NI Opera is set to host its first ‘Festival of Voice’ which aims to find new talent via a vocal competition for young singers. The competition will be held in the historic village of Glenarm from 9-11th September and will feature five finalists from across Ireland who will take part in master classes, workshops and compete in a grand final which the public can attend. There will also be two recitals by established opera singers Kathryn Harries and Ailish Tynan open to the public, and workshops held with local schools to introduce children and teenagers to the art form of opera. The winner of the competition will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to share a stage with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in the Ulster Hall on October 30th as part of the Belfast Festival at Queen’s. After a rigorous selection process, NI Opera has selected the following five finalists:
Sarah Richmond, mezzo-soprano from Carrickfergus; Ben McAteer, baritone from Newry; Lynda-Jane Workman, mezzo-soprano from Coleraine; Rachel Kelly, mezzo-soprano from Dublin; and John Porter, tenor from Lifford.

Tickets for the recitals and grand final go on sale soon – check out www.niopera.com for more details.