Mezzo soprano Elizabeth Townsend picked up the top award at the Guild – the Cleveland Medal.
Elizabeth, aged 22, of York Road, Douglas, was ‘absolutely shocked’ to be claimed the winner of the Manx Music Festival.
The music graduated from the University of London has always been interested in the Guild and wrote about the music festival and the importance of the Cleveland medal in her dissertation.
Elizabeth is the second youngest winner of the medal. Speaking of her achievements, she said: ‘I was very surprised that I did win. The thing I wanted most from the final was to enjoy myself. I just wanted to make my parents and singing teacher proud of me. I hope by winning, I achieved that. I’m really looking forward to singing on Tynwald Day.’
On Saturday night Elizabeth sang Gentle Morpheus, Son of Night by Handel and King David By Howells, she beat stiff competition from Jane Corkill, Michael Corkill, Terence Qualtrough, Jane Mayne and John Qualtrough to win the prize.
Eleanor Shimmin taught Elizabeth piano from the age of 11 and singing from the age of 14. She said: ‘She is a very talented young lady. She was a natural on stage, Elizabeth didn’t get very nervous during her performance. Afterwards she asked me if she gets to keep the award, I said “it’s yours”.’
Guild results, see page 24.
