They sing of life and death, hope and despair - yet the aspiring stars taking part in BBC Singer of the World in Cardiff are involved in nothing more than a competition. The week's preliminary rounds have been variable, and not even the most thrilling performances entirely made up for singers who clearly did not fulfil their audition potential.
It is musicality and the ability to communicate that sets apart the true performers, and here the 32-year-old mezzo Edyta Kulczak impressed with real dramatic fire. Elizabeth Donovan, a 23-year-old soprano, has a similarly noteworthy voice: her singing was accomplished and displayed acute sensibilities of 23-year-old. Baritone Roland Wood is another singer worth looking out for: his heartfelt Tchaikovsky helped him win his round on Thursday.
The elevation of the Song Prize to a separate competition is a development questioned by many, especially when the added pressure of offering two 20-minute programmes (recital and orchestral) may have undermined performances. For this competition to retain its status, quality must remain paramount, even while conceding that the singing profession is also about stamina and survival of the fittest. But without casualties, reserve mezzo Marianne Beate Kielland would not have been heard - which would have been a real shame. She brought a glowing intensity to Gluck and Mozart as well her native Grieg and Sibelius, and the unforced beauty of her voice was in marked contrast to the high polish but ultimate artificiality of sopranos such as Lauren Skuce.
Other than Elena Manistina (whose mezzo is a big, wide, rather monochromatic sound), those competing in tomorrow night's final are those who stood out in both competitions. There are grounds for optimism when a baritone like Tommi Hakala - whose aria from Bach's Christmas Oratorio was an early highlight - comes through even though he didn't win his round. He competes against baritone, Markus Werba, whose intelligent though hitherto underwhelming singing should improve on Sunday. The two sopranos fighting it out are the very gusty and dynamic Angela Marambio, who recently shone in Welsh National Opera's La Bohème, and the finely controlled Erin Wall, also a strong contender.
Television viewers will have missed what may yet prove to be the most memorable music of the week: the integrity and profoundly sensitive playing of pianist Llyr Williams. His recitals with Wall and with the baritone Tae-Hun Kim were simply riveting.
