1st prize:
Sónia Grané (soprano) & Edwige Herchenroder (piano)
2nd prize:
Victor Sicard (baritone) & Anna Cardona (piano)
Highly commended:
Benjamin Appl (baritone) & Bernadette Bartos (piano)
Saturday 19th March saw eight short-listed duos compete to be Oxford Lieder Young Artists. The prize is given as a series of sponsored recital opportunities around the UK, as well as platforms at the Oxford Lieder Festival and St John's Smith Square.
Adjudicators Ian and Jennifer Partridge, for many years a world-renowned duo, listened to each duo give a 45-minute recital and at the end of the day faced a tough decision; every recital was of a very high standard and every musician brought something special to the day. In the end, the main award was given to Portuguese soprano Sónia Grané and French pianist Edwige Herchenroder. French baritone Victor Sicard and Spanish pianist Anna Cardona will also give a number of recitals under the scheme. German baritone Benjamin Appl and Austrian pianist Bernadette Bartos were highly commended and there will be a chance to hear them at an Oxford Lieder recital in the future.
All in all it was a wonderful day of an exceptionally high standard. We look forward to hearing all those took part in the future as their careers develop.