John Pierce in BBC Cardiff Singer of the World final

John Pierce, from Holywell, will compete in this year's Cardiff Singer of the World competition

A tenor from Flintshire has spoken of his excitement to be representing Wales in this year's BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition.

John Pierce, formerly a pupil at Holywell High, will compete with singers from 19 other countries from around the world.

The 28-year-old studied with Jeffrey Lawton at the Royal Northern College of Music.

He is currently training at the National Opera Studio in London.

Mr Pierce said: "I am very excited at the prospect of taking part in BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2011, it's such a fantastic opportunity and a very humbling one too.

"It will be wonderful to be able to share a love of music with the widest possible audience around the world and this will be a unique opportunity to do so."

His operatic roles have included Rodolfo in La Bohème, Boris in Katya Kabanova and Alfredo in Die Fledermaus.

His future plans include the role of Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly for Mid Wales Opera and concerts with the Orchestra of St John's in London and Oxford.

The BBC Cardiff Singer of the World will take place from 12-19 June.

This year's contestants will perform in front of internationally renowned singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, who takes up her role as patron of the competition for the first time.

Bryn Terfel

The winner will receive £15,000 and the Cardiff trophy.

Bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, who was a finalist in 1989 and went on to become a household name, said taking part in the competition could shape an opera singer's career.

"For an emerging opera singer, BBC Cardiff Singer of the World is a priceless opportunity," he said.

"It opens doors. I know for myself. Two of the opera houses I later sang in - the Vienna Staatsoper and the Munich Opera House - saw the competition I was in and invited me to audition for them.

"Without doubt, BBC Cardiff Singer of the World is one of the most important competitions in the world," he said.