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Russian wins Singer of the World Russian wins Singer of the World
(20 minutes later)
Soprano Ekaterina Shcherbachenko, from Russia, has won the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2009 final. The BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2009 final has been won by Russian soprano Ekaterina Shcherbachenko.
The 32-year-old beat four other finalists who came from Japan, Italy, the Czech Republic and the Ukraine. Speaking after the result was announced, the 32-year-old said it was the "happiest day" of her life.
Each were winners in concerts in St David's Hall, Cardiff, last week, before a panel of international judges and packed audiences. She beat four other finalists from Japan, Italy, the Ukraine and Czech Republic to win a trophy and £15,000.
Shcherbachenko performed in French and Italian in a packed St David's Hall, before closing in English with Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress.
The £2,000 Audience Prize, chosen by public telephone vote, was the youngest competitor - 21-year-old Italian tenor Giordano Lucà.
In all, 25 competitors were selected from more than 600 original entrants to the competition.In all, 25 competitors were selected from more than 600 original entrants to the competition.
The four other finalists were: soprano Eri Nakamura, 31, from Japan; tenor Giordano Luca, 21, from Italy; bass Jan Martiník, 26, from the Czech Republic and 30-year-old counter-tenor Yuriy Mynenko, from Ukraine. The four other finalists were: soprano Eri Nakamura, 31, from Japan; Luca, 21, from Italy; bass Jan Martiník, 26, from the Czech Republic and 30-year-old counter-tenor Yuriy Mynenko, from Ukraine.
On Saturday Martinik beat four other finalists, including Welsh soprano Natalya Romaniw, 22, from Morriston, Swansea, to win the competition's £5,000 song prize.On Saturday Martinik beat four other finalists, including Welsh soprano Natalya Romaniw, 22, from Morriston, Swansea, to win the competition's £5,000 song prize.
This year all the singers are eligible to benefit from a new bursary to help towards the development of their musical careers.This year all the singers are eligible to benefit from a new bursary to help towards the development of their musical careers.
A follower of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, Annie Sankey, has left the competition a bequest and a new bursary in her name to support singers who take part in the competition has been established.A follower of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, Annie Sankey, has left the competition a bequest and a new bursary in her name to support singers who take part in the competition has been established.
Menna Richards, director of BBC Cymru Wales, said: "The bursaries will help support the studies of competitors, including helping with travel and the purchase of musical scores."Menna Richards, director of BBC Cymru Wales, said: "The bursaries will help support the studies of competitors, including helping with travel and the purchase of musical scores."