The legacy of Kathleen Ferrier includes developing some of the country’s finest young singers.

The Kathleen Ferrier Award is arguably the most prestigious singing competition in the country with the final at the Wigmore Hall in London in October.

Previous winners have included Bryn Terfel, Lesley Garrett and Amanda Roocroft Anna Stephany won the award in 2005 and since then the mezzo soprano has gone on to perform on some of the most famous stages in the world and has just returned from the Bolshoi Theatre in Russia.

“The Kathleen Ferrier Award is a very, very big deal,” she said. “It is so important for a young singer at that point in their career. Its reputation is such that it really does open doors for you.

“When I won the award I found myself lucky enough to get to choose an agent which was amazing.”

Anna also performed at the first of many Ferrier Centenary events in Scarborough in January.

“I had to perform a lot of her repertoire and I didn’t appreciate until I started to listen to her recordings her natural talent.

“She has what is a slightly old fashioned voice and it is so different. But I learned so much just by listening – the way she would could be so expressive in her singing.

“She was truly a remarkable woman.”

n Anna Stephany will perform with Manchester Camarata at Colne Muni on Sunday, April 29.