Domingo's Operalia 2012 shines in Beijing

Indeed great time to be in Beijing as there is also an opera competition here in the capital. Plácido Domingo's Operalia celebrated its milestone Twentieth Edition in Beijing. The final round of the world opera competition for young talent took place in the magnificent National Center for the Performing Arts. The enthusiasm of the Chinese public, the singers, and the judges made this edition indeed unique.

Maestro Plácido Domingo was met with enthusiastic applause when he took the stand at the National Center for the Performing Arts. The quarter and semifinals were only accompanied with piano, but the final round comes with a full orchestra and conduction by Maestro Plácido Domingo himself. It began with the Russian baritone Roman Burdenko.

This year's Competition saw over 600 applicants from around the world whittled down to just forty to arrive in Beijing for the preliminary rounds. And the quarter and semi finals brought that number even further down to 13. An intermission was declared after the performers took to the stage to perform the official anthem of the competition.

The audience took this time to vote for their favorite performers. Their excitement was well on display.

Chinese mezzo-soprano Liang Ning said, "This is really a big event in this field. There are contestants from around 20 countries participating in the competition. We have very very excellent Chinese contestants here. I haven't heard such beautiful voices for a long time. Judging by the voices, the languages and arias, they all have a bright future."

But the biggest moment came when the jury began announcing winners.

First up was a special prize for singers of the Zarzuela style of opera - one each for a female and male singer. They were created in honor of Plácido Domingo's parents who specialized in the form. The male winner was announced first. The female award went to soprano Janai Brugger from America.

Third place was awarded to a pair of Russian contestants. Second place, meanwhile, actually went to 3. Chinese contestant Guanqun Yu scored the spot, while countryman Yunpeng Wang shared the honors with American Brian Jagde.

But this was the real peak of the night.

The two Audience Prizes - a pair of watches from sponsor Rolex were also awarded to Yunpeng Wang and American Janai Brugger. Both of whom walked home with three prizes for the night. Following the ceremony, we were lucky to have a chance to talk with Placido Domingo himself.

Of course the winners were happy with their victory as well.

Plácido Domingo's Operalia can be a real stepping-stone in an artist's career. Although Plácido Domingo does not vote, he is active throughout the competition - supervising the proceedings and giving artistic and career advice to all of the participants. Previous winners include many of the world's top stars in the opera world: Rolando Villazon, Joyce DiDonato, Erwin Schrott, Nina Stemme, and Chinese stars soprano He Hui and renowned Baritone Liao Changyong.

Operalia was founded in 1993 by Plácido Domingo. It aims to discover and help launch the careers of the most promising young opera singers of the day. It's arguably the maestro's most impressive accomplishment and the results speak, or should we say "sing" for themselves.