Sydney Opera House to host prestigious Singing Competition, October

 The International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC) will present the 30th annual Australian Singing Competition Finals at the Sydney Opera house this October. 

 The International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC) will present the 30th annual Australian Singing Competition Finals at the Sydney Opera house this October.   After months of auditions, five finalists have been whittled down from scores of applicants in both Australia and NZ to compete in what has been described as Australia’s richest and most prestigious competition for opera and classical singing in Australia on October 30, 2011.  The competition, which is open to Australian and New Zealand residents under 26 years of age, has showcased 2500 singers over it’s 30 year history and past winners include Amelia Farrugia, Rachelle Durkin and Stuart Skelton.  This year, the five finalists (pictured) are: Front row: Soprano Bryony Williams (22) from New ZealandSoprano Emma Moore (23) from NSW 2nd Row:Baritone Morgan Pearse (22) from NSWTenor Gerard Schneider (23) from WA Back row:Soprano Naomi Johns (25) from NSW
This year’s prize pool is valued at over $220,000 and the five finalists will sing to win at the on the Opera House’s Concert Hall stage, accompanied by the Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra conducted by Benjamin Northey (courtesy Opera Australia) with in an evening compered by Opera Australia’s new Artistic Director, Lyndon Terracini.   Over the course of the competition, each singer has been required to prepare repertoire in at least 3 different languages in several categories. These categories include works by a classical or baroque composer, songs for voice and piano from 19th century repertoire to present day, works from international operatic repertoire and a piece written with orchestral accompaniment (e.g. from a song cycle, oratorio, cantata, mass). The five finalists also participated in a public Masterclass on Thursday 8 September conducted by Bernadette Cullen, widely regarded as one of Australia’s foremost mezzo sopranos.
Details: 5.30pm Sunday 30 OctoberConcert Hall, Sydney Opera House Tickets:        From $40Bookings:     www.sydneyoperahouse.com or 02 9250 7777Information: www.aussing.org.au or  www.mostlyopera.org.au