and i'm delighted to say that the winner of the 2021 cardiff singer of the world song prize is masabane cecilia rangwanasha. applause. cecelia's talent shines through, but it has not been an easy path for singers like her. black opera singers, mostly african—americans, are amongst some of the best—known names in opera history. but over the decades, performers of colour have faced major obstacles in securing big roles. particularly through the '50s and '60s, when suddenly, . there was some real talent coming out of church - choirs around america. these amazing sopranos, like marian anderson, . who was a real pioneer — -