Lady Gaga Sings “Imagine” To Open European Games: Watch

Christina Lee | June 14, 2015 8:00 am
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The first-ever European Games opened on June 12 in Baku, Azerbaijan, with a surprise performance by Lady Gaga. With the grace and confidence of a grande dame, she did a full-throated rendition of John Lennon‘s “Imagine” at Olympic Stadium (capacity: 68,000) while seated at a piano covered in flowers and as fireworks shot into the sky.

Friday’s launch of the European Games, featuring more than 6,000 athletes from 50 countries, was met with some controversy. Journalists and human rights activists were denied entry to the tournament, and after a year in which host country Azerbaijan prosecuted or jailed several dozen of such people in 2014.

Still, Lady Gaga’s performance is worth seeing. She helped add to the pomp of the two-hour affair, which reportedly cost $100 million and even featured a carrying of the torch like the Olympics. Watch the ARTPOP diva do “Imagine” up top, then see the full European Games opening ceremony below.

Get an eyeful of even more pop music coverage, from artist interviews to exclusive performances, on Idolator’s YouTube channel.