Success in Innsbruck

Monday 19 August 2013

RCM singers have enjoyed great success in the fourth Cesti International Singing Competition at the Innsbruck International Early Music Festival.

RCM alumna mezzo soprano Emilie Renard won first prize of €4,000 and the audience prize of €1,000, as well as being awarded the Special Prize of an engagement at the Theater an der Wien. Emilie graduated from RCM International Opera School in July 2012 having completed her Masters and Artist Diploma studying with Janis Kelly.  

Emilie is not the only RCM singer to enjoy success in this hugely prestigious competition. Out of more than 180 applicants, this year’s 11 finalists also included countertenor Tai Oney and soprano Katherine Crompton. Last year’s prize winners included two RCM alumni: baritone Edward Grint and countertenor Jake Arditti.

The International Singing Competition for Baroque Opera is named after the Italian composer Pietro Antonio Cesti, who turned Innsbruck into a centre for Italian opera north of the Alps in the mid-17th century. Talented young singers from all over the world applied for the chance to compete in the Competition Final, which took place on Friday 16 August in front of a jury of renowned Baroque specialists.