Listen to baritones from Cardiff Singer of the World Competition

 [WARNING: All three videos start simultaneously. We recommend putting two on pause. We couldn't figure out how to rectify this issue and hope it's not an inconvenience]

Dmitri Hvorostovsky hoisting his Cardiff trophy in 1989

The Cardiff Singer of the World competition is going on in Cardiff, Wales this week. Established in 1983, this biennial competition quickly became known throughout the classical world as the premier showcase for opera and concert singers at the start of their careers.

In the main competition, singers are required to demonstrate their prowess in the disciplines of opera or concert music. During the course of the competition, well over 100 pieces of music are performed - operatic arias, solo arias from sacred works and songs, all with full orchestral accompaniment.
Each competitor sings in one of the four preliminary concerts, and the five singers with the highest marks overall take part in the final. The winner receives £15,000 and a trophy. He or she also may be offered high-profile engagements with the BBC and Welsh National Opera.

Tommi Hakala kissing his Song Prize trophy in 2003

The recipient of the Dame Joan Sutherland Audience Prize is decided by members of the public both in the hall and watching and listening at home. It is awarded to any of the competitors in the main competition, whether or not they reach the final.

The jury consists of some of the most prominent singers in the world, including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Hakan Hagegard, Christoph Pregardien, Neil Shicoff and Dame Felicity Palmer.

Past baritone and bass winners include Jacques Imbrailo (Audience Prize, 2007), Tommi Hakala (Song Prize, 2003) and Jan Martinik (Song Prize, 2007). However, the banner year for low voices was in 1989 when future superstars Bryn Terfel won the Lieder prize and Dmitri Hvorostovsky won the overall title.

We thought that we'd post the baritone performances for you to enjoy.