Queen Elisabeth Competition
In a groundbreaking triumph that reverberated throughout the classical music world, South Korean baritone Kim Tae-han emerged as the victor of the esteemed Queen Elisabeth Competition's singing category, securing a historic win as the first Asian artist to achieve this accolade since the category's inception in 1988.
Kim's remarkable achievement was met with resounding applause as he was awarded the distinguished honor by Queen Mathilde of Belgium, accompanied by a generous prize sum of 25,000 euros ($26,811). This resounding victory marks South Korea's second consecutive win at the renowned competition, following cellist Cho Ha-young's triumph in 2022.
Named in honor of Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, the Queen Elisabeth Competition stands among the most prestigious classical music competitions in the world, alongside Poland's International Chopin Piano Competition and Russia's International Tchaikovsky Competition. Held annually in Brussels, the competition rotates between its four categories—piano, cello, singing, and violin. Last year's edition focused on cellists, further enhancing the anticipation and excitement surrounding the vocal category this year.
Kim, at the age of 22, stood as the youngest participant among the 12 finalists who advanced to the ultimate round, which unfolded over a captivating three-day period beginning on Thursday. During the final stage, competitors were tasked with delivering between three to six songs, encompassing two different languages or at least one operatic aria. Demonstrating his vocal prowess, Kim mesmerized the audience and judges with four masterful performances, including a selection from Italian composer Verdi's five-act opera "Don Carlos" and a piece from Erich Wolfgang Korngold's "Die tote Stadt."
Strategically choosing to sing Verdi's Italian song in French, Kim expertly catered to the sensibilities of the French-speaking Belgian audience and jury members, leaving a lasting impression. Notably, acclaimed South Korean lyric coloratura soprano Sumi Jo served as part of the esteemed jury for this year's competition.
In the aftermath of his triumphant win, Kim humbly expressed to reporters that he felt no pressure during the competition, singing with joy and savoring every moment on stage. He passionately shared, "I was submerged in the music" while diligently preparing for this momentous event. Eager to build upon his success, the gifted 22-year-old vocalist boldly declared, "I aspire to become a globally recognized baritone." Kim made his official debut in 2022 through a captivating solo recital, garnering numerous accolades both domestically and internationally. He currently pursues his musical education at Seoul National University's College of Music, under the tutelage of the esteemed Na Gun-young.
The 2023 edition of the Queen Elisabeth Competition witnessed a record-breaking number of South Korean contenders, with 18 exceptionally talented individuals vying for recognition. Among the 55 singers from 20 countries who participated in the competition, eight Korean vocalists advanced to the semifinals, where 24 contestants fiercely competed for the coveted final 12 spots. Alongside Kim, baritone Daniel Kwon and bass Jeong In-ho exhibited their exceptional talents, standing as the sole male finalists in a remarkable showcase of vocal excellence.
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