QSIMC: Presenting the prizes

Ladies and gentlemen,
music lovers and dear friends of the Queen Sonja International Music Competition!

This competition seeks to provide exceptional young artists with the experience necessary to promote international careers. We know from previous years that the competition has been a significant milestone in their development – and that it has contributed to important opportunities.

An eminent jury consisting of active and highly respected personalities is a crucial factor in achieving this goal. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the jury, chaired by Sophie de Lint. Their important contribution to the competition is highly appreciated.

In order to provide unique learning experiences for our singers, we need the best of teachers: Thank you to our masterclass instructors: Angelika Kirchschlager and Francisco Negrin – for sharing their expertise. It has been a particular privilege for me to attend a master class and to see some of the hard work and technical precision that lies behind. To us, the audience, everything seems to be easy and without any effort. Now, I know how much time and energy you all invest to make this possible.

In addition to supporting individual musical artistry, I believe that the competition contributes to widen the Norwegian classical music scene. The program this year has included a number of concerts and events that have been open to the public – almost like a festival! We also hope to inspire an even larger audience with this evening's broadcast from our unique opera house.

I hope we will continue to strengthen the relations between the participating institutions. I am delighted to see that the competition has become an important meeting place for the international opera community. It is my sincere wish that it will continue to expand in the future and remain a valuable gathering for everyone involved.

And to you, all wonderful singers: Thank you for sharing your talent with us. I am full of admiration for what you already have achieved. I am certain that you all will have successful journeys ahead of you! So good luck to every one of you!

But before you embark on your next adventure, it is my great privilege to announce the winners of the Queen Sonja International Music Competition 2015.

The third prize goes to Yuriy Yurchuk...

The second prize goes to Elsa Dreisig …

Finally, the first prize in The Queen Sonja Music Competition 2015 goes to Lise Davidsen.