South African triumphs at London Handel Competition

Eloff (pictured above) claimed the Adair Prize at the competition's final, which took place at St George's Hanover Square church in London on 3 April. The prize includes £2,000 and a recital at next year's London Handel Festival.

Guildhall student and RSAMD graduate Rhona McKailtook took second place. The 26-year-old soprano from Ayrshire received the Michael Oliver Prize of £1,000 and a recital at the festival.

Spanish-born mezzo-soprano Clara Mouriz was awarded the Audience Prize and the Accompanist's Prize of £200 went to Erik Dippenaar. Members of the London Handel Orchestra, directed by Laurence Cummings, also accompanied the five finalists.

The seventh Handel Singing Competition attracted 101 applications, with more than 70 singers performing live in the first round.

This year's London Handel Festival, which incorporates the competition, continues until 24 April and closes with a production of the composer's opera Atalanta at the Britten Theatre, Royal College of Music.

http://www.handel.cswebsites.org

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