QSIMC 2017: Presenting the prizes

Ladies and Gentlemen,
music lovers and
friends of The Queen Sonja International Music Competition,

We are proud to experience the growing international recognition as one of the leading classical singing competitions of today.

This year, the world's top talent of young singers have entrusted our Competition in Oslo as their favorite career partner. A record 241 singers from 49 nations have applied to take part. After many exciting rounds among the chosen 40 participants, we have reached the end of our grand finale.

The five finalists and the outstanding Opera Orchestra, conducted by John Helmer Fiore, have thrilled us with their brilliant performances.

Let me express my warmest gratitude to all those who have made this year's Competition such a success. I would especially like to thank the distinguished Jury and their Chair, Birgitta Svendén, for the crucial contribution during the past ten days in Oslo.

I would also like to thank Ben Heppner for giving the semi-finalists an extraordinary master class at Oscarshall.

Dear finalists,

I am full of admiration. You have touched our hearts. Let me thank each and every one of you for your great performances tonight. We have really been thrilled.

Success in this competition can be measured not only by the prizes won, but by the confidence in your artistic abilities that I hope you have gained during these days in Oslo.

Some of you will have the unique opportunity to sing at our two prestigious laureate concerts this November, with The Danish National Symphony Orchestra in Copenhagen and with the Bolshoi Orchestra at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.

I wish all of you the best of luck in your future careers.

I must take the opportunity to thank Mari Eriksmoen and Audun Iversen for such a surprise tonight. Thank you, everyone! Thank you so much!

Now - it might be of some interest to announce who has won the first, second, and third prize?

The third prize goes to Alexander Roslavets.

The second prize goes to Giovanni Sala.

Finally, the first prize in The Queen Sonja Music Competition 2017 goes to Seungju Bahg.