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Glasgow-based soprano, Shuna Scott Sendall, has been selected as one of the five finalists of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 2 Kiri Prize – Radio 2's nationwide search with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to find an opera star of the future.

Shuna secured her place in the final with outstanding performances of Dich Teure Halle from Wagner's Tannhauser and Vissi D'arte from Puccini's Tosca accompanied by the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Concert Orchestra in a semi-final concert at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Television Centre in London.

Her performance was judged by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, mezzo-soprano Anne Howells, renowned conductor Robin Stapleton and director b and can be heard tonight – 20 August 2010 – between 8-10pm in Radio 2's flagship live music programme Friday Night Is Music Night introduced by Penny Smith.

This is the fourth of five semi-final concerts, each featuring three talented young singers performing for a place in the final. These concerts are broadcast over five weeks on Radio 2 from 30 July to 27 August.

Shuna will join Cardiff-based soprano Gwawr Edwards; tenor Alexander Grove from Congleton, Cheshire; soprano Hannah Bradbury from Staffordshire and another singer (to be announced) in the final, which can be heard on Radio 2 on Friday 3 September between 8-10pm, presented by Penny Smith.

The winner of the Radio 2 Kiri Prize will perform with Dame Kiri at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Proms In The Park in London's Hyde Park on Saturday 11 September and be given the opportunity to attend a three-week residential course at the Solti Te Kanawa Accademia in Italy.

Shuna says: "Being part of the Radio 2 Kiri Prize has been a truly thrilling and 'once in a lifetime' experience. Having the opportunity to learn from all these wonderful people is invaluable and I feel incredibly excited and unbelievably fortunate to have got through to the final and to have the chance to perform again with the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Concert Orchestra!"

Following training at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Shuna graduated from the Alexander Gibson Opera School. Her work with the Scottish Opera includes roles in Madame Butterfly and Carmen.

The Radio 2 Kiri Prize is the highlight of Friday Night Is Music Night's summer season of programmes and further demonstrates Radio 2's commitment to supporting talent across a wide range of genres. It launched in January 2010 and, following regional auditions, 40 singers were invited to attend masterclasses in London with Dame Kiri, Anne Howells and Robin Stapleton.

SH3