Singer of the World

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is the new patron of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition following the death of Dame Joan Sutherland last year. Chairman of the jury John Fisher said they were delighted to have a singer of Dame Kiri’s calibre joining as patron. She will also sit on the jury alongside Marilyn Horne, Dennis O’Neill and Håkan Hagegård. “She’s obviously a wonderful singer and someone with great stature in the operatic business,” Fisher says. “Just as importantly, she’s someone with a real genuine interest in nurturing young talent and cares very deeply about young singers and spends a lot of time working with them.” Fisher says the appointments of both Dame Joan and Dame Kiri prove what an important event the biennial contest is. “It’s very highly regarded internationally — the legendary Dame Joan Sutherland was with us for so many years and the fact we were associated with her spoke volumes. It’s very exciting that Dame Kiri has now joined us — it’s almost like a natural handover in a sense.” BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2011 takes place from June 12 to 19. BBC Cardiff Singer of the World was launched in 1983.