| Winner announced for Royal Melbourne Philharmonic 2012 Aria |
| Tuesday, 31 July 2012 12:13 |
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Melbourne's Lotte Betts-Dean has beaten six of Australia's finest oratorio singers to claim the crown of winner of the 2012 Royal Melbourne Philharmonic (RMP) Aria. The Berlin-born 22 year old mezzo-soprano won the title, ahead of 24-year-old baritone Nathan Lay as runner up, and 21-year-old bass-baritone Jeremy Kleeman, in third place. Lotte won a cash prize of $1650, a future professional engagement and recording with the RMP, language coaching and a photographic package valued at over $500.00 Also impressing the judges was 2nd placegetter, Nathan Lay, who won $850, and an optional offer of a professional future engagement with the RMP as well as a photographic package. Nathan also won the audience favourite prize of $250 cash. Third place getter Jeremy Kleeman was awarded $500 plus an optional future RMP engagement. All the finalists were accompanied by RMP Principal Accompanist, Stefan Cassomenos. The judging panel comprised ABC Classic FM's Graham Abbott, Victorian Opera's Roxane Hislop, RMP Principal Accompanist Stefan Cassomenos, with RMP Music Director Andrew Wailes as chair of the panel. |
