2011 Cardiff Singer of the World Winner Valentina Nafornita Sings "Regnava del silenzio" from Lucia di Lammermoor

Last weekend was the grand finals of the 2011 edition of the prestigious Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. Soprano Valentina Nafornita from Moldova, at 24 the youngest competitor, walked away with the top prize as well as the audience prize.  As usual, the level of the competition was extremely high. The jury panel included Dame Kiri Te kanawa, conductor Alexander Polianichko, Teatro Massimo (Palermo) artistic director Lorenzo Mariani, mezzo Marilyn Horne, tenor Dennis O'Neill and baritone Hakan Hagegard.  Nafornita's win was somewhat of a surprise, as the pundits (commentators that included former Cardiff winner soprano Nicole Cabell and pianist Iain Burnside) thought it would go to Ukrainian baritone Andrei Bondarenko.  But Valentina won the day.  Her voice is rich and dark-hued, with a secure top, a bit reminiscent of Anna Netrebko. Here is Nafornita singing the big aria from Lucia di Lammermoor. 

- Joseph K. So