BBC's Cardiff Singer of the World Announces 2021 Winners

Held every two years, the competition announced baritone Gihoon Kim as its first prize winner

This year’s competition featured 16 singers from 15 countries. Due to COVID-19, it was unable to welcome audiences at St. David’s Hall in Cardiff, Wales.

Baritone Gihoon Kim from the Republic of Korea took home £20,000 in prize money and the Cardiff Trophy. A graduate of the Yonsei University in Seoul, the 29-year-old received a scholarship at the Junge Oper Hannover, where he sang the roles of Demetrius in "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" and Marullo in "Rigoletto."

"It has been an inspiring journey — and one that I will definitely remember for the rest of my career," he stated.

The Dame Joan Sutherland Audience Prize, in which television audience members voted for at home, was awarded to mezzo-soprano Claire Barnett-Jones of England. The prize consists of £2,500 and a trophy.

David Jackson, the artistic director of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, said: "This year's edition was one of the most extraordinary in BBC Cardiff Singer of the World's history.”

"It was heart-warming to witness the dedication, resilience, and focus of all the 16 competitors as they prepared for their performances in unprecedented circumstances, and then gave their all on stage.”