Jamie Barton Wins Cardiff Singer of the World “Double” Prize

HGO Studio Alumna First Since 2001 to Win Both Song and Opera Competitions

Houston, TX.—June 24, 2013: Mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, a Studio member at HGO for two seasons, has won the prestigious Cardiff Singer of the World Competition in Wales. Previous award winners include luminaries such as Karita Mattila (Leonore in HGO’s Fidelio, 2011), Dmitri Hvorostovsky (HGO’s Simon Boccanegra, 2006), and Bryn Terfel (Falstaff in HGO’s 2005 production).

Barton is the first singer since Marius Brenciu in 2001 to win both Singer of the World and the Song Prize at the same competition, and only the third American to have won the Singer of the World title since the contest’s inception in 1983. (Americans Nicole Cabell and David Malis won in 2005 and 1985, respectively.) Barton is the first American to win the Song Prize.

In her first season (2007–08) as an HGO Studio member, Barton performed in HGO’s world premiere of The Refuge and sang the Third Lady in The Magic Flute. During the following season, she sang Ursula in Beatrice and Benedict and Giovanna in Rigoletto.

She returns to HGO for Fricka in Das Rheingold in April 2014.

You may hear her stunning performance of “Acerba voluttà” from Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur by clicking here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01bssjb.

“The Houston Grand Opera Studio has developed some of the finest singers working in opera today. Jamie Barton is one of them and we are very proud that she has represented the United States and Houston Grand Opera on such an important stage. The fact that Jamie swept the Cardiff competition is a testament to her outstanding ability. We are all thrilled that she will be coming back to Houston this spring as Fricka in Das Rheingold—the first installment of the Houston Ring cycle,” commented HGO Managing Director Perryn Leech.

The Houston Grand Opera Studio is one of the most highly respected young artist programs in the country. For more than thirty years, the HGO Studio has served young singers and pianist/coaches, providing a bridge between full-time training and full-fledged operatic careers. Each year after an exhaustive nationwide search, a hand-selected group of talented individuals is brought here to Houston to work alongside the best in the business at Houston Grand Opera. On the main stage and in recital, these artists hone their craft as singing actors. During a residency of up to three years, each performer receives personalized training from an expert team while gaining invaluable performance experience at the highest level.

Alumni of the HGO Studio perform at the best opera houses all around the world—and internationally renowned artists such as Joyce DiDonato, Scott Hendricks, and Ana María Martínez still regularly return to their home stage at the Wortham Center.

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Since its inception in 1955, Houston Grand Opera has grown from a small regional organization into an internationally renowned opera company. HGO enjoys a reputation for commissioning and producing new works, including fifty world premieres and six American premieres since 1973. In addition to producing and performing world-class opera, HGO contributes to the cultural enrichment of Houston and the nation through a diverse and innovative program of performances, community events, and education projects that reaches the widest possible public. HGO has toured extensively, including trips to Europe and Asia, and it is the only opera company to have won a Tony, two Grammy awards, and two Emmy awards. HGO’s performances are broadcast nationally over the WFMT Radio Network. Through HGOco, Houston Grand Opera creates opportunities for Houstonians of all ages and backgrounds to observe, participate in, and create art. Its Song of Houston project is an ongoing initiative to create and share work based on stories that define the unique character of our city and its diverse cultures. Since 2007, HGOco has commissioned thirteen new works along with countless innovative community projects, reaching more than 900,000 people in the greater Houston metropolitan area.