Irish, English Singers Win Wagner Competition

Seattle Opera’s first International Wagner Competition drew eight singers from five countries and five judges from Europe and North America. “Two $15,000 prizes were awarded — some three hours after the affair started, by Speight Jenkins, general director of the company — to Miriam Murphy of Ireland and James Rutherford of England. Rutherford also won the vote of the orchestra — members of the Seattle Symphony — and the audience.”