Sarah Gilford in the BBC Cardiff Singer of The World 2021
We are delighted to announce that soprano Sarah Gilford will join the prestigious line up of singers entering The BBC Cardiff Singer of The World 2021 competition.
BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2021 will take place at St David’s Hall from Saturday 12th to Saturday 19th June.
Now in its 20th edition, the biennial competition has launched the careers of some of the biggest opera stars, such as Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Bryn Terfel, Jamie Barton and 2019 winner baritone Andrei Kymach from Ukraine.
This year’s event features singers from 15 countries including Austria, China, Denmark, England, Georgia, Iceland, Mongolia, South Korea, Russia, South Africa, USA, Venezuela, Wales and, represented for the first time, Madagascar and Kosovo.
With an average age of 29, the competitors have made it through three selection stages from a record-breaking number of applications with virtual auditions for all selection rounds. The 16 singers will perform their programmes hoping to gain the title Cardiff Singer of the World, or to become winner of the BBC Cardiff Singer Song Prize. Perhaps one lucky singer will gain both accolades!
Find out more here
We interviewed Sarah to find out where her musical journey started, how she has coped throughout this pandemic and what some of dream roles are.
1. What first got you into singing and can you tell us about your musical journey so far?
I first became aware that I could sing well when I was cast as the title role in my primary school’s Christmas production of Snow Robin. I then went on to perform in school concerts and compete in local Eisteddfods. I eventually begged my parents for singing lessons and started with a local teacher, Angela Morris-Parry. My initial interests were in musical theatre but after a few years of lessons, I decided to pursue the classical music route. I was determined to make classical singing my career and after being rejected from all the conservatoires I auditioned for during my last year of sixth form, I decided to wait a year and try again. Luckily, I was accepted into the Bachelor of Music programme at the Royal Northern College of Music, where I studied with Deborah Rees. After spending six years in Manchester I was offered a scholarship to undertake a Master of Arts degree at the Royal Academy of Music where I studied with Lillian Watson and Jonathan Papp. I received so many wonderful opportunities at the Royal Academy of Music including being a member of the RAM Song Circle and the RAM/Kohn Foundation Bach Scholars. In my final year I decided to audition for the UK Opera Schools and some YAP programmes in Europe. I was extremely pleased, albeit a little shocked, to receive a place on the Bayerische Staatsoper’s Opera Studio in Munich. The studio has opened up so many opportunities for me and to be able to sing in this house is for sure the highlight of my career so far.
2. How are you dealing / how have you dealt with the pandemic - professionally?
I’ve been extremely lucky throughout the pandemic professionally. It was of course a shock when the pandemic hit and we had to stop rehearsals for our opera studio production of Mignon where I was playing the title role. However, it was rescheduled for September and I managed to perform seven shows of Mignon as well as three shows as Giannetta in L’elisir d’amore. I since have been involved in a number of live-streams from the opera house most notably as Taumännchen in Hänsel und Gretel in December. I was also extremely fortunate to be able to record my performance for the Welsh Singers Showcase in the opera house. I am so grateful to the Bayerische Staatsoper for everything they have done to keep our professional lives and development going. I am so pleased I was able to compete in the Welsh Singers Showcase and even more thrilled to have won and go on to represent Wales in BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2021!
3. Being Welsh, what does singing at BBC Cardiff Singer of The world mean for you?
Growing up in Cardiff, I have been aware of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World for as long as I can remember. I’ve watched it every year and even been to some of the performances and masterclasses in Cardiff. I remember, when I was younger and competing in local competitions, that they would often give you a form to fill in detailing your interests and goals in order to give some interesting information about you when they introduced you. I would always write that my dream was to represent Wales in BBC Cardiff Singer of the World. Being Welsh has provided me with so many opportunities as well as helped fund my studies. It’s wonderful to be able to show the world the outcome of this support through the artist I have become. For me personally it’s also a privilege to perform in my hometown surrounded by my family who have also made a lot of opportunities possible for me.
4. What is/are your dream roles or music inspiration?
I’m extremely lucky to be performing two of my dream roles next season at Klagenfurt Stadttheater as a member of the ensemble, Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro and Gilda in Rigoletto. Since being in Germany and beginning to speak the language, I would also love to sing roles such as Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier, Pamina and Gretel. I would especially love to play Gretel in the production of Hänsel und Gretel in Munich, not only because it was a Welsh National Opera production, but also because I love the freedom you have when playing a child and also eating lots of cake! I’m also a keen song performer and I am especially inspired by pieces which are female driven whether that be a female character or written for/by women. I really love the opportunity to give depth to the women I play in Opera as well. One role I would love to sing is Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare. Handel’s music is some of the most beautiful in my opinion and teamed with a complex woman like Cleopatra sounds dreamy to me!
5. Looking at your musical journey so far, what is your greatest achievement?
I would say my greatest achievements are being chosen for the Opera Studio at the Bayerische Staatsoper and making it to BBC Cardiff Singer of the World. On a personal level, BBC Cardiff Singer of the World has been something I’ve dreamt about since the start of my musical journey, so it will hold a very special place in my heart to make this dream come true.
6. Do you know what you are going to wear ?
Well I don’t want to give too much away but I think you’ll be able to spot the Welsh representative easily from the colour I’ve chosen.