This afternoon at London's Wigmore Hall, the brilliant young soprano Louise Alder triumphed in the final of the inaugural Orchid Music Charitable Trust (OMCT) Young British Soloists’ Competition.

Alder was competing against three musicians from three different disciplines in the final round: pianist Evelyne Berezovsky, saxophonist Amy Green and violinist Mathilde Milwidsky. The jury comprised of clarinettist Julian Bliss, Classic FM presenter and soprano Catherine Bott, Editor and Publisher of Gramophone Martin Cullingford, General Manager of BBC Symphony Orchestra Paul Hughes, cellist Guy Johnston, pianist Martin Roscoe and soprano Elizabeth Watts.

Alder's prize for winning the competition is a fully funded album on Orchid Classics. Upon winning the final she said, 'I feel completely elated to be afforded the opportunity to make a disc. It’s always a joy to perform at Wigmore Hall - and in front of such a distinguished panel and with such a wonderful pianist, Joseph Middleton.'

The soprano is a graduate of the Royal College of Music International Opera School and a member of the Frankfurt Opera Ensemble. She makes her debut at the Glyndebourne Festival this season as Lucia in Fiona Shaw's production of Britten's The Rape of Lucretia. 

Below is a video of Louise Alder singing Duparc's Chanson triste from a concert in Malta in 2013: