Georgian mezzo-soprano Natalia Kutateladze is one of 16 finalists of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition, a contest marking its 20th edition and broadcast on TV and online through June 19.

The singer, who last year swept four prizes at the Tenor Viñas Singing Contest in Barcelona, is among contestants from 15 countries aged between 26-32. The competition has been running since Saturday, hosted in Cardiff with a limited audience due to pandemic restrictions.

Following her qualification among the finalists, Kutateladze said she was “a little bit shocked but thankful” for the audience for creating an environment of “support and encouragement” even in the reduced capacity.