NSW Soprano Wins 2011 Australian Singing Competition and Audience Vote

On Sunday 30 October 2011, at the Opera Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Emma Moore, a 23 year old Soprano from Wollongong, NSW was announced winner of the 2011 Australian Singing Competition, Australia’s Richest Singing Competition. Emma was awarded the Marianne Mathy Scholarship presented by The Premier of NSW The Hon Mr Barry O’Farrell MP. The Compere for the evening was Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini.

Since 1982, the Marianne Mathy Scholarship has been the premier award in Australia’s richest singing competition, awarded to young opera and classical singers under the age of 26. The Scholarship consists of a cash prize of $30,000 to assist with a program of study and/or singing activity. The Scholarship also provides a studio recording with ABC Classic FM, a recording engagement with 2MBS-FM, Photographic Award, Editorial Resources prize, oral history prize plus a limited edition Drago Cherina sculpture presented by Music & Opera Singers Trust Ltd.

Emma Moore was also voted most popular by the audience and received the $10,000 Foster Award presented by Sydney Opera House.

The sponsor of the ASC, International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC) presented the Handa Prize. This exciting prize includes an audition in Tokyo in 2012 and was awarded to 22 year old Baritone Morgan Pearse. If he is successful, Morgan will receive a professional engagement in Tokyo. Total package is valued at $25,000.

Over $200,000 worth of prizes were awarded at the Concert. The five finalists were accompanied by the Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra conducted by Benjamin Northey (Associate Conductor with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra). Guest Artist was Dramatic Soprano and 2011 Opera Awards winner Zara Barrett.

The unenviable task of choosing the winner was undertaken by National Adjudicator Bernadette Cullen and fellow judges Peter Czornyj, Anthony Legge and Michael Halliwell.

Emma is currently completing her postgraduate studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney. During her time in Sydney Emma has been the recipient of scholarships to the Sydney Conservatorium and The Women’s College. She has also won the Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Vocal Scholarship, 2MBS Young artist of the year and most recently the McDonalds Aria and Opera and Arts Support Group Scholarships from the Sydney Eidsteddfod. Emma leaves on Wednesday to commence a Master of Opera at the University of the Arts, Berlin.

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