MATHY AWARDS COUNTDOWN – FINAL FIVE

World-renowned tenor Glenn Winslade announced the Finalists of the 2005 Mathy Awards after a sell-out concert at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.   The successful singers are Lucinda-Mirikata Deacon (20) NSW, Mylinda Joyce (25) VIC, Anita Watson (25) NSW, Derek Welton (23) VIC and the appropriately named Carmen Young (16) TAS - the youngest Finalist in the history of the Competition.

Mr Roland Gridiger established The Australian Singing Competition in 1982 to recognise, reward and encourage exceptional vocal talent.  This year’s Competition is now reaching its exciting final stage and the five young singers will compete for a generous array of awards - cash prizes, overseas study scholarships and performance opportunities - the most notable being the Marianne Mathy Scholarship of $30,000.

The Finalists will have the rare opportunity of singing with a full orchestra - on this occasion Sydney Symphony* - conducted by distinguished maestro Richard Bonynge OA CBE.  After consultation with the adjudicators, they will be presenting an interesting and varied programme ranging from Vivaldi to Charpentier.

Compered by Moffatt Oxenbould AM, the Finals Concert will include a tribute to the late June Bronhill by soprano Amelia Farrugia who is about to release her debut album with the BBC Symphony Orchestra entitled Joie de vivre! The brilliant young musician Sarah Kim will also be a guest artist playing the Verbrugghen’s magnificent organ.

As the Semi-Finals Concert was an unprecedented sell-out well in advance, followers of this prestigious Competition will need to book early to make sure of a seat for the Finals Concert at 7.30 pm on Thursday 3 November in the Verbrugghen Hall of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music!

Bookings: Recital Hall Angel Place 8256 2222 OR www.musicusyd.edu.au

Dinner will be available at the Conservatorium’s Music Café from 5.30 pm, with a special discount for ticket-holders.