IFAC Australian Singing Competition Finals

Five finalists will compete in the finals of the IFAC Australian Singing Competition next week, performing with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra conducted by Johannes Fritzsch (currently conducting Salome), on the stage of the opera theatre. Guy Noble will host the evening.

The finalists are 22 year old tenor Thomas Atkins from New Zealand, mezzo-sopranos Charlotte Betts-Dean 22, from Victoria, and Anna Dowsley 25,  from New South Wales, bass baritone Jeremy Kleeman 21, from Victoria, and 25 year old soprano Tabatha McFadyen from Queensland.

The ASC incorporates the Mathy Award, first awarded to Rachelle Durkin in 2000. Other winners include Paul Whelan (bass-baritone), Stuart Skelton (tenor), and Amelia Farrugia (soprano).

In addition to the Mathy Award are a raft of other awards including opportunities to perform on radio, to study at the Guildhall School of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, the Mozart Institute in Salzburg, as well as Master Classes, CDs and the chance to sing with professional ensembles.

To make it to the final, the contestants will have had to satisfy the adjudicators with their ability to perform a comprehensive range of styles from Baroque music to Art Song, international opera to works for voice and orchestra. Three languages must be represented and the candidates must also demonstrate ‘the right stuff’ in regard to personality, potential and a study plan.

Baritone Jeffrey Black who won the competition in 1983 sits on the other side of the adjudicators’ table as national adjudicator heading a panel comprising Anthony Legge, Dobbs Franks, Michael Halliwell, Conal Coad, Yoshinobu Kurabayashi and Huw Humphreys.

Soprano Nicole Car 2012 Opera Awards winner and who sang the role of Leila in The Pearlfishers this year will perform as guest artist.

The competition will be broadcast live on ABC Classic FM 92.9

Watch Emma Moore and Rachel Bate winners of the 2011 and 2011 Marianne Mathy Scholarships:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7L4EgCArN4&feature=share&list=PLitZfdUIu5AmkCZfZvhktUoC4IYGeqLGv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5TSX4XkvA4&feature=share&list=PLitZfdUIu5AmkCZfZvhktUoC4IYGeqLGv

Tickets from $45 (Booking fees may apply).

Visit: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/whatson/aust_singing_competition_2012.aspx