A Night of High Stakes and Raw Emotion

The quarterfinals of Es mi sueño ("It's My Dream") — one of Argentina's most-watched talent competitions on Eltrece — delivered an unforgettable moment of tension on July 30, 2026. The show, which searches for the country's next great musical talent, often pushes contestants to their limits, and sometimes artistic visions clash in the most dramatic way.

Joaquín Levinton's Score and Critique

Joaquín Levinton, frontman of the beloved Argentine rock band Turf and a regular judge on the show, began his comments with praise: 'Congratulations, you sang very well.' However, when explaining his score of 50 points (out of 100), he clarified his criteria: 'I gave you 50 because I think I'm rating about half of the performance. Some contestants bring a planned outfit, choreography, many things that feed the spectacle.'

Levinton, aiming to push the young singer to deliver more in this crucial stage, advised: 'You have to think you're at the Teatro Ópera in Buenos Aires, doing a full show.'

The Judge's Challenge and the Contestant's Maturity

In response, Levinton raised the temperature with a daring proposal live on air: 'Do you want to come sit here and I'll go there?' The tension lasted only seconds, as Matías, with a smile and great professionalism, defused the situation: 'As you wish, come on, no problem. I say this with all respect because maybe I decided to sing and not so much to put on a big show, because then they tell me it's too much. So I try to stay calm.'

Nahuel Pennisi's Support

Host Guido Kaczka then turned to fellow judge Nahuel Pennisi, a renowned Argentine singer-songwriter, who agreed with Levinton's score. Pennisi highlighted Matías's wide vocal range but noted that worrying too much about external factors 'may have worked against you,' offering a technical perspective to the passionate debate.

Sources: Eltrece, Infobae, and A24.