Petroc Trelawny and American soprano Angel Blue present highlights from the first night of the biennial competition which has been described as the greatest opera singing competition in the world. Past winners and finalists command top billing on the world stages and this year twenty more promising young singers arrive in Cardiff to compete in front of a distinguished jury for the coveted title. Acclaimed British soprano Lucy Crowe and American tenor Lawrence Brownlee provide expert analysis and commentary as singers from Italy, Russia, Norway, Mongolia and the USA compete for a place in the grand final. Music includes arias by Mozart, Rossini, Puccini and Donizetti amongst others. The singers are accompanied by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Thomas Sondergard.

The search continues for the world's next opera star as five more young singers compete to be become BBC Cardiff Singer of the World. Petroc Trelawny and American soprano Angel Blue are at St David's Hall inCardiff to guide us through the highlights of the performances by singers from England, South Africa, Ukraine, Turkey and the USA. Vocal coach and Cardiff Singer regular Mary King and South African baritone Jacques Imbrailo, who picked up the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Audience Prize in 2007, are on hand to give their views on the performances. The BBC National Orchestra of Wales is conducted by Thomas Sondergard.