David Aldred was particularly interested in the soprano voice, and Strauss’s Four Last Songs for this voice type was one of his favourite works. After his death in 2021, his friends decided to honour his memory by establishing a prize for sopranos studying at the SACM, with each participant having to include one of Strauss’s Four Last Songs in her programme.

The University received very generous contributions to the prize which will guarantee its continuation for many years from David’s Canadian friends Felicity Schweitzer and Bruce Lemer and from James May.

Contestants are required to make up a programme of 20 – 25 minutes, including one aria from a cantata or oratorio, one operatic aria and, of course, one of Strauss’s Four Last Songs.