I don't agree with this prejudice against closed eyes! As pointed out earlier, blind performers like Doc Watson and Stevie Wonder are world class, world famous performers, and no one would complain about eye contact. Warning to Andrea Bocelli, don't bother to sing where this prejudice prevails. Closing eyes can be an emotional addition to a singer's performance, for them AND for the audience. To have such a hard and fast rule of keeping eyes open all the time is RIDICULOUS. And I agree, dramatic eye contact in a theatrical way makes me cringe, too.