How is one fairly to judge such an offering as this? These two undoubtedly talented sopranos, winners of Channel 4’s Operatunity programme, produced under the aegis of ENO, are now being promoted in a questionable way, of which this EMI CD is part. Suddenly bounced into the limelight, they are here being given a chance to display their wares in a taxing programme, the results of which will no doubt satisfy the many who have enjoyed their singing on TV. As such, they offer a pleasing if never very positive experience.

Leigh has the more distinctive voice, its quick vibrato unfashionable but giving character to her tone, even if it sometimes seems a mite insubstantial. On the whole she sings lighter roles with poise and accuracy, but seems over-stretched by ‘Casta diva’ and Micaëla’s aria from Carmen, which call for a bigger sound. Gilchrist has the heavier voice, able – as here – to encompass Butterfly’s famous aria, and always secure in manner. Both offer creditable accounts of ‘Caro nome’ as they did in the TV broadcast of Rigoletto.

Neither seems to have any special interpretative insights to offer into their repertory, but then how can that not be, given that their stage experience is virtually nil? They sing in the well-studied, careful way of singers taking part in an audition. It’s significant that both come to life when performing in English – Leigh in Handel and Gilchrist in Sullivan – so it is surprising that Paul Daniel did not persuade them to sing everything in the vernacular, particularly when their grasp of the foreign texts seems a bit vague.

Which leads me to the surely relevant point that regular sopranos in our native companies, who have the experience lacking here and have worked their guts out to create estimable careers, are not granted this kind of opportunity. That in no way detracts from the dedicated work put in by these two aspiring singers. Daniel and his orchestra provide loyal support, but might have helped each artist by proposing faster speeds all-round, the Mozart pieces apart, which are surely too hurried!