Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will replace Dame Joan Sutherland as Patron of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition this year. Dame Joan had a long association with the competition having served on 5 consecutive juries from 1993 before becoming Patron in 2003.

Dame Kiri said of Dame Joan “she was the most spectacular soprano I’ve ever heard. We shall not see her like again”.

Speaking about Cardiff she says, “It is a thrill and honour to be asked to be Patron and jury member. The event is of great significance to the Opera world. From my own early experiences of studying at the London Opera Centre in what is now the National Opera studio, I understand how essential it is to be given such a unique opportunity as this at the outset of one’s career. It is an occasion which will reveal the finest quality of singers and I am very pleased to be a part of this extraordinary competition.”

Dame Kiri will be joined by Marilyn Horne, Dennis O’Neill, Håkan Hagegård and conductor Alexander Polianichko on the jury. The competition will run from Sunday 12 – Sunday 19 June, 2011.

“These are all great artists, esteemed around the world, but also all hugely dedicated to the nurturing of young talent – one couldn’t ask for a more perfect team,” said chairman John Fisher.

The biennial competition which will be shown on television, heard on radio and online, has become known throughout the classical music world as the premier showcase for opera and recital singers at the start of their careers.

Every competitor will perform their choice of opera and concert repertoire in front of a
distinguished jury and enthusiastic audience at St David’s Hall, Cardiff. They will also have the option of entering the Song Prize competition in recitals of Lieder and Art Song at the New Theatre Cardiff.

BBC Cardiff Singer of the World is organised by BBC Cymru Wales in association with Welsh National Opera and supported by the City and County of Cardiff.

Season Tickets include four concerts, the Final and the Song Prize Final and are priced from £50 – £190. Song Prize Season Tickets for the four recitals at the New Theatre are £24. Tickets to join the audience for the Master Classes, led by members of the world famous jury, are £8. Master Classes will be held on Saturday 18 June at the New Theatre Cardiff and at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Season tickets are available by post only. Brochures with booking forms are available from St. David’s Hall, Cardiff CF10 1AH. Booking forms should be returned to St. David’s Hall by Friday 4 February 2011.

A booking form to download and details about BBC Cardiff Singer of the World can be found at bbc.co.uk/cardiffsinger