A gifted soprano from Singapore has been crowned the world’s best young opera singer at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
Shimona Rose, 29, outshone competitors from all around the globe to win the prestigious Pendine International Voice of the Future title in a thrilling sing-off against talented Welsh soprano Manon Ogwen Parry.
A delighted Shimona was presented with the Pendine Trophy – a solid silver salver – and a £3,000 cheque by Mario Kreft MBE, proprietor of the arts-loving care organisation, Pendine Park, who sponsor the competition.
The prize came from the Pendine Arts and Community Trust which was founded by Mario and his wife, Gill, to support cultural and community initiatives across Wales.
Manon, from Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan, received a runner’s up prize of £1,000.
Finalist and runner-up, Manon Ogwen Parry, Wales (Image: Rick Matthews)
Shimona was overwhelmed by her success especially as this was her first ever visit to Llangollen Eisteddfod.
She delivered dazzling performances to make it through initial rounds of the competition which attracted some of the best young singers from all around the globe.
An original 16 entrants in earlier heats were whittled down to six semi-finalists before Shimona and Manon were chosen to sing off in the final.
It is a flagship contest of the Eisteddfod and attracted a packed crowd into the main pavilion, cheering on the contestants in the finale night of competitions.
Shimona said: “It has been an absolute whirlwind. The other competitors were all immensely talented so it is an incredible honour to be awarded this title.
"More than that, it is a personal affirmation for me that this is absolutely what I am meant to do.”
The competition was judged by Martin Fitzgerald, head of music at the English National Opera, and operatic soprano Sarah Tynan, a voice professor at the Royal College of Music.
Presenting the Pendine International Voice for the Future prize, Mario Kreft said the performances of both finalists were “remarkable”.
He said: “The calibre of singing was outstanding. These are two such promising talents of the future. It is heartening to know that through our involvement in sponsoring this competition we are helping nurture the promising young stars of the future.
“This is exactly why Pendine Arts and Community Trust got involved in the Llangollen Eisteddfod, to champion the new generation of talents in music and the arts, to help them prosper and progress.
“The competition chimes perfectly with our ethos at Pendine Park because the arts in general and music in particular provide the golden thread running through everything we do to enrich the lives of our residents and staff alike and can play an incredibly important role in social care more widely.”
Runner up Manon said the second prize of £1,000 will also help her as she embarks on an opera study course at the Guildhall from September.
She said: “It will be a big help in furthering my musical ambitions.”
She congratulated Shimona on her win saying: “She is such a wonderful talent, with a warm and friendly personality. It’s been a pleasure to be in the final sing-off with her.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here