Third of finalists at Queen Sonja Competition are baritones!

Kartal Karagedik as Don Giovanni

The semi-finalists in the Queen Sonja Vocal Competition were announced with four baritones amongst the final twelve. In a competition that was heavily loaded with female voice, it was a sign of the healthy state of baritone talent that they represented a third of the singers moving ahead. 

Advancing are American Brandon Cedel, Turk Kartal Karagedik, Croatian Krešimir Stražanac and Moldavian Oleg Tilbulco. They will compete against six sopranos and two tenors. None of the five mezzos advanced.      

Brandon Cedel sings "Vi ravviso" from La Sonnambula at the George London Competition:

The Semi-final concert will occur on Sunday, August 18th at the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. Five finalist will move on and perform on Friday, August 23rd. That concert will also include the world premiere of new overture by Jan Erik Mikalsen, commissioned by Queen Sonja International Music Competition with support from the Norwegian Arts Council.

The other singers advancing are soprano Julia Maria Dan, soprano Kristina Mkhitaryan, soprano Nina Minasian, Soprano Emma Moore, tenor Sergey Radchenko, soprano Mélissa Petit, soprano Hamida Kristoffersen, and the highly entertaining tenor Andrew Stenson. 


Both archived and live concerts can be watched on live streaming HERE.