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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Cardiff Singer of the World 2007: search is on for opera's brightest young stars
The worldwide search is on for opera's rising stars to compete for the coveted title of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Cardiff Singer of the World 2007 and a Β£15,000 prize.
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Young singers from every continent are now taking part in auditions in the hope of being selected to represent their country in the world's most prestigious singing competition.
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Cardiff Singer of the World is organised by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Cymru Wales in association with Welsh National Opera and the City and County of Cardiff.
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The competition's musical adviser, Julian Smith, is travelling the globe to hold auditions - enabling singers from every continent to stake their claim for operatic stardom.
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The 25 finalists will travel to Cardiff early next summer to sing at the National Concert Hall of Wales, St David's Hall, before a panel of distinguished jurors and equally discerning audiences.
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Julian Smith said: "Over 600 aspiring singers will be hoping to be selected to take part in the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Cardiff Singer of the World. Auditions will take place in venues ranging from Rio to St Petersburg and from Toronto to Melbourne.
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"Those singers selected will have to demonstrate high levels of vocal talent, musicianship and communication skills."
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The series of concerts to find the 2007 recipient of opera's greatest singing title will be held between Saturday 9 June and Sunday 17 June.
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The winner will follow in the footsteps of such operatic stars as Karita Mattila (Finland, 1983), Katarina KarnΓ©us (Sweden, 1995), Dmitri Hvorostovsky (Russia, 1989), Lisa Gasteen (1991 winner) and the winner of the inaugural Lieder Prize in 1989, Wales' Bryn Terfel.
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The 2005 winner of the biennial competition, American Nicole Cabell, has shot to international stardom. The lyric soprano has signed an exclusive recording contract with Decca, with her first solo recital album scheduled for release in 2007.
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In August 2006 Nicole made her Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Proms debut in Britten's Les illuminations and in September came her Royal Opera House dΓ©but at the Barbican as Princesse Eudoxie in a concert performance of HalΓ©vy's La Juive.
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The 2007 winner will receive Β£15,000, which is an increase in prize money of Β£5,000. The reward for each of the four other finalists has been increased by Β£500 to Β£2,500.
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This has been made possible thanks to new sponsorship from the Richard Lewis Trust. Μύ
In addition, the winner may also be offered high-profile engagements with both the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and Welsh National Opera.
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The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by John Nelson, and Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, conducted by Carlo Rizzi, will accompany the competitors in the preliminary round concerts.
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The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ National Orchestra of Wales will accompany competitors in the final.
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Cardiff Singer of the World Rosenblatt Recital Song Prize
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The 25 contestants are also eligible to compete for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Cardiff Singer of the World Rosenblatt Recital Song Prize.
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This competition takes the form of a series of four preliminary round concerts at the New Theatre, Cardiff, and a final at St David's Hall.
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The winner will receive a prize of Β£5,000. In addition, they may be offered a recital as part of the prestigious Rosenblatt Recital Series at St John's Smith Square, London, and may be selected to be one of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3's New Generation Artists.
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The accompanists will be Llyr Williams, Simon Lepper and Phillip Thomas.
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Masterclasses will also be held during the competition, led by operatic legends such as Renata Scotto, Brigitte Fassbaender and Siegfried Jerusalem, on Saturday 16 June.
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The St David's Hall, TV, radio and online audience will again be able to have their say with the Audience Prize, sponsored by Visit Wales.
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Booking details
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Postal booking forms are now available for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Cardiff Singer of the World season tickets and the Rosenblatt Recital Song Prize Final at St David's Hall and Rosenblatt Recital Song Prize season tickets, which include the four preliminary round concerts at the New Theatre and Final at St David's Hall.
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Tickets can also be purchased for the Masterclasses at the New Theatre on Saturday 16 June.
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Booking forms are available from St David's Hall Box Office on 029 2087 8444 or online at bbc.co.uk/cardiffsinger.
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On 24 February 2007 bookings open for all tickets, including individual concert tickets for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Cardiff Singer of the World and the Rosenblatt Recital Series Song Prize.
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Bookings can be made in person or by post to St David's Hall, The Hayes, Cardiff, CF10 1SH; by calling 029 2087 8444; and online at stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk from February 24, 2007.
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A booking form can also be downloaded from bbc.co.uk/cardiffsinger.
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Notes to Editors
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The competition's musical adviser, Julian Smith, is available for interview about his worldwide search for opera's rising stars.
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The names of the 25 contestants, the countries they represent and the judging panels for the two competitions will be announced early in 2007 when the competition is officially launched. Μύ
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Wales Press Office
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