Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Soprano Hannah Bradbury from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, has been selected as one of the five finalists of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2 Kiri Prize – Radio 2's nationwide search with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to find an opera star of the future.

Hannah secured her place in the final with outstanding performances of Deh Vieni Non Tardar from Mozart's Marriage Of Figaro and Ah Je Ris from Gounod's Faust, accompanied by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra, in a semi-final concert held at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Television Centre in London.

Her performance was judged by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, mezzo-soprano Anne Howells, renowned conductor Robin Stapleton and director John Cox and can be heard tonight – 13 August – between 8-10pm in Radio 2's flagship live music programme, Friday Night Is Music Night, presented by Penny Smith.

This is the third of five semi-final concerts, each featuring three talented singers performing for a place in the final. These concerts are broadcast over five weeks on Radio 2 from 30 July to 27 August.

Hannah will join Cardiff-based soprano Gwawr Edwards and tenor Alexander Grove from Congleton, Cheshire, and two other singers (to be announced) to go through to the final, which can be heard on Radio 2 on Friday 3 September between 8-10pm.

The winner will perform with Dame Kiri at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Proms In The Park in London's Hyde Park on Saturday 11 September and be given the opportunity to attend a three-week residential course at the Solti Te Kanawa Accademia, in Italy.

Hannah says: "The Radio 2 Kiri Prize has been the most wonderful experience for me. Initially, on hearing about the initiative, I felt that it was a great opportunity to attempt to gain some valuable experience if I was fortunate enough to be offered a regional audition.

"Throughout each stage of the initiative, I have been privileged to have received expert guidance and encouragement from world renowned performers and artists such as Anne Howells, Robin Stapleton and, of course, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, for which I am extremely grateful. As a semi-finalist, I did not even dare to dream of becoming a finalist as my main focus at that stage was to enjoy the privilege of performing alongside the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra in a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"I am now so excited for the final but, most of all, I am just so thrilled to be part of this initiative and I am loving every minute of it."

Hannah began her voice training at the Junior Royal Northern College of Music. She is a postgraduate on the Royal Academy Of Music's Preparatory Opera Course and her concert work includes Handel's Messiah and Carmina Burana.

The Radio 2 Kiri Prize is the highlight of Friday Night Is Music Night's summer season of programmes and further demonstrates Radio 2's commitment to supporting talent across a wide range of genres. It launched in January 2010 and, following regional auditions, 40 singers were invited to attend masterclasses in London with Dame Kiri, Anne Howells and Robin Stapleton.

SH3