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Opera singers from across the globe have been selected to compete in this year's ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Cardiff Singer of the World. The names and nationalities of the 20 successful competitors were announced today (Thursday 3 March) at the Commonwealth Club, London.

This year's competitors, who will perform in Cardiff from Sunday 12 June to Sunday 19 June 2011, will have the added distinction of performing in front of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, the internationally renowned singer, who takes up her role as patron of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Cardiff Singer of the World for the first time.

A strong supporter and mentor to a new generation of singers, as founder of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation and the founding artistic director of the Solti Te Kanawa Accademia di Bel Canto, she will now be passing on her invaluable experiences for the first time as a jury member and patron.

From Baku to Brussels and San Francisco to Shanghai, auditions have taken place across the world, seeking 20 outstanding singers to take part in ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Cardiff Singer of the World. Six hundred opera and concert singers at the start of their careers auditioned for a place in the competition, hoping the prestige and exposure to large audiences, both in Cardiff and across the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's television, radio and online services, will give a unique boost to their careers.

The winner will receive £15,000 and the Cardiff Trophy. All the singers are also eligible to take part in the Song Prize competition which carries a £5,000 prize and a trophy. The Song Prize winner is also eligible to join ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 3's New Generation Artists Scheme.

An important and significant date in the classical music diary, Adrian Davies, Acting Head of Programmes, English Language, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Cymru Wales, explains why the competition is a highlight for those watching live in St David’s Hall in Cardiff and for viewers at home: "The inspirational ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Cardiff Singer of the World is one of the unique opportunities given to young singers at the start of their careers. Visiting Wales and having the opportunity to share the stage with prestigious orchestras and conductors that have a vast amount of knowledge and experience, is a unique opportunity that will truly raise their profile on an international level.

"By performing in this world-renowned competition, they have the opportunity to be heard on a variety of platforms, from television, radio and online. ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Cymru Wales will guide the viewers through each round, with comprehensive analysis from expert guests."

Each competitor will perform their choice of opera and concert repertoire in front of a distinguished jury and enthusiastic audience at St David's Hall. They also have the option of entering the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Cardiff Singer of the World Song Prize in recitals of Lieder and Art Song at the New Theatre, Cardiff, with the final at St David's Hall.

Established in 1983 by ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Cymru Wales, past winners of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Cardiff Singer of the World include Karita Mattila, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, and the 2009 winner Ekaterina Scherbachenko.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Cardiff Singer of the World is organised by ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Cymru Wales in association with Welsh National Opera and supported by the City and Council of Cardiff.

A booking form to download, and details about ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Cardiff Singer of the World, can be found at .

CM5