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³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 2 today launches a nationwide hunt with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to find an opera star of the future.

The Radio 2 Kiri Prize is a new initiative offering one winner a unique opportunity to sing with Dame Kiri at Radio 2's Proms In The Park event later this year, and the chance to attend a three-week residential course at the Solti Te Kanawa Accademia in Italy.

The Radio 2 Kiri Prize is part of The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ â€“ A Passion For Opera, which features a wealth of newly-commissioned films, documentary and performance broadcast across µþµþ°äÌý°Õ·É´Ç, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Four ²¹²Ô»åÌý³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 3 in 2010.

Dame Kiri will judge this search for talent, alongside other leading lights from the world of music including renowned conductor Robin Stapleton.

Dame Kiri says: "I have a passion for finding new opera talent, so I'm thrilled to be involved in such an exciting project."

Lewis Carnie, Head of Programmes, Radio 2, says: "I'm delighted that Radio 2 is offering one gifted musician the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work, and perform with one of opera's living legends – Dame Kiri Te Kanawa."

Singers are invited to enter by sending a recording on CD of themselves singing one opera aria to Radio 2.

Regional auditions will take place around the country in March, followed by 10 masterclasses taking place in five city locations with Dame Kiri in the spring.  

Fifteen semi-finalists will be invited to perform on five special Friday Night Is Music Night programmes, Radio 2's flagship live music programme, accompanied by the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Concert Orchestra, in the summer.

Five performers will then be selected to go through to the final which will be broadcast on Radio 2 on Friday 3 September 2010.

The winner will perform with Dame Kiri in front of an audience of thousands at Radio 2's Proms In The Park event in September.

Full information on how to enter can be found at bbc.co.uk/radio2.

Radio 2 Publicity