Dame Kiri picks Scots soprano for Proms prize

Published on Friday 3 September 2010 18:08

A "uniquely special" Scottish soprano has won a nationwide search to find an opera star.

Shuna Scott Sendall, who lives in Glasgow's West End, swept aside four other singers to win the final of the BBC Radio 2 Kiri Prize.

Each of the five performed two arias and was accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Martin Yates.

Ms Sendall, 34, performed Dich, teure Halle from Wagner's Tannhuser and Morr, Ma Prima In Grazia from Verdi's Un Ballo In Maschera.

They were judged by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, mezzo-soprano Anne Howells, conductor Robin Stapleton and director John Cox.

Ms Sendall said: "I am honoured to have been chosen as the winner of the Radio 2 Kiri Prize.

"It has been a great privilege to be part of this competition and to get the chance to work with Dame Kiri, Anne Howells and Robin Stapleton in the masterclass, and perform with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

"Words cannot express my delight at the opportunity I now have to perform alongside Dame Kiri at BBC Proms In The Park and I feel unbelievably excited and proud that I am able to do what I love best, sing."

Ms Sendall joined the Scottish Opera's Children's Chorus aged 12. She has been with Scottish Opera for around four years.