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This release is under embargo until 8pm on Friday 30 July

Cardiff-based soprano Gwawr Edwards has been selected as one of the five finalists of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 2 Kiri Prize – Radio 2's nationwide search with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to find an opera star of the future.

Gwawr secured her place in the final with outstanding performances of Ach, Ich Fuhl's from Mozart's The Magic Flute and O Mio Babbino Caro from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, accompanied by the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Concert Orchestra in a semi-final concert at Ö÷²¥´óÐã Television Centre in London.

Her performance was judged by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, mezzo-soprano Anne Howells, renowned conductor Robin Stapleton and director John Cox and can be heard tonight – 30 July 2010 – in Radio 2's flagship live music programme, Friday Night Is Music Night, presented by Penny Smith, between 8-10pm.

This is the first of five semi-final concerts, each featuring three talented young singers performing for a place in the final. These concerts are broadcast over five weeks on Radio 2 from 30 July to 27 August.

Gwawr and four other singers will then go through to the final, which can be heard on Radio 2 on Friday 3 September between 8-10pm, presented by Penny Smith.

The winner of the Radio 2 Kiri Prize will perform with Dame Kiri at Ö÷²¥´óÐã Proms In The Park in London's Hyde Park on 11 September and be given the opportunity to attend a three-week residential course at the Solti Te Kanawa Accademia, in Italy.

Gwawr says: "It means everything to me to make it through to the final of the Radio 2 Kiri Prize. I have grown up idolising Dame Kiri as an opera star and was fortunate enough to perform in a masterclass for her two years ago.

"To work with her again, and to be recognised as one of the final five aspiring opera singers from the hundreds of talented singers that applied, is truly incredible."

Gwawr recently gained a Masters degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. The recipient of a number of awards, she has performed in venues including The Royal Albert Hall and Cadogan Hall in London and The Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

The Radio 2 Kiri Prize is the highlight of Friday Night Is Music Night's summer season of programmes and further demonstrates Radio 2's commitment to supporting talent across a wide range of genres.

It launched in January 2010 and, following regional auditions, 40 singers were invited to attend masterclasses in London with Dame Kiri, Anne Howells and Robin Stapleton.

SH3