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Opera Prize
Clonter is now delighted to announce the results of this year’s Clonter Opera Prize.
What a fantastic turn out we had on Saturday night. We were back up to nearly normal audience numbers, at over 200. Hooray! And hooray and congratulations to the numerous winners. More prizes were given out this year than usual, given the extraordinary times we are all living through but also due to the difficulty that the contestants posed for the judges. One singer narrowly missed second place over all, but also came second in the audience vote, and therefore it was felt that this needed to be acknowledged. The singer causing this dilemma was Lluis Calvet I Pey representing the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. However the first place in the audience vote went to Erin Rossington representing the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Runner up overall this year was Liam Karai representing the Royal Northern College of Music, but the overall winner of the 2022 Clonter Opera Prize was Liam Bonthrone (pictured) representing the Royal Academy of Music.
Erin Rossington and Lluis Calvet I Pey received a magnum of champagne, Liam Karai received the offer of a recorded recital opportunity, and Liam Bonthrone received both a recorded recital opportunity and a cheque for £1,500.
As the distinguished panel member soprano Joan Rodgers CBE so rightly pointed out, all the singers were winners for getting up on that stage, especially after the events of the last two years, and having been nominated to represent their respective colleges.
‘Given what we have all experienced over the past couple of years I believe we are unanimous in recognising and appreciating the special significance of (Saturday) evening on every level. As such it will be remembered as a point of reference for the future of the Clonter Opera Prize…’ – Fellow panel member, David Gowland, Artistic Director, Jette Parker Young Artist Programme, Royal Opera House
It did indeed feel a very special evening for Clonter itself, to be able to provide a live audience, 223 to be precise, for 6 emerging artists, and to have the ‘legend’ that is Stephen Reynolds to play his Clonter Fantasia – his first public performance post lockdown AND breaking his arm in two places!
Definitely a night to remember.
Thank you to all the judges, compère, accompanist, singers and last but by no means least, the much missed audience.
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Audience Feedback
‘Lovely (as always) and refreshing to hear such amazing young people – all winners in our eyes!’.
‘There was a well balanced group of contestants, all of whom showed considerable promise. Overall, it was a most enjoyable evening.’
‘Anna was super and really appreciated the excellence of Robin’s accompaniment… We all enjoyed the evening very much and hope to come again. Fabulous young voices.’
‘Wonderful experience, lovely young people, organised in the usual exemplary manner and warmly compered and accompanied.’
