The Festival of Voice Competition Finale has been filmed for the first time this year. Watch behind-the-scenes footage of the five finalists in the preparations for the recital as they work on their arias, ensemble pieces and Irish songs. This 40 minute film will also feature highlights from the concert which was recorded live in front of a small audience in First Church Belfast on August 30th.
Five opera singers between the ages of 21 and 35 were selected from applications from across the island of Ireland and the concert was the first time opera has returned live to Belfast since before the lockdown. This year’s finalists were David Corr (baritone), David Howes (bass baritone), Andrew Irwin (tenor), Sarah Luttrell (mezzo-soprano) and Jade Phoenix (soprano). The winner is awarded a monetary prize and the chance to attend Canto al Serchio in Tuscany, run by Belfast-born international baritone, Bruno Caproni, one of Northern Ireland’s most successful opera stars.
We also welcomed our two accompanists, Frasier Hickland and Fionnuala Ward, both of whom have previously been Peter Rankin Piano Interns at the Festival of Voice and who accompanied the singers throughout the finale. The winner of the Deborah Voigt Opera Prize and the Northern Ireland Opera Voice of 2020 was David Corr and the winner of the Audience Prize was Andrew Irwin. Our coaches and jury comprised Kathryn Harries OBE, Dr Ingrid Surgenor MBE, Professor Simon Lepper and Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle CBE.
View our gallery (click into the image below) for some photos of this wonderful event and join us on or from September 13th at 8 p.m. on our YouTube channel to watch our film.
For more details about our annual Festival of Voice click here.
O Lumiere Sainte, Les Pecheurs des Perles: David Howes, Jade Phoenix, Andrew Irwin
Image Gallery
