Cardiff Singer of the World 2021

[Ein Heldenleben]

I wouldn't have wanted the job of choosing one over another given the radically different styles of the competitors but I thought the Giordano was so movingly and magnificently sung following on from the best Tannhauser performance of the week that it was almost inevitable that the baritone would win. In their different ways they were a splendid group of singers.

The Giordano was indeed very well sung. But was it performed as an operatic aria ? I know it’s asking a lot but compare it with Lukic in the recent ROH performances. He inhabits the role ...but then he has many many years of stage experience. Only Natalia really produced that last might...

[Rolmill]

Where i disagree is that I would definitely pay to see Matabane Cecilia - I thought she was outstanding last night.

Agreed - I had her just ahead of the baritone and the Georgian mezzo, but it was very close so I wasn't surprised at the result and felt that any of those three could justifiably have won. Though, pace your earlier comment, I thought Matabane Cecilia did a lot more than just sing, I found her Verdi involving and moving. To me, what gave her the edge over very strong competition, though, was her spectacular voice.

I also agree about the gush, which seemed worse in the final, especially from the guest commentators (who provided several potential entries for Private Eye's Pseuds Corner ).

[Ein Heldenleben]

Agreed - I had her just ahead of the baritone and the Georgian mezzo, but it was very close so I wasn't surprised at the result and felt that any of those three could justifiably have won. Though, pace your earlier comment, I thought Matabane Cecilia did a lot more than just sing, I found her Verdi involving and moving. To me, what gave her the edge over very strong competition, though, was her spectacular voice.

I also agree about the gush, which seemed worse in the final, especially from the guest commentators (who provided several potential entries for Private Eye's Pseuds Corner ).

Yes you’re right - I think Matabane did sing and act the Verdi well ..maybe even sang better than the winner . She did the Strauss beautifully but, oh dear , the violin solo. Such a shame because the other night the leader of the other orchestra played a superb gypsy cszardas in Gansch’s Lehar.

[Rolmill]

...oh dear , the violin solo. Such a shame because the other night the leader of the other orchestra played a superb gypsy cszardas in Gansch’s Lehar.

Indeed, the violin solo was less than seductive, surprisingly so from a player of Lesley Hatfield's quality and experience.

I was struck also by the difference in the conductors; whereas i didn't recognise the criticisms of other forumites of Michael Christie's efforts in the heats, I have to admit that I felt Andrew Litton provided the more supportive and energised accompaniments in the final.

[Bella Kemp]

I wish we lived in that alternate universe where Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha is now front page News in the Sunday papers. Jessye Norman must be looking down and smiling and possibly whispering, 'Go it, girl!'

[mikealdren]

The gushing commentators were a problem. As in previous competitions, Mary King was far superior in an earlier round, knowledgeable enough to offer constructive criticism. What on earth was on the printed notes that Dame Sarah Connolly kept looking at during the song prize discussion?

I was also amazed that the English Mezzo, Claire Barnett-Jones, won the audience prize against such competition. A sympathy vote for the underdog?

[LHC]

The gushing commentators were a problem. As in previous competitions, Mary King was far superior in an earlier round, knowledgeable enough to offer constructive criticism. What on earth was on the printed notes that Dame Sarah Connolly kept looking at during the song prize discussion?

I was also amazed that the English Mezzo, Claire Barnett-Jones, won the audience prize against such competition. A sympathy vote for the underdog?

If you check previous winners of the audience prize, more often than not it goes to the English competitor. In this case she had additional sympathy from being a last minute replacement in the competition. It just goes to show that public votes for competitions such as this are not an accurate gauge of quality.

[Beresford]

On the Song Prize, I caught up with the final last night on the "International" website.

Very enjoyable, but listening again to Alfeiour Guomundsdottir, the Icelandic singer who was required to withdraw by Test & Trace, I found her performance in that early round more compelling than the finalists, in terms of story telling, which is important in Leider, and she has a very clear voice. I hope she is allowed to enter again next time.
In comparison the Main Prize finalists, when heard in the Song Prize, sounded a bit overblown some of the time. The baritone and Cecilia both have beautiful voices, but in the Schubert song Cecilia delivered a lovely resonance in the high passages, whereas I suspect a slightly strained sound would more reflect the emotion of the words.