ONE of the world’s best-known sopranos is to judge a young musician contest in North Yorkshire.

Lynne Dawson is known throughout the world for her performance as the soloist at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997, which she sang from Verdi’s Requiem. She has worked with conductors including Daniel Barenboim, Vladimir Ashkenazy, John Eliot Gardiner and is now head of Vocal Studies and Opera at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

On Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12 she will be the adjudicator at the Ripon Young Musicians of the Year contest.

Lynne, who lives in North Yorkshire, will be at the competition at Ripon’s Holy Trinity Church, which is open to young musicians living within 15 miles of the centre of the city.

The contest aims to encourage the musical talent of young people and provide them with an opportunity to play to an appreciative audience.

Winners will receive cash prizes, as well as cups and medals and will take part in a concert at the church from 7.30pm on Saturday, November 12.

The closing date for entries to Ripon Young Musicians of the Year 2016 is Friday, October 14.

Full information and entry forms are also available on the Ripon Young Musicians of the Year website at www.rymy.co.uk