I can honestly say that being involved in Radio 3’s coverage of the Cardiff Singer of the World competition is probably the most purely enjoyable thing I’ve ever done in my broadcasting career. There’s so much about it that’s just great. It’s a huge privilege to get to meet a group of such phenomenally talented young singers from such diverse backgrounds; humbling to understand how much effort and personal investment some have had to make to get there. It’s also a privilege to be able to sit in on each singer’s rehearsals, see how they work with their accompanist and see how the performances change once they’ve got an audience there. As the audience in the hall and at home will know, it can be heart-breaking to see a singer you think has something special being eliminated by the jury.

I got a real sense last time too of how this is a contest with an amazingly committed audience, many of whom come back year after year: there’s almost a “family” feeling about it, and it’s fascinating to hear what they have to say about the performances, and sometimes, how they thing the judges have got it all wrong! Part of the special pleasure of working on the show for Radio 3 is sitting alongside Iain Burnside who knows just about everything there is to know about voices, repertoire and the art of song, but who always puts over his knowledge in such an engaging, un-technical and often hysterically funny way. The tension can be nail-biting in the two finals – the Song Prize and the overall winner (Opera Prize) - so it’s great to have someone on board who’s such a terrific laugh!

Listen to the competition everyday from June 18-21 on Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert

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Cardiff Singer of the World 2013