Classical music competition returns

Welsh-born Mari Wyn Williams will be performing at the Classical Cafe. The event will showcase new classical artists who will be competing for Acapela studio time, to produce a promotional video.

Mari singing at the Commonwealth coming home event for Team Wales [Photo from BBC]

At this unique competition, each of the four new artists will have 20 minute allotted sets in which to conduct their performances. The audience will then have the opportunity to vote for their favourite.

One of the main highlights of the evening will be the performance from Mari, a multi award-winning soprano from Cardiff.

The competition “Gives the artists the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience. Practice like this is beneficial to performers. The prize is also very appealing to young musicians as you can win a recording session,” said Mari.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s42SxiWyGQY#t=44[/youtube]

The event is taking place on the 14 November from 8pm at the Acapela Studio

Heol Y Pentre, pentyrch, Cardiff, CF15 9QD

Tickets are still available

Mari Wyn Williams to perform at the Classical Cafe [Photo from Maris’ Biography]

Alt Cardiff asked Mari Wyn Williams,

How does the classical cafe appeal to young people?

It gives the artists the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience, practice like this is beneficial to performers. The prize is also very appealing to young artists as you can win a recording session. I’m increasingly being asked as a singer, to provide a CD demo that has to be recorded within a year, as the voice can change a lot in that period of time. Therefore as a singer I’m in the studio a lot. To win this prize would be amazing as there is a lot of financial pressure on us.

What does it mean to you to be performing at the event?

I’m very honoured as they only invite a select number of artists each time.

How does the event help emerging or new artists?

As I said before, it gives us the chance to win the demo in a professional studio. This will take the financial hardship from us. Being in the classical world can be costly between demos, headshots, audition travel, hotels…It would take the pressure off a lot.

Where is your favourite place in the world to perform?

My favourite experience so far was performing at an opera gala at the WMC in Cardiff, what a beautiful acoustic. Also, the Teatro Fi Zaragoza where I won 3rd place in the Montserrat Caballe competition in 2013.

Do you think classical music can appeal to the younger generation?

In my profession I see many young artists, it obviously still appeals to many.