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Post by oxfordsimon on Jun 13, 2021 19:41:54 GMT
Great joy to have this back. One of my favourite cultural events in the calendar.
First round tonight. Shame there is no audience but those are the rules in Wales.
Some glorious singing. Some quite poor diction. If I can't hear the language being sung, then I am missing so much.
I have a clear winner from the first four. Fingers crossed.
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Post by n1david on Jun 14, 2021 22:45:04 GMT
It's one of my favourite events and I was at the last two competitions. I'd have loved to have been there this week - it's such a lovely event, the audience are so warm and it's a really enjoyable community event. Although it's an international competition, there is something very Welsh about it and I've loved my visits to Cardiff to watch the competition. We've stayed in the hotel used for competitors and it was always interesting to see who was having breakfast together and who was self-isolating (in the terms that we now understand).
I think this year is suffering from the lack of an audience but better that it happens without an audience than not at all. I thought the jury decision for the second heat was a strange one, I do wonder whether audience reaction might have swayed the judges under different circumstances. Happy with the first heat winner.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jun 14, 2021 22:52:21 GMT
Not watched the second heat yet. But whilst I could admire the winner of the first, I found her a bit over intense and wanted something warmer from her.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jun 15, 2021 1:17:38 GMT
Just finished round 2. I can't call it. Two really exciting singers for me.
An imperious Forza and a wonderful Pagliacci.
I would have been happy either way.
The Entfuhrung was exceptional as well.
I want more tenors and countertenor to be part of the competition. They are generally more exciting than sops/mezzos for me. And a true alto would be lovely from time to time.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jun 16, 2021 9:51:56 GMT
Round 3 had some great moments. But it didn't feel as strong.
I enjoyed the Figaro and the Czardas - but the mezzo was out of her depth for much of her programme.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jun 17, 2021 1:04:34 GMT
What a sad turn of events for the Icelandic singer. But what an opportunity for the reserve.
And how she seized her moment.
I felt very, very secure listening to her performance. The Delilah was mesmerising. And how delightful to finish with the Novello. How that man could wrote a melody to sweeps you upwards.
She was a joy.
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5,582 posts
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Post by lynette on Jun 17, 2021 16:49:18 GMT
Really missing the audience. The roar that goes up from the knowledgeable crowd when they sense a winner and when the singer really connects is irreplaceable. Above you say it is the rules in Wales - hmm. I really think an audience of music students or something would have been possible, no? All jabbed and masked and well behaved, like all welsh students are?
Loving the singing - liked that Russian woman and what a story the sub scores! They look for someone who is assured, not having to think about voice but performing, ready to go into the big Opera World.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jun 18, 2021 8:03:21 GMT
Not sure I agreed with the song prize result. Beautiful as the winning voice maybe, there were 2 stronger communicators in the final with a better claim to the title
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jun 19, 2021 18:58:15 GMT
Final just starting.
I really do want the English mezzo to win. She really captivated me. I suspect the South African soprano starts as favourite and would be a worthy winner.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jun 19, 2021 21:04:27 GMT
Very surprised at the winner. A very solid voice but not an exciting performance.
Thrilled for the audience prize winner
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