Filipe Manu Wins The Mathy And The IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition For 2017
Congratulations to 24-year-old Filipe Manu, tenor, from New Zealand who last Saturday won the prestigious Marianne Mathy Scholarship (The Mathy) and was judged the overall winner of the IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition.
Held at the Concert Hall, The Concourse Chatswood, five emerging singers vied for almost $200,000 in prizes and opportunities. Filipe’s award-winning performance of Pastorello d’un povero armento from Rodelinda by Handel and Ah mes amis…Pour mon ame from La Fille Du Rėgiment by Donizetti gave him the winning edge.
In addition to The Mathy Scholarship valued at $30,000 Filipe also received a scholarship to attend the International Vocal Arts Institute New York and received the most votes on the night to win the Audience Prize. The four other singers competing on Saturday night were Damian Arnold, 25-year-old tenor from NSW, Daniel Carison, baritone, 24 from Victoria and Paull-Anthony Keightley, bass baritone 25 from WA, along with the only female in the top five Shikara Ringdahl, 25-year-old mezzo-soprano from Queensland.
ABC Classic FM’s Margaret Throsby compered the evening and the singers were accompanied by the Opera Australia Orchestra conducted by Dr Nicholas Milton AM. Surprise Special Guest performer on the night was Icelandic baritone Olafur Sigurdarson who also joined the adjudication panel led by National Adjudicator Catrin Johnsson.
