Ben Johnson - the Audience Favourite!

Thursday 20 June 2013

RCM graduate Ben Johnson has won the Dame Joan Sutherland Audience Prize at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World.

The prize – named after the much-loved RCM alumna and soprano – is voted for by audiences in the hall and across the globe. Ben wowed those audiences with his musicality and committed performances, including stunning renditions of songs by a number of British composers associated with the RCM. His performance of Ah! Je vais l'aimer (Béatrice et Bénédict) by Berlioz is available to view on the competition's website.

Ben reached the final of the Song Prize and was tipped to win by TV commentators Ailish Tynan and Bernarda Fink, who were impressed by his musicality and command.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of this prestigious competition. Ben, who studied at the RCM with Neil Mackie and Tim Evans-Jones, is the second RCM graduate to win the audience prize in recent years, following the 2007 triumph of baritone Jacques Imbrailo.

For more details visit the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World website.