As if to demonstrate the importance of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, John Fisher, the boss of Welsh National Opera sat bang smack in the middle of the assembled guests for the launch of this year’s competition to watch one of the 2007 winners perform.Why? Because soprano Elizabeth Watts is now singing Susannah in his opera company as it tours with Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro. It could actually have been another member of that cast who entertained the guests at the unveiling of the 25 names taking part this June, as the competition’s Audience Prize winner Jacques Imbrailo is also in the Figaro cast. The final 25 have been selected from more than 600 singers from 68 countries who took part in auditions held in 44 locations as far afield as Sydney and Stockholm, Bucharest and Beijing, all eager to win a place in the world’s greatest singing competition, organised by BBC Cymru Wales. Joining the panel of judges for the first time this year are acclaimed bassist Kurt Moll, Irish mezzo Ann Murray, one of opera’s legendary divas, Dame Gwyneth Jones, leading tenor Giacomo Aragall and illustrious conductor Richard Bonynge. The singers will travel to Cardiff this June to compete for the title BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2009. This year’s series of concerts will be held between Sunday, June 7 and Thursday, June 11. The final will take place on Sunday, June 14. They will follow in the footsteps of some of opera’s biggest names who have gone on to huge careers, such as Bryn Terfel, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Karita Mattila and Lisa Gasteen. The 2007 Chinese winner Shenyang is about to make his debut at the Metropolitan Opera, New York and in January made his UK recital debut at BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff. Elizabeth Watts joined Menna Richards at the launch of the 2009 competition at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, and gave a recital with accompanist Michael Pollock. They performed three Schubert songs: Frühlingsglaube; Nacht und Träume and Die Forelle. All the singers are eligible to take part in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Rosenblatt Recital Song Prize with its £5,000 prize, a trophy and the offer of a recital as part of the Rosenblatt Recital Series at St John’s Smith Square. The winner may also join BBC Radio 3’s New Generation Artists Scheme. This competition opens at the New Theatre on the evening of Saturday, June 6 and is followed by three afternoon recitals on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. The final takes place at St David's Hall, Cardiff on Friday June 12. The official accompanists will be Phillip Thomas, Simon Lepper and Ll_r Williams. During the competition, the jury members give Master Classes which are open to the public. The Ian Smith of Stornoway Trust will support a full day of Master Classes on Saturday, June 13. A spokesman for the Trust said: “Ian Smith would have considered Cardiff Singer of the World a great showcase for aspiring artists. This is a perfect opportunity to remember his own contribution to music as well as to open up more opportunities for these wonderful young singers.” The Master Classes will be held at the New Theatre, Cardiff and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff. Details of the competition are available at www.bbc.co.uk/cardiffsinger. A booking form can also be downloaded from this site. All remaining season tickets are on sale now via postal bookings only from the Box Office, St David’s Hall, The Hayes, Cardiff CF10 1AH. All other tickets (subject to availability) are available for the preliminary round concerts and the Final by post, telephone on +44 (0) 29 2087 8444, online at www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk or in person. Tickets for the Rosenblatt Recital Song Prize and Master Classes can also be purchased from the New Theatre, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3LN. Tel: +44 (0) 29 2087 8889 or online. www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk. |
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Sunday, March 15, 2009 |
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