comparison to Baskov and Support in Vitebsk
3. A Strong Contender Despite Rumors and Intrigues
4. Evaluation Criteria and the Desire for New Talents

Dmitry Danilenko - Singer, Winner of the Vitebsk Young Performers Competition

Dmitry Danilenko is a talented singer and the winner of the Vitebsk Young Performers Competition. He was born in Gomel and graduated from the Belarusian State University. Currently, he is a student at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and will be transferring to the Moscow Conservatory for his fourth year. Danilenko is known as a protégé of the influential senator Boris Shpigel and was previously married to Nikolay Baskov, a well-known Russian singer.

The Plans of Shpigel-Danilenko Tandem

The Shpigel-Danilenko tandem has grand plans for the future. They aim to release an album with the anthem of Belarus, perform a solo concert at the Kremlin, and participate in Eurovision. Nikolay Baskov was supposed to be one of the main stars of the Slavic Bazaar festival in Vitebsk. However, he sent a message a day before the festival stating that he was ill and unable to attend. The details of his illness remain a mystery, but suspicions arise due to Shpigel's influence. If Baskov had been a part of the jury as the chairman, it would have caused a scandal due to the favoritism towards Danilenko.

Comparison to Baskov and Support in Vitebsk

Danilenko has often been compared to Nikolay Baskov due to their similar hairstyles, smiles, voices, and age for starting a career. It is clear that Danilenko received support in Vitebsk, including impressive lighting effects during his performance and the presence of a talented dancer on stage. Notable figures such as singer Laima Vaikule and presenter Oksana Fedorova openly praised Danilenko, further solidifying his position in the competition.

A Strong Contender Despite Rumors and Intrigues

Despite the rumors and intrigues surrounding Danilenko, his operatic talent and abilities made him one of the strongest competitors. The Belarusian participant, Andrey Kolosov, was also expected to be a top contender, but he fell short in terms of vocal ability, energy, and stage presence. The high scores given to Kolosov were likely out of respect for the host country and to please the local audience. It is evident that charismatic performers are often lacking in song competitions, resulting in a rather dull spectacle compared to the Moscow Eurovision, which featured a dozen outstanding performances. Lithuanian rocker Ieronimas Milius stood out as a charismatic artist who blended well with the format of the competition and showcased his rock spirit.

Evaluation Criteria and the Desire for New Talents

The criteria for evaluating pop competitions are often vague. If vocal ability alone is considered, then it would be better to rely on Galina Vishnevskaya or Elena Obraztsova. Opera singers cannot be surpassed in terms of vocal talent. However, judging based on financial resources and connections is also a factor in this genre. Nevertheless, it is hoped that more genuinely bright and talented individuals, who are rich in all aspects, will emerge on the stage.