27-year-old tenor wins Welsh Singers Competition
2 July 2010, Cardiff, Wales
brian_tarr2010.jpg "Competition adjudicator, Bryn Terfel, presents John Pierce with his award")
Competition adjudicator, Bryn Terfel, presents John Pierce with his award(Photo: Brian Tarr)
27-year-old tenor, John Pierce, has won the Welsh Singers Competition 2010.
He was one of four singers who performed in this year’s public final at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, accompanied by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under Grant Llewellyn. The panel of adjudicators included Welsh bass-baritone, Bryn Terfel.
As well as receiving a cash prize of £2,000, Pierce will now go on to represent Wales in Cardiff Singer of the World 2011.
Speaking candidly about his success, Pierce said: “I am really shocked to have won, and even more shocked as it comes just eight weeks after becoming a dad to my daughter, Sophie.”
He went on to explain that his grandmother had always wanted to become an opera singer, but due to financial restrictions had turned down a place at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama when she was 13.
“My grandmother and parents encouraged me to develop my singing skills and have been a great source of inspiration and support over the years,” he added.
Pierce’s winning performance ended with Rodolpho’s aria ‘Che gelida manina’ from La bohème – a fitting choice since he has already been engaged to play this role with British Youth Opera in September, then cover it for English National Opera in the autumn.
