BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2023 (2/4)

Pianist and broadcaster Iain Burnside and soprano Rebecca Evans, introduce highlights from the preliminary stages of the 2023 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Song Prize, which takes place this week in the Dora Stoutzker Recital Hall at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Just fourteen of the world's finest young singers have won through to this stage of the Song competition and are now invited to perform their programmes of lieder and art song in front of a distinguished jury, led by Wigmore Hall's Artistic and Executive Director John Gilhooly. The stakes are high, and only five of them will secure a spot in the Song Prize Final, at St David's Hall on Thursday.

Competitors taking part include: bass, Toni Nežić (Croatia); soprano, Jessica Robinson (Wales); mezzo, Siphokazi Molteno (South Africa); baritone, Huhegala (China); soprano, Julieth Lozano Rolong (Colombia)

Competition accompanists: Llŷr Williams; Simon Lepper