91Èȱ¬

How the influence of one man who lived on a remote Hebridean island will reach the world's great opera houses will be told at this year's 91Èȱ¬ Cardiff Singer of the World competition, organised by 91Èȱ¬ Cymru Wales.

91Èȱ¬ Wales is delighted to be working with The Ian Smith of Stornoway Trust in its first charitable venture – backing the Master Class series held at the New Theatre, Cardiff and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff on Saturday 13 June 2009.

The competition's patron is the legendary Dame Joan Sutherland and the Master Classes will be given by members of the jury at 91Èȱ¬ Cardiff Singer of the World 2009, to singers who have not reached the final.

It will be an opportunity for young singers and audiences alike to see great performers hand on knowledge gained through their experiences.

Among the great opera stars holding Master Classes will be soprano Dame Gwyneth Jones, Giacomo Aragall, the legendary Spanish tenor and German bass, Kurt Moll.

The singers will be selected from the 25 young competitors on the brink of world class careers.

The Ian Smith of Stornoway Trust is a newly-established charitable trust set up to help gifted young artists, particularly classical singers.

It commemorates the life and gifts of Ian Smith – an exceptional man who, despite ill-health, continued to use his talents with purpose and enthusiasm in the musical, social and economic life of Stornoway and the Isle of Lewis.

During the Thirties and Forties he gave recitals on 91Èȱ¬ radio and was a well-known concert performer on the island. When his health prevented him from singing in public any longer he used his gifts to help to develop young singers and the Trust, which was set up in 2007 by Ian Smith's elder son and his wife, is a fitting memorial to him in continuing the work he began during his short life.

The Trustees said: "We are delighted that our first venture will be to provide financial support for this year's 91Èȱ¬ Cardiff Singer of the World Master Class programme.

"In the future, the Trust hopes to enable more projects which concentrate on ensuring that young singers develop maximum potential particularly with the help of Master Classes which are so successful at 91Èȱ¬ Cardiff Singer of the World."

Controller, 91Èȱ¬ Wales, Menna Richards, said: "I'm delighted to welcome the Ian Smith of Stornoway Trust to the competition and thank them for their support for the very special young singers at 91Èȱ¬ Cardiff Singer of the World."

Audiences at the Master Classes on 13 June will learn more details about Ian Smith and the charitable trust that has been set up in his name.

Notes to Editors

The 2009 Competition

The 25 singers will take part in one of the concerts from Sunday 7 June to Thursday 11 June 2009, and five singers will be chosen to compete in the final at St David's Hall on Sunday 14 June.

During the competition the singers will be accompanied by the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, conducted by Paul Daniel, and the 91Èȱ¬ National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Lawrence Foster.

All the singers are also eligible to compete for the 91Èȱ¬ Cardiff Singer of the World Rosenblatt Recital Song Prize.

This competition opens at the New Theatre on the evening of Saturday 6 June and is followed by three afternoon recitals on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

The final for this takes place at St David's Hall, Cardiff on Friday 12 June.

The official accompanists will be Simon Lepper, Phillip Thomas and Llyr Williams.

Master Classes will be taken by members of this year's distinguished jury, which includes Giacomo Aragall, Richard Bonynge AO CBE, Helmut Deutsch, John Fisher (Chairman), Adam Gatehouse, Dame Gwyneth Jones, Kurt Moll, Ann Murray DBE and Lenore Rosenberg.

From 5 March single tickets (subject to availability) will be available by post, telephone, online or in person from St David's Hall, The Hayes, Cardiff CF10 1AH. Tel: +44 (0)29 2087 8444. The venue's website is stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk.

Tickets for the Rosenblatt Recital Song Prize and Master Classes may also be purchased from The New Theatre, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3LN. Tel: +44 (0) 29 2087 8889 or online at newtheatrecardiff.co.uk.

91Èȱ¬ Wales Publicity