_{The Voice of Black Opera Competition} Semifinalists Announced

Twelve singers from Commonwealth countries around the world are on their way to Birmingham in England next month to compete in The Voice of Black Opera competition. Semifinals are on 24 and 25 November, when five singers will be chosen to advance to the Final at Birmingham Town Hall on 5 December, 2022.

The semifinalists include three Canadian voices: Chantelle Grant (mezzo soprano), Shanice Skinner (soprano) and Suzanne Taffot (soprano).

The full list of semifinalists:
Natasha Agarwal (soprano—British Indian)
Neil Balfour (bass-baritone—Scottish Indian)
Rachel Duckett (soprano—British)
Chantelle Grant (mezzo-soprano—Canadian)
Christian Joel (tenor—Trinidadian)
Thando Mjandana (tenor—South African)
Yolisa Ngwexana (soprano—South African)
John Onosolease (baritone—Nigerian)
Isabelle Peters (soprano—British)
Samkelisiwe Sitshinga (soprano—South African)
Shanice Skinner (soprano—Canadian)
Suzanne Taffot (soprano—Canadian-Cameroonian)

The five singers chosen to compete at the Final at Birmingham Town Hall will be accompanied by the Welsh National Opera (WNO) Orchestra, conducted by Matthew Kofi Waldren. At the Final, each singer’s repertoire must include a performance of at least one contemporary song or aria by a Black or South Asian composer and finalists will also perform a duet with a leading opera singer.

Two prizes will be awarded at the Final

➡ The Sir Willard White Trophy: the winner will be awarded £10,000, repertoire coaching with music staff of Welsh National Opera, and a concert appearance with the WNO Orchestra

➡ The Samuel Coleridge Taylor Award: the recipient will receive £5,000 and three performances of a specifically commissioned new work from Daniel Kidane for voice and ensemble with The Birmingham Contemporary Music Group

Both winners will be presented with trophies created by internationally acclaimed potter Dame Magdalene A.N. Odundo. Each finalist will be fitted with a bespoke fashion item, designed by students of Birmingham City University (BCU) School of Fashion & Textiles, to wear at the Final. Bespoke jewellery will also be made for the singers by students of the BCU Birmingham School of Jewellery.

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