Five superb young singers
Chosen to compete in the Finals Concert
Sydney Opera House
25 October 2012
With Guest Artist Nicole Car - 2012 Opera Awards Winner
Last
night, Wednesday 10 October at the Independent Theatre, North Sydney, ten
outstanding young opera and classical singers all aged under 26 years sang
their hearts out to be chosen as one of five finalists who will compete in this
year’s IFAC Australian Singing Competition – the richest competition for opera
and classical singers in Australasia.
The
finalists include 25 year old Mezzo Soprano Anna Dowsley from NSW; 21
year old Bass Baritone Jeremy Kleeman and 22 Mezzo Soprano Charlotte
Betts-Dean from Victoria; 22 year old Soprano Tabatha McFadyen from
Queensland and 22 year old Tenor, Thomas Atkins from New Zealand.
The five finalists will compete in the Finals
Concert to be held at Sydney Opera House on THURSDAY 25 October
accompanied by the Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra to be conducted by Johannes
Fritzsch with Guy Noble as Compere.
Scores
of young singers from Australasia auditioned. The ten semi-finalists
performed in front of a packed audience at the Independent Theatre and were
judged by National Adjudicator Jeffrey Black who was joined by Peter
Czornyj, Director of Artistic Planning, Sydney
Symphony; Anthony Legge, Associate Music Director of Opera
Australia and Michael Halliwell, Associate Professor of Vocal Studies
& Opera at Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Celebrating
its 31st year the ASC has showcased 2,600 singers since 1982 who have competed
for more than $2.8 million in prizes. In 2012 the ASC prize pool is
valued at over $220,000. After winning the Australian Singing Competition,
singers such as Rachelle Durkin, Amelia Farrugia, Stuart Skelton and Paul
Whelan have all gone on to achieve national and international acclaim.
IFAC AUSTRALIAN SINGING COMPETITION FINALS CONCERT
Thursday
25 October 7pm
Concert
Hall, Sydney Opera House