Benedict Nelson’s “Erlkönig” raises the roof

Benedict Nelson won second prize in the Kathleen Ferrier awards and the Guildhall Gold Medal, both in 2007. But a couple of days ago at Wigmore Hall, minutes before the semifinal results of the International Song Competition were released, he confessed: performing in competitions does not get easier with practice. Quite the contrary: ‘You work and work until you’re in a place where you can feel good about yourself,’ he says, ‘and then a competition comes round!’

He needn’t have worried. With his prize-winning pianist Gary Matthewman, he has reached the finals of the 2009 Wigmore Hall/Kohn Foundation International Song Competition – all the while juggling rehearsals for Turandot. Tonight he sings in the final (streamed live here on Plushmusic from 6pm). Where the man’s energy comes from is a mystery. Where it goes isn’t: we defy you not to dance and shout during this blistering rendition of Schubert’s “Erlkönig: Litanie”.