The prestigious Stuart Burrows International Voice Award will take place at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) Carmarthen campus on Sunday, June 11^th.

This international award was established in honour of the world-renowned Welsh tenor, Stuart Burrows with the aim of helping young soloists progress in their musical careers.  With some of the most promising young singers taking part in the competition, the evening is also an opportunity to hear some of the best up and coming operatic talents.

Now in its eleventh year, the competition has attracted entrants from across the globe and is seen as one of the UK’s most important events for young singers.  The esteemed judges in this year’s competition are Mezzo Soprano, Buddug Verona James and Nicholas Winter from the Welsh National Opera.

Last year, the competition was won by South African Baritone, Bongani Justice Kubheka who beat off stiff competition from twenty-two other young talented singers.

As well as the honour of being awarded the coveted title, the competition winner is also awarded a financial prize of £4000.

Bongani Justice was born and raised in Newcastle, a developing town of KwaZulu Natal province in South Africa. In 2010 he enrolled to study his Performers Diploma in Opera at the University of Cape Town, training with baritone Patrick Tikolo and receiving opera coaching from Professor Kamal Khan. He graduated in 2014 with 4 Distinctions.  In October 2015, thanks to the support of a full scholarship from Wales Millennium Centre, Bongani moved to Cardiff to continue his studies with a Master’s Programme in Advanced Vocal Studies at the Wales International Academy of Voice under the tutorship of Dennis O’ Neill.

Born in Wales, his career has taken him to all the major Opera Houses of the world, singing all the leading tenor roles. He has appeared at the Metropolitan Opera, New York on twelve consecutive seasons – a record for any British singer – and has the distinction of being invited by the Met on several occasions to join them on tour of the USA.

“The Stuart Burrows International Voice Award grows from strength to strength and we are honoured that the world-renowned tenor lends his name to the competition,” says Professor Medwin Hughes, Vice Chancellor of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

“The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is central to the development of opportunities within the arts and culture in Wales and is proud of its reputation as an Institution that nurtures and develops new and aspiring young talent,” he continues.

The competition organiser is Eilir Owen Griffiths –a music lecturer at the University and course leader for the popular Welsh medium performance course – the BA Perfformio.  Eilir also studied at the University in Carmarthen and has taught at the institution for the past 12 years.

As well as having more than 15 years’ experience as a Musical Director and a composer, Eilir is also the Musical Director for Llangollen International Eisteddfod.  He has also won many awards for his work as a composer including ‘Tlws y Cerddor’ (Musician’s Award) at the National Eisteddfod in 2008.

“This year, the competition is celebrating its eleventh year.  Last year we had 22 competitors from around the globe singing in the competition and we had a very special day.

“We had an incredible final in 2016 with an exceptional standard of singing.  I’m sure that those taking part in this year’s competition will also give us an evening to remember.”

If you’re interested in taking part in this year’s Stuart Burrows International Voice Award, an application form can be downloaded from http://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/stuartburrows/

The Stuart Burrows International Voice Award will be held at the University Chapel on the UWTSD Carmarthen campus on Sunday, June 11th. Tickets will be available shortly,

Further Information

For further information, please contact Sian-Elin Davies by emailing sian-elin.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk / 01267 676908 / 07449 998476