2007 Competition Results
The Kohn Foundation in association with The Wigmore Hall Trust
Thursday 6 September 2007
Prizewinners
First Prize for Singers Martha Guth soprano with Spencer Myer
Second Prize for Singers Robin Tritschler tenor with François Salignat
Third Prize for Singers Ben Johnson tenor with James Southall
Pianist’s Prize Joseph Middleton
Jean Meikle Prize for a Duo Daniel Johannsen tenor with Elena Larina
Martha Guth - Soprano
Since winning the Wigmore Hall International Song Competition, Martha has gone on to be represented by Pinnacle Arts Management in New York, where she lives. In recital Martha has been heard this past year for two recitals in New York: at the Liederkranz with Dalton Baldwin at the Piano, and at Trinity Wall Street with Spencer Myer. Other recitals include New Orleans with pianist Spencer Myer, multiple concerts in Vancouver with pianists Eirka Switzer and Alison D'amato, an Aldeburgh Connection recital in Toronto, and concerts with the Floristan Recital Series based in Boston. She has sung the roles of Donna Anna in Don Giovanni And the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro at Opera Lyra, in Ottawa Canada, and sung with the Santa Fe Symphony, and Clavecin en concert in Montreal (recorded live for the CBC radio in Canada). Martha is very much looking forward to her Wigmore Hall Debut in January for the Schubert Birthday Concert with Graham Johnson.
http://www.pinnaclearts.com/artist.php?id=309
Robin Tritschler - Tenor
Robin is now managed by Askonas Holt Artists Agency, and has reently worked with the Classical Opera Company, RTE Dublin, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Dresden Philharmonie, Welsh National Opera and the Royal Dublin Society. In the 2008/09 season Robin will join the Welsh National Opera as a company member where roles will include Rodrigo (Otello), Count Almaviva (Il barbiere di Siviglia), Nemorino (L'elisir d'amore) and Marzio (Mitridate).
http://www.askonasholt.co.uk/green/green/home.nsf/ArtistDetails/Robin%20Tritschler
Ben Johnson - Tenor
Since coming third in this competition, Ben Johnson has gone onto win the 2008 Kathleen Ferrier Awards, made his debut at Scottish Opera, performed in the opening concert of Kings Place in London with Iain Burnside. Ben is currently studying at the National Opera Studio. He is now managed by Intermusica Artists Management, and is an Associate Artist of the Classical Opera Company.
http://www.ferrierawards.org.uk/main/News.asp
Joseph Middleton - Piano
Since winning the Pianist’s Prize in the 2007 Wigmore Hall/Kohn Foundation International Song Competition, Joseph Middleton has partnered a number of established stars of the operatic world including Sir Thomas Allen, Sally Burgess, Katarina Karnéus, Andrew Kennedy, Ann Murray DBE, Joan Rodgers and Amanda Roocroft in addition to working with many leading singers of his own generation. He has been invited to programme a recital for Wigmore’s Master Series in 2010/11 with artists including Lucy Crowe, Clara Mouriz, Allan Clayton and Ronan Collett. Joseph’s competition successes also include the accompanist’s prizes at the Kathleen Ferrier Awards and Royal Over-Seas League Competition and he continues to appear at the major UK festivals including the Aldeburgh, Cheltenham and Edinburgh Fringe (for the ROSL series). Joseph has made live broadcasts for BBC Radio 3, gives frequent recitals at such venues as the Wigmore Hall, Royal Opera House, Royal Festival Hall, Purcell Room and St John’s, Smith Square, performs at festivals throughout Europe and will make his North American debut with a series of concerts in the Ravinia Festival in Chicago during the summer of 2009 when he joins the staff of the Steans Institute. In 2006 he took up the post of College Musician at Pembroke College Cambridge and in 2008 a Junior Fellowship to the vocal faculty at the Royal College of Music. He studied on an EMI Scholarship at the RAM with Michael Dussek and Malcolm Martineau.
www.josephmiddleton.com
Daniel Johannsen - Tenor
Since being awarded with the Jean Meikle Prize for a Duo with Elena Larina, Daniel has appeared as Evangelista in Bach's St Matthew Passion at Wiener Konzerthaus, performed a concert at the Salzburger Pfingstfestspiele 2008, given a Masterclass on Schubert, Schumann and Wolf at The Buchmann-Mehta School of Music (Tel Aviv's Music Academy), and now has a Guest appointment at Volksoper Wien for the current season.
http://www.danieljohannsen.com/
Elena Larina - Piano
Following her success with Daniel Johannsen, Elena has given a Masterclass for German Lied at the Baritonale Festival in Hamburg, and at the Ukrainian National Music Academy Kiev. She was appointed as official Lied coach of the Young Singers' Project at the Salzburg Festival 2008, and following its great success this year, she has been invited for 2009 too. Last season she gave recitals (Liederabende) in Konzerthaus Wien, Philahrmonie Kiew, ACF London, and in the 2008/09 season she will perform in a recital cycle in "Bösendorfer Saal" Vienna "Elena Larina and her Singers" (4 recitals with different singers)
www.elenalarina.com
