BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2007 - Audience Prize - Jacques Imbrailo, former World Youth Choir member.

The Audience Prize was awarded to South African Jacques Imbrailo.

Singers from three continents take the honors at the end of an epic Competition.

The Audience Prize, voted on by viewers, online users and the adience in St David's Hall, went to South African baritone Jacques Imbrailo.

Jacques Imbrailo

South African baritone Jacques Imbrailo, who began his musical career at the Drakensberg Boys' Choir School, completed a BA Law degee and a B Mus degree at the Potchefstroom University in South Africa in 2002 under Professor Werner Nel, followed by posgraduate opera studies at the RCM under Ryland Davies. Currently sudying with Gary Coward.

Awards include runner-up at South African Music Rights Organization International Scholarship competition, winner of Distell National Singing Competition in South Africa and second prize at Richard Tauber singing competition 2005, winner of the vocal category of the Royal Overseas League Competition and finalist in the Kathleen Ferrier Competition.

Opera includes Tarquinius The Rape of Lucretia and Guglielmo Cosi fan tutte at RCM and with the Classical Opera Company; Mercutio Roméo et Juliette for British Youth Opera.

Oratorio performances include Bach St John Passion, Handel Messiah, Brahms Requiem, Fauré Requiem and Duruflé Requiem. Purcell recording released early 2006.

He joined the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in September 2006. His ROH debut was in 2006 as Morales Carmen. Further roles at ROH include Commissioner Madame Butterfly, Marullo Rigoletto and title role Owen Wingrave in the Linbury Theatre.

Future plans include debut as Count Almaviva Le nozze di Figaro, Lille 2008 with Emmanuelle Haïm.