Andrew Henley Wins Pendine International Voice of the Future Competition

By Afton Markay

(Photo credit: Rick Matthews)

Tenor Andrew Henley has won the 2025 Pendine International Voice of the Future competition.

The competition at Llangollen International Eisteddfod featured a sing off between Henley and soprano Eiry Price. Henley performed “Che Gelida Manina” from “La Bohème,” “Gebet” by Wolf, and “Love Went a-Riding” by Bridge. Martin Fitzgerald, head of music at the English National Opera, and soprano and professor at the Royal College of Music Sarah Tynan were the judges.

The first place prize of £3,000 was presented to Henley by Luciano Pavarotti’s widow, Nicoletta. Her journey to North Wales marked the anniversary of Pavarotti’s appearance at the Llangollen Eisteddfod, which he credited with igniting his career. Since his death, she has set up The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, a non-profit organization that’s dedicated to keeping alive his memory and supporting promising young opera singers.

As she presented the prize to Andrew, Nicoletta said, “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.”

Following his win, Henley is heading to Germany to perform in “The Merry Widow” at the Mecklenburg State Theatre. The runner up Price, received a £1,000 prize. She is a 2024-25 Welsh National Opera Associate Artist and an alumna of the Royal College of Music and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

The evening also featured a performance by Sir Bryn Terfel, who sang works from his album, “Sea Songs.” Terfel also performed with Fisherman’s Friends.

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