Cardiff Singer of the World, 2017/R3 & BBC4

[Stanley Stewart]

Several diary dates for R3 and BBC 4 coverage of the Cardiff Singer of the World competion next week.

R3, daily broadcasts from 13.00-14.00hrs, (Tues, 13 - Fri,16 June;
the Finals will also be relayed, R3, at 19,30- 22.00hrs on 16 June

TV coverage, presented by Petroc Trelawny and American soprano, Angel Blue, sic.
will present daily highlights on BBC 4, from Tuesday, 13 June-16 June 19.30 - 21,00hrs.

In the meantime, I've used a few dreich days to revisit a 2003 two DVD set, Opus Arts, 20 Years -Singer of the World which includes celebrated performances by early winners, 1983 Karita Mattila, 1987, Valeria Esposito, 1989, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, 1995, Katarina Karneus, 1999, Ania Harteros.

Instant memories of 1989, 'The Battle of the Baritones' - a dramatic stand-off between Terfel & Hvorostovsky, Bryn won the Lieder Prize but Dmitri took top honours and was immediately booked for a Wigmore Hall recital by Wiggie manager, Wm Lyne, Bryn followed suit at St John's, Smith Square - I managed to get tickets for both recitals in the instant scramble for seats. Terfel had the merit of warmth and much promise as a natural communicator. Hvorostovsky also scored on the platform with an air of hauteur which reminded me of pianist,
Ivo Pogorelic, in his Chopin recital at the RFH. Apparently, at the conclusion of the interval, Hvorostovsky insisted that an annoucement be made that he was ready to resume the recital! You could hear the ripple of amusement and sotto voce comments of 'fancy that' throughout the Hall.

[Richard Tarleton]

In the meantime, I've used a few dreich days to revisit a 2003 two DVD set, Opus Arts, 20 Years -Singer of the World which includes celebrated performances by early winners, 1983 Karita Mattila, 1987, Valeria Esposito, 1989, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, 1995, Katarina Karneus, 1999, Ania Harteros.

The exciteable Ailish Tynan currently revisiting some past performances on R3......

I picked out the lovely Katerina Karnéus in an early round, and have seen her in several WNO productions since (Clemenza di Tito, Rosenkavalier, Orfeo et Euridice - Berlioz version). I do like winners who keep faith with Cardiff in this way (Guang Yang was another). Anya Harteros didn't turn up when I was supposed to see her at the ROH, she's on my no-show roll of dishonour along with numerous others, though I picked her out too in the competition largely through her rendition of Ebben? Ne andrò lontana.......

[Pulcinella]

The exciteable Ailish Tynan currently revisiting some past performances on R3......

I loved her Bella/Jack anecdote.
But switching off now: the dreaded KD is about to 'present'.........
The new BBC MM Alpine Symphony is getting a spin instead.

[pastoralguy]

The competition is being trailed a lot on BBC TV just now here in Scotland. Does anyone know what the work being sung is? It sounds like it may be one of Strauss' Orchestral songs.

[Beresford]

The main (not song) competition is also to be found on BBC Radio Wales at 2100 each evening this week. Hearty Welsh presenters, speaking English, - but they are singers!

[Stanley Stewart]

A pleasing start on BBC 4, tonight, which set the stage so well with a splendid audio recording and the warmth of the audience which must also be a comfort for the participants as they step on to the platform. My only caveat is the post-performance interview sequences which make me cringe.

I also note that the finals, song prize and singer prize are to be spread across two evenings on BBC 4, Sat, 17 June and Sunday 18 June; 19.30- 21.00hrs, Sat, and 1930-22.00hrs, Sunday, allowing an extra hour for the operatic pickings. Summer has arrived at last

[makropulos]

A pleasing start on BBC 4, tonight, which set the stage so well with a splendid audio recording and the warmth of the audience which must also be a comfort for the participants as they step on to the platform. My only caveat is the post-performance interview sequences which make me cringe.

I also note that the finals, song prize and singer prize are to be spread across two evenings on BBC 4, Sat, 17 June and Sunday 18 June; 19.30- 21.00hrs, Sat, and 1930-22.00hrs, Sunday, allowing an extra hour for the operatic pickings. Summer has arrived at last

Warmly agree with all of that. It was a most enjoyable start to the competition. A very worthy winner of the round as well, I thought. By the way, spoiler alert: forum members may want to avoid looking at Lebrecht's blog for the next few days - he's publishing the results ahead of the broadcasts (which were pre-recorded a few days ago).

[Pulcinella]

My only caveat is the post-performance interview sequences which make me cringe.

Indeed, but let's be grateful that a certain other presenter is currently preoccupied with learning to tango and telling us all about it in trailers (oh; that was last week, but it has become an earworm!); just imagine if she had been getting her tongue around all those foreign names.


(PS: One for Pedants' Paradise, perhaps, Stanley, but I suspect that you left a comma out, and that ALL the sequences made you cringe!)

[gurnemanz]

My only caveat is the post-performance interview sequences which make me cringe.

We watched a recording of it having been out earlier in the evening. The fast forward button solves this problem.

[Lat-Literal]

Very many congratulations to the joint winners yesterday. AG's performance of Sharav's "Tal Nutag : Steppes of Mongolia" was so moving. Thought It sounded like a Joji Hirota arrangement, hence wonderful. I ought to make the effort to get his name right as clearly a new star is born - Ariunbaatar Ganbaatar - plus he is in the main final on Sunday!

Brief clip at 21.27-22.27:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08vf9g5/bbc-cardiff-singer-of-the-world-2017-song-prize-final-highlights#group=b007qn4b

(possibly the best thing musically I have heard all year so could we have a full clip of it on the BBC website please?)

[pastoralguy]

Anyone watching?

Very good performances. I think the girl with the green dress will win.

[pastoralguy]

Wow! Joint winners!

Fantastic.

[Pianorak]

Thoroughly enjoyable. I would have picked Louise Alder and Catriona Morison as joint winners.

[pastoralguy]

Thoroughly enjoyable. I would have picked Louise Alder and Catriona Morison as joint winners.

Yes. I agree. Mind you, they were all pretty good.

[Stanley Stewart]

Indeed, an absorbing evening as well as a vital antidote and 'balm of hurt minds' over the past few weeks! I've just checked to ensure that I've safely recorded the programmes to HD since the opening performance on Tuesday. Cardiff and its listening audiences bring a civilised veneer which is well captured by the techie crew; a joy to watch each performer sensing their platform space as they gradually relax into the technique of communication as the camera reflects their thought processes; so well sustained until the music stops. Lots of small pleasures over the past five evenings. An outstanding year.