A GLOBAL search has been launched to find a new international singing star.

The prestigious Pendine International Voice of the Future competition will be one of the main highlights of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, which gets underway on Tuesday, July 4.

It will be the first full length festival since the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

The aim of the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition, which started in 2013, is to advance the careers of the world’s most gifted young singers.

Applications to take part are now being accepted with a £3,000 cash prize for the winner as well as exciting career development opportunities, while the runner-up will receive a cheque for £1,000.

Last year's winner, baritone Emyr Lloyd Jones from Bontnewydd near Caernarfon, put in a stirring performance to take the title and was dubbed the new Bryn Terfel.

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He was presented with the Pendine Trophy – a solid silver salver - and the £3,000 prize by Mario Kreft, proprietor of the arts-loving care organisation Pendine Park, which sponsors the competition.

Once again the prize this year will come from the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT) which supports cultural and community initiatives across Wales.

The festival’s executive producer, Camilla King, was excited by the changes being introduced to the competition for 2023. 

She said: "Last year, we celebrated our 75th anniversary, and for the first time staged the final of the Pendine International Voice of the Future on our closing Saturday night, alongside the prestigious Choir of the World competition, broadcast live on S4C, and it proved to be a roof-raising climax to the Eisteddfod.

“Twenty competitors made it through to the live competition, with six in the semi-finals and two artists competing for the winner’s title. This year, we’ve added a third spot to the final stage.

“We’re also introducing an international accompanists prize, in recognition of outstanding achievement by a young pianist. So many of our talented young singers form a creative partnership with their accompanists who are of a similar age and we wish to recognise their ability.”

She added aspiring young singers should be aged between 20 and 32 on July 5 and prepare a contrasting programme of music from oratorio, opera, lieder or song.

The international accompanist competition carries a prize of £1,000 and eligible accompanists will be aged 28 or under on July 5.

The competition winners also enjoy the opportunity to perform at future Eisteddfod concerts and with other Welsh arts organisations, and will receive a working session with one of the UK’s leading opera companies.

Applications for the International Voice of the Year competition close on March 24.  Further details are online at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk