Press Releases

Muenchener Merkur Article (in German) 8 September 2009 http://www.merkur-online.de/nachrichten/kultur/erste-preis-fehlt-noch-461725.html Sydney Morning Herald Article 25 June 2009 http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/a-domingo-stole-our-ladies/2009/05/29/ 1243456733434.html The Australian Singing Competition Media Release 29 June 2006 MATHY WINNER MAKES THE A-LIST It might have seemed that the winner of the Marianne Mathy Scholarship, Anita Watson, had lost her voice over the last few weeks. In truth, she had been asked to keep silent about her imminent involvement in the big celebrity wedding that rocked Sydney last weekend. On Sunday 25th June however, Anita was able to deliver some exquisite soprano tones for an A-list congregation in Manly. Being engaged to sing at the wedding ceremony of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban is something any young singer would want to celebrate, but only afterwards could the well-guarded secret be revealed. While in Germany several months ago undertaking studies funded by her Mathy Scholarship, the twenty-five year old from Chatswood was booked by her agent to sing at a wedding in Sydney. Anita didn't realise she had scored the 'gig' of the year until the identity of the glamorous couple was finally disclosed to her only a few weeks ago. From the choir-loft of Manly's Cardinal Ceretti Memorial Chapel Anita led the singing of the hymn Praise my soul the King of Heaven. Standing at the altar during the signing of the register she performed the aria Chi il bel sogno di Doretta from Puccini's opera La Rondine. While the piece is a favourite of hers, the aria was specially requested and she believes it was Nicole's mother who chose all the music for the ceremony. Anita said she had sensed that the congregation would have liked to applaud and was delighted when one of the Urban clan mouthed to her that her singing was "beautiful". The young soprano said she wasn't too nervous before the event, having had one rehearsal in the chapel and another with her distinguished accompanist Kate Golla, but she did find singing at such celebrity nuptials a "surreal" experience, especially with stars like Hugh Jackman present. She also noted the extremely tight security: even the musicians were asked to hand in their mobile phones. Anita thought the bride had looked wonderful and the setting was magical, with white carnations and lilies adorning the chapel and thousands of white candles around the aisles and the altar. She said that Nicole and Keith looked very happy together and seemed deeply moved by the whole occasion. Singing Ode to Joy from Beethoven's Symphony No.9 as the handsome bridal couple left the chapel, Anita was particularly thrilled that a glowing Nicole, now Mrs Urban, turned to whisper an appreciative "thank you". This year is turning out to be an exciting one for the Mathy winner, and Anita said it had been a thrill to be involved in something as "beautiful and classy". ********************** 2005 MATHY AWARDS WINNER ANNOUNCED Bonynge conducts Sydney Symphony and young stars in sell-out concert! Tickets for the Finals Concert of the 2005 Mathy Awards were sold out well in advance of Thursday night (3 November) when 5 Finalists competed on the stage of the Sydney Conservatorium's Verbrugghen Hall. Both the judges and audience selected Anita Watson as the major winner and in her speech Anita acknowledged what a thrill and a privilege it had been for the singers to work with Maestro Richard Bonynge. Added to that was the honour of sharing the stage with Dame Joan Sutherland who assisted in the presentation to the prizewinner and a tribute to long-time supporter of the Competition Dr Haruhisa Handa. It is Dr Handa's generosity that has enabled the Australian Singing Competition to engage a top orchestra for the Finals since 1998 and the winning combination of Sydney Symphony and Richard Bonynge looks 'on track' again for next year's Finals Concert. Anita Watson, a 25 year old soprano from Sydney, is a graduate of Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Australian Opera Studio in Perth. She has had considerable performance experience including concerts internationally and next year takes up an engagement with Cologne Opera made available by the German Operatic Award. From the Mathy Awards Anita takes home a total of $60,000 in cash as well as receiving several other valuable awards and opportunities, which include a month in Tel Aviv at the world-renowned Israel Vocal Arts Institute. Lucinda-Mirikata Deacon and Derek Welton have earned coveted places at colleges in the UK to further their studies. All of this should provide strong incentive for other classical singers under 26 to enter this prestigious competition!