No Russians allowed in this competition
NewsThe Elizabeth Connell Prize International Singing Competition is one of the most trusted testing grounds for new vocal talent.
Taking place this summer in London, Russians have been ruled out.
Here are the quarter-finalists:
1. Iida Antola – Finland
2. Angel Azzarra – USA
3. Claire Barnett-Jones – England
4. Georgia Mae Bishop – Jersey (Channel Islands)
5. Menna Cazel – Wales/Germany
6. Bronwyn Douglass – Australia
7. Annabella-Vesela Ellis – Bulgaria/UK
8. Anna Erokhina – Ukraine
9. Rebecca Gulinello – Australia/Italy
10. Sonja Herranen – Finland
11. Carolyn Holt – Ireland
12. Inna Husieva – Ukraine
13. Chelsea Laggan – USA
14. Jihyun Cecilia Lee – South Korea
15. Stephanie Pfundt – USA
16. Anne-Lise Polchlopek – France
17. Helena Sa Cavalcante Schuback – Sweden
18. Oksana Sliubyk – Ukraine
19. Libby Sokolowski – USA
20. Felicity Tomkins – New Zealand
21. Anne Marie Vergoossen – Netherlands
22. Melissa Zgouridi – USA/Brazil
London Heat: 31 May, 2023
London Semi-Final: 1 June, 2023
Final Rehearsal: 2 June, 2023
London Final at Wigmore Hall: 3 June, 2023 at 1pm.
Italians can’t sing in comparison with Ukrainians !
Until Russian aggression continues, when Russia reportedly continuing to commit war crimes, it’s ok. Compared to lost lives of young Ukrainians, absence of Russian names in the list isn’t a big disaster.
Discriminating young singers who have never had a choice of where their parents gave birth to them will surely stop the war. What a bold move toward punishing the war criminals. Such disgusting hypocrisy.
Obviously an injustice to discriminate based on nationality. The Soviet Union contained many outstanding musicians, and they were not (and should not have been) held responsible for the crimes of their government.
“No Jews allowed in this competition” could rather be another announcement, circa 1940.
The witch-hunting changes its names but not certain human minds.
Would we ever see Art following the rotten footsteps of Politics, or should Art be autonomous and build bridges among human souls, regardless of the political scenario of a given time/space?
Why not invite Russians & Ukrainians to sing a duet, therefore testifying to the world over that “some” kind of harmony between people is still possible, at least through the magic of Art?