Ante Jerkunica in the finals of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2007
For the first time Croatia is represented at one of the most important competitions for the young opera singers in the world, which has been taking place every other year since 1983 in Cardiff. Bass Ante Jerkunica, who is 29 and comes from Split, will represent Croatia in this year's final. The competition is open for singers between 18 and 36 years of age who find themselves at the start of their careers. Ante Jerkunica has been chosen in a tough competition. As many as 1000 young singers applied but only 677 of them, from 64 countries, have been invited to audition for this year's competition.
Ante Jerkunica in the finals of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2007
For the first time Croatia is represented at one of the most important competitions for the young opera singers in the world, which has been taking place every other year since 1983 in Cardiff. Bass Ante Jerkunica, who is 29 and comes from Split, will represent Croatia in this year's final. The competition is open for singers between 18 and 36 years of age who find themselves at the start of their careers. Ante Jerkunica has been chosen in a tough competition. As many as 1000 young singers applied but only 677 of them, from 64 countries, have been invited to audition for this year's competition.
Julien Smith, a musical adviser to the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition, has selected the final 25 young hopefuls who not only have exceptional talent and knowledge but also posses “magical quality” that distinguishes them from the others who are perhaps equally talented. They are competing from 9th until 17th June in St. David's Hall in Cardiff, and Jerkunica is the only bass among them. He performed on Sunday, 10th June in the top evening slot with arias from Verdi's Simon Boccanegra and Ernani and from Massent's Herodiade. The audience, which packed the Hall, gave him ovations and the compliments continued to pour in at the reception that the BBC Cymry Wales organised after the concert for the representatives of the opera houses from around the world. The following day Jerkunica took part in the educational programme for the children from the local schools in Wales for whom he sang Dalmatian songs in Croatian.
The concert was broadcast live on the BBC Radio 3, and the BBC 4 showed it the following day. Quite a few members of the audience said that Jerkunica was their favourite. The panel of international jurors will decide who is going to be this year's a winner, but there is also a prize awarded by the public. The audience in the Hall and those who followed the concert on either radio or television can vote until Sunday, 17th June at 11 am, after the last concert has taken place on Thursday, 14th June. The winner will be disclosed at the final concert that starts at 5 pm on Sunday, 17th June. It is possible to vote on 08700 100 900 or on the web page www.bbc.co.uk/cardiffsinger
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