Looks like being 'Game On' in Cardiff. After Heat 3's sensational Chinese bass-baritone tonight we had the thrill of Ms Japan, a superb soprano: Mari Moriya from Japan. Apparently she's already sung at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, so I'm not sure what hse's doing in a competition. But what the heck, she's perfectly entitled
The first three competitors all definitely had their strengths and all were a pleasure to hear - Ida Falk Winland (Sweden, soprano), Owen Gilhooly (Ireland, baritone) and Anna Viktorova (Russia, mezzo). Of the three Anna showed the most potential. Mary King articulated what I was vaguely feeling - 25 years old, and a mezzo, she will mature and improve, and will be exceedingly good in ten years time.
Of the remaining two. Well, I'm afraid I learnt the result last night by clicking on Opera Daddy's Blog. Even so, listening to him was a bit like watching a friend, in a way, and I was delighted at what I heard. Of course, it's only manners to be sucky to people on their own blog, I can be more honest on here. He is a very attractive man, although a bit young for me. He also came over as very likeable on stage - which actually, perhaps was not so cool when all his roles were baddies. An interesting repertoire ie I only knew one of the three pieces. I enjoyed his performance, it was definitely one of my very favourites so far this week (I've watched, but not blogged Tuesday's), and I would like to see him in the final.
But I already knew, and it was obvious from the first minute or so of her performance that Ms Japan was going to win. A lovely performance of the Bellini. The Caro nome was delightful, although probably the weakest of her three pieces, and the Der Hölle Rache was a real stormer. I'm still backing Mr China, but I think it will be very interesting on Sunday.
