The Mietta Song Recital Award 2004

The Mietta Song Recital Award 2004 was presented over the weekend of 16 and 17 October in association with the Melbourne International Arts Festival, with its theme of the Year of the Voice. The weekend of competition at Federation Hall, Victorian College of the Arts provided singers, pianists and audience with a delightful and intimate occasion featuring varied programs of art song from semi finalists and finalists of the Award. A recording of the Mietta Song Recital Award will be broadcast later in the year by ABC Classic FM.

Those fortunate members of the audience who attended the excellent series of master classes given by the inimitable French language and voice coach Madame Denise Shepherd, internationally renowned counter tenor Graham Pushee, pianist, teacher and mentor Professor Stephen McIntyre and acclaimed Australian soprano Marilyn Richardson also had the unique opportunity to gain insight into the detailed work that lies behind what lies behind even the most apparently effortless performance. For the singers and pianists who participated, the master classes were an inspiring opportunity to learn from true masters and develop new insights into the varied repertoire of art song. The master classes were made possible by the generous support of the Myer Foundation.

Semi- finalists were Robert Stewart, a lyric baritone from Essendon [Vic] accompanied by Claire Preston; Hui Juan [Sharon] Zhai, soprano from Cammeray [NSW] with Marie Searles; Stuart Haycock, tenor from Noranda [WA] and Caroline Badnall; Benjamin Martin, tenor from Ascot Vale [Vic] with pianist Amanda Hodder; Julia Malczewski, soprano from Erskineville [NSW] with pianist Claire Cooper and Helen Barnett, soprano from Woostonecraft [NSW] accompanied by Marie Searles.

Soprano Sharon [Hui Juan] Zhai was judged the winner of the 2004 Mietta Song Recital Award. Sharon, originally from China and now studying in the Master of Performance program at the Sydney Conservatorium under Maree Ryan, has won a prize package valued at over $15,000 which will provide overseas study opportunities and language and voice skills. Sharon also won the audience prize.

Winner of the Accompanist's Award is Melbourne pianist Amanda Hodder. Provided by the Hugh D T Williamson Trust, this valuable new prize provides cash and professional development to the value of $5000.

The Nino Sanciolo Memorial Scholarship encouragement award of $1,000, was won by Benjamin Martin, who is currently studying for his Master of Music (Performance) at Melbourne University.

Singers Stuart Haycock, Ben Martin and Robert Stewart and each pianist who reached the finals, Caroline Badnall, Claire Preston and Marie Searles, also receive a cash prize of $500. Semi finalists also received a participation award.

The Mietta Song Recital Award and the associated master classes, together with the substantial prizes package worth over $25,000, is made possible by the generous support of individuals, corporations and philanthropic organizations acknowledged in the program. The Mietta Foundation and the committee of the Mietta Song Recital Award extend grateful thanks to those organizations and individuals, and also to our patrons Dame Joan Sutherland, Richard Bonynge, Yvonne Kenny and Mietta's mother Maria O'Donnell.