Voice of Black Opera Competition announces finalists

Florence Lockheart
Monday, November 28, 2022

Five finalists have been chosen to compete for the competition’s two prizes at the final on 5 December

Clockwise from top left: Rachel Duckett, Chantelle Grant, Isabelle Peters, Yolisa Ngwexana and Thando Mjandana
Clockwise from top left: Rachel Duckett, Chantelle Grant, Isabelle Peters, Yolisa Ngwexana and Thando Mjandana

The Voice of Black Opera Competition made its return to Birmingham with semifinals held this month. Five competition finalists have now been chosen to progress to the competition final on 5 December.

Finalists will perform at this year’s Grand Final Concert, accompanied by the Welsh National Opera (WNO) Orchestra, conducted by Matthew Kofi Waldren. The concert will be held at Birmingham Town Hall and will be hosted by British journalist and broadcaster Marverine Cole.

Vincent Osborne, founder and artistic director of the Black British Classical Foundation (BBCF) which organises the competition in collaboration with WNO, said: ‘I’ve been blown away by the Semifinals.. the joy of opera, these artists will inspire people, so they too can say yes, I will begin – or continue – my own journey to become a singer, a classical musician, or a passionate supporter of this wonderful artform.’

The five singers who have been chosen to advance to the competition final are:

  • Rachel Duckett - soprano (British)
  • Chantelle Grant - mezzo-soprano (Canadian)
  • Thando Mjandana - tenor (South African)
  • Yolisa Ngwexana - soprano (South African)
  • Isabelle Peters - soprano (British)

The finalists will be judged by a panel led by tenor and composer Tom Randle including general director of WNO, Aidan Lang; BCMG artistic director Stephan Meier; tenor and vocal coach Jean Ronald La Fond; composer Philip Herbert; critic Rupert Christiansen and composer and conductor Odaline de la Martinez.

The five singers will perform at least one contemporary work by a Black or South Asian composer as well as a duet with a leading opera singer. Each finalist will wear a garment and a piece of jewellery created by students at Birmingham City University’s Schools of Jewellery, Fashion & Textiles.

Finalists will compete for the Sir Willard White Trophy, which offers a cash prize of £10,000, as well as a concert opportunity with the Welsh National Opera (WNO) Orchestra and coaching from Welsh National Opera (WNO). Also up for grabs is the Samuel Coleridge Taylor Award of £5,000, which will also include three performances with the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG) of new work from Daniel Kidane.