And the winner is ...
The finale of the Queen Sonja International Music Competition, QSIMC, took place in Oslo Opera House tonight. Her Majesty herself presented the first prize to the Norwegian soprano Lise Davidsen.
The main goal of the QSIMC is to assist the career development of talented young singers. Queen Sonja underscored the role the Competition can play in the development of these artist's carreers in her speech tonight:
- This competition seeks to provide exceptional young artists with the experience necessary to promote international careers. We know from previous years that the competition has been a significant milestone in their development – and that it has contributed to important opportunities.
An eminent jury consisting of active and highly respected personalities is a crucial factor in achieving this goal. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the jury, chaired by Sophie de Lint. Their important contribution to the competition is highly appreciated.
Announcing the winners
After a finale with five singers on a very high level, Queen Sonja could present the prizes:
And to you, all wonderful singers: Thank you for sharing your talent with us. I am full of admiration for what you already have achieved. I am certain that you all will have successful journeys ahead of you! Good luck!
But before you embark on your next adventure, it is my great privilege to announce the winners of the Queen Sonja International Music Competition 2015.
The third prize goes to Yuriy Yurchuk...
The second prize goes to Elsa Dreisig …
Finally, the first prize in The Queen Sonja Music Competition 2015 goes to Lise Davidsen.
Programme and repertoire
More than 200 singers wished to attend this year's competition. 42 of them participated in this last week of competitions, and five finalists stood on stage in Oslo Opera House tonight. In front of a large audience, including Her Majesty herself and a highly compentent jury, the contestants all sang two arias:
Part 1:
|
Leon Kosavic Baritone, Croatia (1991) |
|
|
Elsa Dreisig Soprano, France (1991) |
|
|
Alexey Lavrov Baritone, Russia (1985) |
|
|
Lise Davidsen Soprano, Norway (1987) |
|
|
Yuriy Yurchuk Baritone, Ukraine (1983) |
|
Part 2:
|
Alexey Lavrov Baritone, Russia (1985) |
|
|
Lise Davidsen Soprano, Norway (1987) |
|
|
Leon Kosavic Baritone, Croatia (1991) |
|
|
Yuriy Yurchuk Baritone, Ukraine (1983) |
|
|
Elsa Dreisig Soprano, France (1991) |
|
Tonight's contestants performed on a very high level. The winners receive prize money as well as offers of engagements with leading Norwegian musical institutions. Furthermore, international agents, casting directors, orchestral programme managers and other music industry representatives were present in the Opera House tonight.
Current news
Welcoming the Restauration to the US
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon, along with a couple of thousand attendees, welcomed the sloop Restauration to New York, exactly 200 years after the vessel carrying Norwegian emigrants arrived in the United States. In 1825, they crossed the Atlantic in search of a new and better life. This voyage is regarded as the beginning of organised emigration from Norway.
Met with Governor Walz in Minnesota
Minnesota is one of the states in the United States where a large proportion of the population has Norwegian ancestry. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon is therefore also visiting this state and its largest metropolitan area, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, during his trip to the United States to mark the 200th anniversary of Norwegian emigration to the US.
Enlarge