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International Handel Singing Competition Final

International Handel Singing Competition Final

The International Handel Singing Competition is regarded by many as the jewel in the crown of the London Handel Festival. It has been the launchpad for many of today’s most well-known singers. Previous finalists include Helen Charlston, Lucy Crowe, Iestyn Davies, and Hilary Cronin. The 2024 winner was baritone William Frost.

Join presenter and broadcaster Petroc Trelawny and the acclaimed period instrument ensemble Academy of Ancient Music for our 2025 Competition Final.

Presenter Petroc Trelawny 

Director/Violin Bojan Čičić

Academy of Ancient Music 

This years finalists are:

Lucija Varsic mezzo-soprano
Maryam Wocial soprano
Mathilda Sidén Silfver mezzo-soprano
Peter Edge baritone
Rumyana Kostova soprano
Steffen Bjerre Jespersen countertenor

Repertoire

Peter Edge baritone

  1. Veggio da questi amor…  Amor Da Guerra e Pace Tamerlano HWV 18
  2. Pensa a chi geme d’amor piagata Alcina HWV 34
  3. O voi, del mio poter ministri eletti… Sorge infausta una procella Orlando HWV 31

Maryam Wocial soprano

  1. Dunque i lacci d’un volto… Ah crudel! Rinaldo HWV 7
  2. O thou bright sun… With darkness deep Theodora HWV 68
  3. Da tempeste Giulio Cesare in Egitto HWV 17

Rumyana Kostova soprano

  1. Quanto più fien tenaci…Scherza in mar la navicella Lotario HWV 26
  2. È tale Otton? Tale mio sposo!…Falsa immagine Ottone, re di Germania HWV 15
  3. Ma, pria che d’empia morte…Renda cenere il tiranno Agrippina condotta a morire HWV 110

Steffen Bjerre Jespersen countertenor

  1. Al lampo dell’armi Giulio Cesare in Egitto HWV 17
  2. O was hab’ ich verfluchter Mensch getan?… O Lasst diese Tat nicht ungerochen!” Brockes-Passion HWV 48
  3. Che più si tarda omai… Stille amare… Inumano fratel Tolomeo, re d’Egitto HWV 25
  4. O sacred oracles of truth Belshazzar HWV 61

Mathilda Sidén Silfver mezzo

  1. Aure deh per pieta Giulio Cesare in Egitto HWV17 
  2. Some dire event hangs o’er our heads… Scenes of horror, scenes of woe Jeptha HWV 70 
  3. Al lampo dell’armi Giulio Cesare in Egitto HWV 17
  4. She’s gone, disdaining liberty and life…New scenes of joy Theodora HWV 68

Lucija Varsic mezzo

  1. Al gaudio, al riso, al canto Giove in Argo HWV A14 
  2. When beauty sorrows liv‘ry wears  Hercules HWV 60
  3. Stille amare Tolomeo, re d’Egitto HWV 25
  4. No, no, I‘ll take no less Semele HWV 58

Concert length: 2hrs 30 mins (including one interval) 

Tickets: £55, £45, £35, £25 (partially restricted view), £15 heavily restricted view)