San Francisco Frontiers - Austria's JJ makes operatic pop soar at Eurovision

With "Wasted love," which fuses pop and lyrical elements in a crescendo that flows into techno sounds, the Alpine country seems to have made a risky but rewarding choice, being tipped to come second behind Sweden.

"It surprises people that a man can sing so high," the Austrian-Filipino countertenor, 24, told AFP.

JJ -- donning cropped pants and numerous rings -- grew up in Dubai before discovering classical music in Vienna, where he is currently honing his skills between talent shows and small roles at the opera.

Even though he says he appreciates Austria's "very strict" and famous "classical world", he also wants to have the "freedom to let loose" and "experiment".

- 'Something new' -

In his Eurovision song, about the experience of unrequited love, he pivots from high soprano notes into a blend of lyricism and balladry, before ending with a techno flourish.

"We wanted to bring in something new, something unexpected," he said, adding its success surprised him.

"I did not expect that the mixture of pop and classical music would be so well received, because classical music is something different and not many people listen to it," he said.

Classical music was heard at Eurovision as early as the 1950s, then gradually mixed with varying success, with the Italian group Il Volo placing third in 2015.

JJ's "cross-genre and cross-disciplinary approach demonstrates exceptional versatility and innovative strength," said Andreas Mailath-Pokorny, rector at Vienna arts and music university MUK, where JJ studies.

JJ has dismissed comparison of his piece with that of Swiss artist Nemo, who won last year, saying there is no rap in his piece, which talks about a time in his life when he "wasted too much love" without receiving any.

Austria first won Eurovision in 1966 with "Merci, Cherie" by Udo Juergens -- a ballad about a break-up -- performed on stage by popular German singer Helene Fischer.

- Bach and Celine Dion -

"When JJ sings, it's as if time stops," says Austria's 2014 Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst, describing the "impressive professional" as a worthy successor.

Earlier this year, the two performers released a duet, while JJ says Wurst continues to give him "many tips" ahead of the Eurovision semi-final on May 15 and the final on May 17 in Basel, Switzerland.

Among his favourite artists are Mariah Carey and Anna Netrebko.

JJ got a taste for classical music from his father, an Austrian IT professional, especially for Bach and Mozart, while his mother, a cook from the Philippines, listened to Celine Dion and Whitney Houston.

Growing up in Dubai, where his father set up his company, he went to an international school there. He speaks German, English and Tagalog and learned Arabic and French.

He hails Eurovision's massive international following -- and the contest being a "platform for everyone", including the LGBTQ community.

"Music is a unified language that everyone speaks and understands," he said.

M.Hill--SFF