The prestigious 2025 Pendine International Voice of the Future competition has crowned tenor Andrew Henley as its champion. This distinguished vocal contest took place as part of the renowned Llangollen International Eisteddfod, whe

re audiences witnessed an intense musical showdown between Henley and talented soprano Eiry Price.
During the competition, Henley delivered a compelling performance featuring three carefully selected pieces: the beloved aria "Che Gelida Manina" from Puccini's masterpiece "La Bohème," Wolf's emotionally charged "Gebet," and Bridge's lyrical "Love Went a-Riding." The caliber of judging matched the competition's high standards, with Martin Fitzgerald, who serves as head of music at the English National Opera, and Sarah Tynan, both soprano and professor at the Royal College of Music, evaluating the performances.

The moment of triumph came when Nicoletta, the widow of legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti, presented Henley with the top prize of £3,000. Her presence at the North Wales festival carried special significance, as it commemorated the anniversary of Pavarotti's own memorable performance at the Llangollen Eisteddfod—an appearance that the great tenor himself acknowledged as the catalyst for his illustrious career. Following Pavarotti's passing, Nicoletta established The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, a charitable organization committed to preserving her late husband's legacy while nurturing emerging opera talent.
During the award ceremony, Nicoletta offered these heartfelt words to Andrew: "Culture cannot exist without angels and I'm so pleased that here you have such special friends in Mario and Gill Kreft, they are among the eisteddfod's angels, who know how culture can unify people from so many different communities and cultures."

Victory in this competition opens new doors for Henley, who will soon travel to Germany for his role in "The Merry Widow" at the Mecklenburg State Theatre. Meanwhile, soprano Eiry Price, who earned the runner-up position, was awarded £1,000 for her outstanding performance. Price brings impressive credentials to her craft, serving as a 2024-25 Welsh National Opera Associate Artist and holding degrees from both the Royal College of Music and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
The evening's festivities extended beyond the competition itself, featuring a special performance by the celebrated Sir Bryn Terfel. The Welsh bass-baritone enchanted the audience with selections from his recording "Sea Songs" and shared the stage with the popular folk group Fisherman's Friends, creating a memorable conclusion to the evening's musical celebrations.