Congratulations to alumna Ellen Pearson, winner of the Ferrier Loveday Song Prize at the 2025 Kathleen Ferrier Awards, held at Wigmore Hall on Friday 25 April.
Ellen, who recently secured a place in the Royal Opera House’s Jette Parker Artists Programme alongside fellow graduate Emyr Lloyd Thomas, won the £5000 prize after presenting a captivating programme of music by Gounod, Charminade, Clarke, Korngold, and Rossini.
The prestigious competition, now in its 70th year, was chaired by soprano Patricia Rozario and featured a distinguished jury including Joan Rodgers, Ann Murray, Jonathan Lemalu, and Roger Vignoles. It is open to singers of any nationality, aged 28 or under, who have completed at least one year of study in the UK or Eire and offers three prizes: a first of £12,500, a second of £6,000 and the £5000 song prize, sponsored in perpetuity by Mark and Liza Loveday. There is also an Accompanist’s Award provided by the Help Musicians UK in memory of Arthur and Gwyneth Harrison, won this year by Ellen’s accompanist, Francesca Lauri.
