UPDATE I have recently returned from Bayreuth, where the second round of the International Competition for Wagner Voices 2012 took place.  Our Bursary winner for 2012, Helena Dix, was in Bayreuth to see three operas and to take part in the annual Stipendienstiftung programme, her prize for winning last December.  While there, she competed in the second round of the competition, having been chosen to take part earlier in the year from her submission and a CD recording.  The judging panel included Eva Wagner-Pasquier, Professor Eva Maertson, President of the Richard Wagner Verband International, Dame Gwyneth Jones and Hans Sotin.

I am delighted to inform you that Helena has now been selected to participate in the semi-finals (and then, we hope the finals) which will take place in Karlsruhe in October.  We are tremendously pleased and proud that Helena has done so well and I'm sure you will all join me in wishing her the very best for the next stage of the competition.

She also took part in a Stipendiatenkonzert in Bayreuth, where she performed her Bursary winning aria "Der Männer Sippe" to considerable acclaim.  The concert was attended by Eva Wagner-Pasquier, Verena Lafferentz-Wagner and Irene Theorin, as well as officials from many European Wagner Societies.  The standard of all the performances was extremely high and, again, we were very proud that our Wagner Society was so well represented.   Andrea