Mietta Song Recital Award calls for entries
13 February 2006
The prestigious Mietta Song Recital Award (the Mietta) will again kick off in Melbourne in May 2006. The Award promotes classical singers and pianists in the art song genre. This major two day event brings together Australia and New Zealand’s best classical talent to compete for up to $25,000 in cash prizes and career development opportunities.
Eminent conductor and patron of the Award Richard Bonynge, who will be a judge for the award, said “The Mietta provides our most gifted classical singers and pianists an opportunity to perform at their highest level. The competition aspect and large prize pool adds to the excitement of this award, it is here we may find the next Yvonne Kenny!”
The Mietta will run from 6 to 7 May 2006 and the winner of the competition will receive funding for international travel and tuition. All finalists and semi-finalists will receive cash awards towards costs.
John Heuzenroeder, who won the Award in 1996 and will play Tom Rakewell in Opera Australia’s 2006 production of The Rake’s Progress by Stravinsky, declares, “The MSRA led to my international career as a singer, the award gave me many opportunities to perform and record and gave me the confidence to perform throughout the world. I strongly encourage all students or practitioners of the art song genre to audition”.
A series of master classes will be held during the week preceding the event providing competitors with additional tuition from masters, as well as performance opportunities in the lead up to the Award.
Vibrant poetry and music, from 1750 to the present day, is brought to life by each singer and pianist, who will present concert recital programs of their own choice throughout the competition.
Mietta O’Donnell, after whom the Award is named, provided a unique contribution to Victoria. Centred in the world of hospitality, Mietta used her stage to nurture the arts and the artists of Australia. The Mietta Song Recital Award, a major project of the Mietta Foundation, celebrates Mietta’s life, her achievements and her love of the arts. Patrons of the award are Richard Bonynge AO CBE, Dame Joan Sutherland OM AC DBE, Yvonne Kenny AM, and Mietta’s mother Maria O’Donnell.
The Mietta Award will be judged by a stellar line up comprising Richard Bonynge AO CBE, Professor Ziethen from Germany, counter-tenor Graham Pushee and contralto Lauris Elms. The call for entries is now open.
PRIZES
$25 000 overall prizes package including:
· cash and travel opportunities worth up to $15 000 for the winning singer
· Cash encouragement award for runner-up
· $5000 cash prize towards career development for best accompanist
· A new cash prize for the best Australian song
· Each finalist and semifinalist will receive a cash award
closing date of entry: Tuesday 14 March 2006
Entry is open to: Classical singers and pianists of all ages
Cost of entry: $40
How to enter: See the website.
Website: http://www.miettas.com.au/msra.html
