Miriam Albano wins the 16th Ada Sari International Vocal Artistry Competition, Poland
Italian mezzo-soprano Miriam Albano won the First Prize in the category of female voices at the XVI Ada Sari International Vocal Artistry Competition in Poland. Second Prize went to Adriana Ferfecka (Poland), while Third Prize was not awarded. In the category of male voices the jury did not award First Prize. Second Prize went to Dariusz Perczak (Poland) and two equal Third Prizes went to Daniel Miroslaw (Poland) and Adam Smith (Great Britain). The jury decided to allow two equal First Prizes to Miriam Albano and Aleksandra Swiderek (Poland) in the competition for best performance of an art song cycle.
– I am happy that the jury appreciated my singing. I did not expect to win the prize, but I hoped I would be noticed. The future lies ahead of me and it begins in Nowy Sącz – said Miriam Albano, winner of the First Prize.
The competition received 70 applications from 11 countries. The jury for this year’s Ada Sari International Vocal Artistry Competition included among others, Małgorzata Walewska, Daniel Dollé, Angelo Gabrielli, Ryszard Karczykowski, Izabela Kłosińska, and Andrejs Žagars. Auditions were open to the public and were held in three stages. Participants prepared a program consisting of 10 works of any musical genre. The pieces were sung in original languages, including Polish.
– The level of the competition was very high – said Malgorzata Walewska, during the laureate’s gala. While turning towards the participants she added: We spent a week together, full of emotion and hope. I know that you were nervous in the final, but it is a part of the profession. You were great, you provided us with many memories. Thank you and congratulations.
The Ada Sari International Vocal Artistry Festival and Competition is held every two years. This year it was inaugurated with Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Resurrection Symphony under the direction of José Cura and performed by the Beethoven Academy Orchestra, Polish Radio Choir, Gorecki Chamber Choir, and soloists: Urška Arlič Gololičič (soprano and winner of XIII Ada Sari Vocal Artistry Competition in 2009) and Małgorzata Walewska (mezzo-soprano and Artistic Director of the Ada Sari Vocal Artistry Festival and Competition).