Chinese Tenor Wins Round 1

[vetuste_ennemi]

of Singer of the Year.

[vetuste_ennemi]

I liked the Russian mezzo.

[vetuste_ennemi]

I fancy the Mexican baritone.

[vetuste_ennemi]

...from round four.

[vetuste_ennemi]

But the winner is...
the South Korean girl..

[vetuste_ennemi]

...and an Argentinian mezzo into the final as the wild card.

Didn't see that round.

(But she's not the greatest loooking girl, is she?)

[vetuste_ennemi]

...and Mr Lei is the final winner of Cardiff Singer of the Year. Watching the recording of last night's final. Announced by Te Kanawa.

I hope Mikey is watching and approves.

[vetuste_ennemi]

[vetuste_ennemi]

Mind you, as a kid one my earliest albums (vinyl in those days) was famous operatic duets featuring a favourite VE tenor Jussi Bjoerling:

[vetuste_ennemi]

What happend there? Try again:

[shoota]

The South Korean girl is very good, a lovely voice.
Perhaps a little too controlled?

[vetuste_ennemi]

//..too controlled//

You prefer a woman to be a little (shall we say?) "looser", then, Shoota?

[ladybirder]

Best ever recording of the Pearl Fishers duet. Perfection.

[vetuste_ennemi]

Yes, delighytful, Ladybirder. Bought the Merrell/Bjoerling album when I was twen ty-oneis? How much did I pay?

Preferred label (people as old as me will remember it) was "Ace of Clubs" if the memory hasn't gone wonky. Only a quid a time (copyright expired) compared with Deutsche Gramafon (Callas/Di Stefano etc) at twice the price.But it wasn't either of those. So would have been a lot of dosh to the young VE and his wife.

[ladybirder]

Yes indeed you picked the best recording that's for sure. I remember it being played at home when I was young. And my father playing Chopin Nocturnes on his piano. So long ago, but stayed with me all my life. When I moved to London and went to the Royal Opera House for the first time I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.