Other winners were soprano Martene Grimson, who won the Ô£5,000 second prize; tenor Robin Tritschler, who won the Ô£2,500 Song Prize; and James Baillieu, who won the Ô£2,000 Accompanist's Prize.

The first Ferrier competition was held in 1956 in memory of the Lancashire singer Kathleen Ferrier, whose career lasted just twelve years before she died at the age 41. She had no formal music training and followed an unusual career path from telephone operator to star contralto, championed by Bruno Walter and John Barbirolli, among others.

The competition is open to singers under 29 of any nationality who have have completed at least one year of study at a U.K. conservatory or with a recognized vocal coach in the U.K.

Previous winners include bass-baritone Bryn Terfel in 1988 and soprano Emma Bell in 1998.