After a harrowing 6-hour final round of Tafelmusik’s first ever Vocal Competition this Saturday afternoon at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, Jeanne Lamon Hall, the jury returned to announced three winners from a pool of nine finalists: mezzo-soprano Kim Leeds, tenor Zach Finkelstein, and baritone Jonathan Woody. The Audience Choice Award also went to Kim Leeds.
The four-member jury included Jeanne Lamon, Mary Morrison, Catherine Robbin, and Ivars Taurins, who heard the vocalists perform works from Zelenka’s Missa omnium sanctorum, Bach’s cantata or passion, and a Handel opera or oratorio accompanied by Christopher Bagan on harpsichord and organ.
Each of the three winners will be featured as soloists in Tafelmusik’s upcoming Zelenka’s Missa omnium sanctorum on April 28 – May 1, 2016. They will also receive a $2,000 cash prize, and will participate in a series of masterclasses with the legendary German soprano Dorothee Mields.
Tafelmusik added the new vocal competition this year as part of their artist training programme that seeks to identify rising stars in the community and beyond.
It was opened and announced internationally to Altos (mezzo-sopranos, countertenors, contraltos), tenors, and baritones/basses age 35 and under.
Musical Toronto interviewed Zach Finkelstein back in 2012. He has a compelling story: As former Bay Street accountant, he left his career to follow his dream as a singer.
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