Continuation of the audience prize.


Visit Wales, the tourism team of the Welsh Assembly Government, is to sponsor the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Audience Prize for a third successive competition.

The idea to sponsor an audience prize was very well received when introduced in 2003 by the then Wales Tourist Board and Chilean soprano, Angela Marambio, was was the first winner. The prize is for the most popular singer voted for by members of the audience at St David's Hall, Cardiff together with the TV, radio and online audiences at the end of the five preliminary rounds.

The popular award attracts thousands of votes from around the world, giving watchers and listeners the chance to select their choice. The result of the poll will be announced on the day of the competition final, Sunday, 17 June.

Andrew Davies, Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks, said of the continued support for the award, “The Welsh Assembly Government is proud to back Visit Wales’ sponsorship of this world-class event and knows that our country’s prestige throughout the world is enhanced by this competition. Sponsorship of this (Audience) prize is recognition of the fact that music is very much a part of people’s lives in Wales and that it is popular.'

 

New sponsorship for finalists in memory of Richard Lewis.

 

Richard Lewis as Don Ottavio at Glyndebourne

The memory of the distinguished tenor Richard Lewis will live on with a new award for young singers at the start of their careers. Young singers competing in BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2007, will benefit from substantial sponsorship from the Richard Lewis/Jean Shanks Trust.

In addition to the £15,000 prize received by the Competition’s winner, the four other finalists will now each receive £2,500. This has been made possible thanks to new sponsorship from the Trust, created in memory of the internationally distinguished singer.

Mrs Elizabeth Muir-Lewis said, “Several logical things inspired our Trust to sponsor BBC Cardiff Singer of the World in memory of my husband Richard Lewis. He was a Welshman, born in Manchester; an internationally distinguished singer and he loved the competition for all it does for the world of singing, held in a country close to his roots and heart. As a singer of international renown his name can only add lustre to what is already extraordinary.

“Our Trust gives vital financial support to the finalists in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, while at the same time the artistry and voice of Richard Lewis lives on. I cannot think of a better place for his name to resonate in and I am sure he would have been absolutely delighted.”

The Trust’s ongoing sponsorship of the biennial singing event will increase for each competition.

When Richard Lewis died in 1990 his widow Elizabeth set about raising money to find an award in his name. She met the distinguished pathologist Dr Jean Shanks, a lover of music who wished to endow some special causes in pathology and music. As an admirer of Richard Lewis, Dr Shanks agreed to support Elizabeth’s fund and a charity was formed to be known as the Richard Lewis/ Jean Shanks Trust.

In 1993 the Trust founded an award at Glyndebourne for a singer to have further studies at The London Opera Centre. In 2002 the Trust founded a competition at The Royal Academy of Music for post graduate students (1st prize £10,000, 2nd prize £5,000), now in its successful fifth year.

Dr Shanks died in 2001. In her will she left a generous legacy to the Trust, enabling it to support the John Christie Award at Glyndebourne, sponsor the understudy department at Glyndebourne and now the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World.

Bill Kenny

BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2007 runs from Saturday, June 9 to Sunday, June17.

The Main Prize ompetition is at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, from Sunday, June 10 to Thursday, June 14 with the final on Sunday, June 17.

The Rosenblatt Recital Song Prize runs alongside the Main Competition with concerts at the New Theatre, Cardiff from Saturday, June 9 to Tuesday, June 12 with a final at St David’s Hall on Friday, June 15.

There are also Master Classes at the New Theatre, Cardiff on Saturday, June 16.

Booking information: Booking opens on February 24.All tickets can be purchased in person or by telephone either from St David's Hall box office (Tel. 029 20 87 8444) or New Theatre box office (Tel. 029 2087 8889).

Tickets for BBC Cardiff Singer for the World concerts and final at St David’s Hall and the final of the Rosenblatt Recital Song prize at St David’s Hall can also be bought online by visiting www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk.

Tickets for the Rosenblatt Recital Song Prize preliminary concerts and Master Classes at the New Theatre can be bought online by visiting www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk.

A Booking Form can also be downloaded from www. bbc.co.uk/cardiffsinger