BBC Cardiff Singer of the World

Every two years, promising young vocalists gather in Wales’ capital city to take part in one of the world’s most prestigious singing competitions: the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. Past editions have helped launch the careers of some of the biggest stars in opera, including Karita Mattila, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, and Bryn Terfel. This broadcast features the 2021 edition of the renowned competition, showing the five finalists competing for the competition’s Song Prize. Host Petroc Trelawny and mezzosoprano Dame Sarah Connolly then evaluate the contestants’ performances. In this episode, the following young singers take the stage: soprano Christina Gansch (Austria), baritone Gihoon Kim (South Korea), soprano Sarah Gilford (Wales), baritone Michael Arivony (Madagascar), and soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha (South Africa). They are accompanied by either Simon Lepper or Llŷr Williams on piano. All performances were recorded at St David’s Hall in Cardiff, Wales.

Every two years, promising young vocalists gather in Wales’ capital city to take part in one of the world’s most prestigious singing competitions: the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. Past editions have helped launch the careers of some of the biggest stars in opera, including Karita Mattila, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, and Bryn Terfel. This broadcast features the 2021 edition of the renowned competition, showing the five finalists competing for the Main Prize. The show is presented by Josie d’Arby. Host Petroc Trelawny, along with mezzosoprano Alice Coote, and creative director of the English National Opera Annilese Miskimmon, then evaluate the contestants’ performances. In this episode, the following young singers take the stage: soprano Christina Gansch (Austria), baritone Gihoon Kim (South Korea), mezzosoprano Claire Barnett-Jones (England), soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha (South Africa), and mezzosoprano Natalia Kutateladze (Georgia). All participants are accompanied by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under the baton of American conductors Michael Christie and Andrew Litton, recorded at St David’s Hall in Cardiff, Wales.