Hanna-Liisa Wins Harwood Award

Hanna-Liisa Kirchin has won the 2013 Elizabeth Harwood Memorial Award for Singers just weeks after winning the Miriam Licette Scholarship.

The postgraduate mezzo-soprano, who is starring as Masha in the RNCM’s forthcoming production of Shostakovich’s Paradise Moscow, performed pieces by Handel, Mozart, Jonathan Dove, Richard Strauss and Rachmaninoff, accompanied by pianist Robin Humphreys.

She said: ‘I am so proud to be the recipient of the prize this year. I have watched this competition since I was an undergraduate, and always hoped I would be fortunate enough to be in the final one day! It was such a wonderful evening, and I am so grateful to the panel and the trust for their decision and generosity. The prize will be an invaluable help to me next year, and I am so thrilled to be associated with it.’

Talking about the annual competition, RNCM Tutor in Vocal Studies Deborah Rees, who was on the adjudicating panel alongside Robert Dean and Isobel Flinn, said: ‘Hanna-Liisa gave the most poised and professional performance. Her singing was musical, technically assured and at times very touching. We also felt that sense which Hanna-Liisa created of ‘tingles down the spine’: a sure indication of quality.’

Susan Roper, Deputy Head of the School of Vocal Studies, added: ‘On behalf of the College I must thank the Elizabeth Harwood Memorial Trust for their generosity and support; it was so appreciated and the whole evening was a big success.

‘College competitions are hugely important because it gives students the opportunity to put into practice all they have learnt in the classroom. It’s a real situation for them with a real audience.

‘Hanna-Liisa sang beautifully and Daniel Shelvey, who won a second prize, also gave a wonderful, committed and energised performance.’

The Award is administered by the Elizabeth Harwood Memorial Trust in accordance with the will of the late Elizabeth Harwood and enables students to continue their studies after leaving the College.

14 March 2013