Soprano Susanna Hurrell wins the 2010 John Kerr Award for English Song

An accomplished duo who regularly work together took two of the three prizes in the finals of the John Kerr Award for English Song, held at Finchcocks historical instrument museum in Kent, on 3 October. 24 year old soprano Susanna Hurrell took the top prize of £2000 (plus a recital opportunity); the Accompanist’s Prize of £500 went to her pianist, Sebastian Wybrew, who on this occasion accompanied her on several of the historical keyboard instruments that make up the Finchcocks collection. The second prize, of £1000, also went to a soprano: Stefanie True, a Canadian who now lives in The Hague.

The vocal winners were selected from a field of eight finalists – seven sopranos and one baritone - from all over the world. On October 3 they each gave a 25-minute public recital of varied English songs before a distinguished panel comprising the soprano Julie Kennard, the tenor Ian Partridge, and Dr Geoffrey Govier, Fortepianist and Professor of Fortepiano at the Royal College of Music.

Announcing the result, Julie Kennard, speaking on her colleagues’ behalf, explained that the adjudication panel had been looking for three key aspects: good presentation, a selection of songs that suited the performer’s individual voice, and clarity of text - ‘the first priority in English song’.

Susanna Hurrell’s performance more than fulfilled all these criteria – her diction in particular being commended as ‘absolutely perfect’. Her programme was full of real contrasts. It included the rarely performed setting of If Music be the Food of Love by John Clifton, and My soul is an enchanted boat by Maude Valerie White, a Victorian song that has been described as ‘one of the best in our language’.

Susanna is a graduate of the Royal College of Music (RCM), now studying with Patricia Rozario at the RCM International Opera School. She has already embarked on a varied solo career which extends to both the recital platform and the opera stage. 2010 engagements include singing Amarilli in Handel’s Il pastor fido in the London Handel Festival and recording songs for a CD of works by Gordon Carr, together with her accompanist in the John Kerr Award, Sebastian Whybrew.

BACKGROUND

The John Kerr Award for English Song was established in memory of the remarkable tenor John Kerr, after his premature death in 2004, by his many admirers including his partner Maureen Lyle, the lutenist Anthony Rooley, and Richard and Katrina Burnett of Finchcocks. In its content it reflects Kerr’s love of English song – of which he was a wonderful interpreter - and in its location it reflects the way in which his life was for many years involved with Finchcocks, for whom he gave many recitals and made three recordings. The John Kerr Award Trust is a registered charity no. 1121245. The competition takes place every two years, with the first competition having been held in 2006.

Notes to Editors

1. The Accompanist’s Prize was kindly donated by Margaret Searle.
2. The John Kerr Award is open to all voices but the winners of all three competitions held so far have been sopranos. The winners of the two previous John Kerr Awards were:
   2006: soprano Klaartje van Veldhoven, who is currently recording with Dutch early music group Contrasto Armonico as part of their project to record the complete Handel cantatas.
   2008: soprano Laura Mitchell, whose future engagements include Kristina/The Makropoulos Case at ENO, Gilda at Grange Park Opera and Hero/Beatrice et Benedict for WNO.
   
3. John Kerr first began singing professionally with the Glyndebourne Opera Company, where he sang in the chorus and undertook roles with the touring company. In 1973 he was offered a contract with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and worked with them for the rest of his life. He had an immense knowledge and understanding of the repertoire, but perhaps his greatest love was English song. When he became involved with Finchcocks he began researching and singing songs to be accompanied by the historical instruments to be found there. He made three recordings for Finchcocks, reflecting a wide historical period from lute songs by Thomas Campion to late Victorian ballads. He sang regularly at Finchcocks Open Days, where his particular ability to engage and amuse won him many friends. He was always ready to encourage others, and after his sudden death in 2004, the establishment of a competition for the promotion of the English Song Repertoire seemed the most fitting way to remember him.
4. Finchcocks is a fine Georgian manor, set in the countryside near Goudhurst, Kent. It houses the large and renowned collection of historical keyboard instruments put together by its owner Richard Burnett, leading exponent of the period piano. Finchcocks is now a musical centre and museum of international repute, and many events take place there. For more information visit www.finchcocks.co.uk

For more details about the competition, please visit the website at www.johnkerraward.org.uk or contact Maureen Lyle, Clifton Coach House, Camden Park, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5AA; telephone 01892 530049; maureen.lyle@googlemail.com