Sydney-based soprano Laura King was awarded the first prize (the Mietta Prize) at the final of the Mietta Song Competition on 17 July 2016 at the Australian National Academy of Music, South Melbourne. Dedicated to promoting the performance and wider appreciation of Art Song, the Mietta Song Competition is a biennial contest for classical singers and pianists.
This year’s judging panel consisted of Professor Mel Waters, Dame Felicity Lott, Peter Coleman-Wright and Caroline Almonte.
In addition to the $5000 awarded for first prize, Laura won the O’Donnell family prize and the Arnold and Mary Bram prize for best Australian song. Receiving second prize was soprano Zoe Drummond.
The Hugh D. T. Williamson prize (for the first prize pianist) of $5000 was awarded to Laura’s accompanist Jonathan Wilson, whilst the second placed pianist was Benjamin Burton, who accompanied Zoe. The audience choice prize went to Melbourne countertenor Max Riebl.
The exceptional standard of performances and enthusiastic audience response was a credit to the legacy of Mietta O’Donnell.