Prestigious! Australian Singing Competition announces 2013 semi-finalists

It’s a far cry from The Voice!

The IFAC Australian Singing Competition (ASC) is Australasia’s richest, and most prestigious, singing competition. It aims to identify and encourage young talented classical singers, and it’s just announced its ten semi-finalists for this year’s competition.

The competition, which is open to classical and opera singers under the age of 26, offers a number of career-building awards and opportunities (valued at more than $170,000) to its participants.

Singers auditioned during heats held in Australia and New Zealand under the watchful eye of the 2013 National Adjudicator, acclaimed soprano Emma Matthews.  The ten semi-finalists will now perform in the Semi-Finals Concert on 11 September in Sydney. From there, five finalists will battle it out at the Finals Concert on 28 September, where a winner will be named.

The ten semi-finalists are:  Bianca Andrew (Mezzo Soprano, New Zealand);  Anastasia Bickel (Tasmania, Mezzo Soprano); Hannah Dahlenburg (Victoria, Soprano);  Alexander Knight (New South Wales, Baritone); Edward Laurenson (New Zealand, Baritone); Jade Moffat (Queensland, Mezzo Soprano); Brenton Spiteri (Victoria, Tenor); Janet Todd (Victoria, Soprano); Danita Weatherstone (New South Wales, Soprano); and Carmen Young (New South Wales, Soprano).

Now in its 32^nd year, the ASC has showcased nearly 3,000 singers who have competed for more than $2.6 million in prizes. Renowned singers such as Rachelle Durkin, Amelia Farrugia, Stuart Skelton, and Paul Whelan have won the competition in previous years.

There won’t be any dramatic chair-swinging, but if you want to hear some of the best voices under 30, you can book tickets to the Semi-Finals and Finals concerts by visiting www.theindependent.org.au or calling 1300 302 604.

For more information, visit www.aussing.org.au