Polish mezzo-soprano Ewa Gubańska has won first place, and the prestigious Regina Etz Prize (presented by Ms. Etz herself), at the 13th Handel Singing Competition, which took place this Tuesday (18 March) at St. George’s Church in Mayfair.
Ms. Gubańska impressed the judges (Ian Partridge, Edward Blakeman, Catherine Denley, Michael George, John Mark Ainsley and Patrizia Kwella) with her performance of arias from Giulio Cesare in Egitto HWV17, Alcina HWV34 and Arianna in Creta HWV32.
The singer was awarded £5,000 and a performance in the London Handel Festival 2015. She is currently studying baroque singing with Gloria Banditelli at the Bologna Conservatory of Music.
Estonian soprano Maria Valdmaa took the second prize, the Michael Oliver Prize. She received £2,000 and a recital in next year’s festival as well. She was also awarded the Michael Normington Audience Prize.
Other finalists were British soprano Susanna Fairbairn and baritones Edward Grint and Timothy Nelson.
Members of the London Handel Orchestra, directed by Laurence Cummings, accompanied the finalists.
The London Handel Festival continues until 18 April 2014.
Holly Harrison