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BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2009: Five contestants  announced as Song Prize Finalists (MS)

 L-R Yuriy Mynenko, Javier Arrey, Jan Martinik,  Tomislav Lučić and  Natalya Romaniw

The five artists named  today (Wednesday 10th June)  to take part in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Song Prize final at St David’s Hall, Cardiff on Friday June 12th are:

Javier Arrey, aged 27, baritone, from Chile
Tomislav Lučić, aged 31, bass, from Croatia
Jan Martinik, aged 26, bass, Czech Republic
Yuriy Mynenko, aged 30, counter-tenor, Ukraine
Natalya Romaniw, aged 22, soprano, Wales

Chairman of the panel of international judges John Fisher made the announcement after the panel of judges had heard the 20 singers who took part in four recitals over the last four days.

Mr Fisher, chief executive and artistic director of Welsh National Opera, said the judges had heard wonderful singing this week. He said it was “exhilarating and stimulating to hear young singers in such a demanding art form.”

Judging the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Song Prize were Adam Gatehouse, Editor Live Music BBC Radio 3, John Fisher, Kurt Moll, Ann Murray and accompanist and lieder specialist Helmut Deutsch. The Song Prize jury is chaired by John Fisher. The official accompanists were Phillip Thomas, Simon Lepper and Llŷr Williams.

Each of the 25 singers competing for the title BBC Cardiff Singer of the World were eligible to enter the separate 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.

On Thursday evening Mr Fisher will also announce the names of the artists who have been selected for the finalists of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World with its £15,000 prize, which is provided by the City and County of Cardiff. The final takes place at St David’s Hall on Sunday, June 14th.

Both competitions are organised by BBC Wales andare receiving extensive coverage across the networks including BBC Cymru Wales, Radio 3, BBC TWO and BBC Four and online. For full details see: www.bbc.co.uk/wales/cardiffsinger/.

Mike Smith

Picture © Brian Tarr

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