(Credit: Chris Christodoulou)

Soprano Hillary Cronin was named the winner of the 2021 Handel Singing Competition, taking home the £5000 prize and the Audience Prize. The 29-year-old artist performed selections from “Rinaldo,” ‘Semele,” and “Brockes Passion.”

The second prize winner of £2000 was mezzo-soprano Bethany Horak-Hallet. Baritone Kieran Rayner and baritone Feliz Kemp were also in the top four. All four finalists were given the opportunity to sing with Lawrence Cummings and the London Handel Orchestra.

This year’s competition took place at St George’s in Hanover Square, London in front of a live audience. The jury included Ian Partridge, Catherine Denley, Michael George, Tim Mead, and Oliver Mears.

The Handel Singing Competition has been a part of the London Handel Festival since 2002. This year there were over 200 applicants from more than 20 countries. The next competition will take place in Spring 2022.

The Festival Director Gregory Batsleer says, “The Handel Singing completion remains the jewel in the crown of the London Handel Festival. The standard across the entire competition has been one of the highest to date. Many congratulations to Hilary Cronin whose performance captivated us all who were there. We look forward to welcoming all finalists back to future festivals and watching their careers flourish. Nurturing the careers of young musicians is and will continue to be at the core of this festival’s mission. A huge thanks to all those particular individuals who supported this wonderful evening.”