May 14 2005
Karen Price,
Western Mail
MOVE over Fame Academy and X Factor - a televised masterclass for would-be opera stars is coming to town.
Some of the biggest names in opera will be putting the world's future top tenors, sparkling sopranos, brilliant baritones and magnificent mezzos through their paces in Wales this summer.
And while their comments might be just a little more tactful than those of Simon Cowell on ITV1's X Factor, the advice will be both honest and priceless.
This time round, the judges are legendary names who have established careers in the world's top opera houses.
They are coming to Wales next month as judges in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition.
But at the end of a week listening to all 25 singers from around the globe, the judges will be sharing their years of experience with selected contestants who have not made it through to the final five who will battle it out for the coveted title.
The judges, including the renowned Wagnerian Dame Anne Evans and the legendary Marilyn Horne, will hold their master classes in front of a live audience at the New Theatre, Cardiff, on June 18 at 11am and 3pm - the eve of the prestigious BBC Cardiff Singer of the World final.
The judges select aspiring young singers from those who have caught their eye (and ear) and whom they would like to work with in a master class, using only music the contestants have prepared for the competition.
While the young singers do not have to accept the offer of a master class in front of a live theatre audience, most jump at the chance to work with some of opera's biggest names.
Julian Smith, music adviser to the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition, said opera singers never stopped learning.
"Many distinguished singers still go back to their teachers regularly, despite the success they enjoy," he said.
"And singing teachers - and jury members of singing competitions - can be relied on to have different views on the unscientific business of singing.
"So the masterclasses involving the jury member and the rising young singer can release a heady brew, which sometimes generates huge excitement, as when a young singer suddenly has a window opened onto a new facet of singing technique.
"Add to that hothouse atmosphere, and the presence of an audience and a dramatic and enthralling occasion is created," he added.
Contestants in this year's competition are able to compete for two prizes: the main title and also the separate Song Prize.
The Song Prize has four concert rounds at the New Theatre from June 11 to 14, before the finalists vocally fight it out at what will this year be the first ever Song Prize grand final at St David's Hall on June 17.
By this stage all the rounds of the main title competition will also have been taken place at St David's Hall and the final five competitors named who will try to impress the discerning judges and win the BBC Cardiff Singer of the Year title.
That grand final takes place in St David's Hall on June 19.
So it is possible that if a singer has made it to the final of the Song Prize - but not the final of the main title - they could be spending June 18 on the receiving end of the judges' master class words of wisdom.
Master class tickets, priced at £5, are available from both the New Theatre on 029 2087 8889 and St David's Hall on 029 2087 8444.
