Rosa Hunt meets some of the prodigiously talented men and women competing for the prestigious title of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2021. For a significant number of the singers, religious faith is an integral part of their lives, as they engage in a challenging and highly competitive profession. Rosa speaks to baritone Reginald Smith Jr about his early years, growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, in what he calls the 'buckle of the Bible belt'. South African soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha is similarly indebted to her early introduction to church choirs and hymns. For Malagasy baritone Michael Arivoni the legacy of western hymnody has been an important influence, and he is deeply aware of the links between Wales and Madagascar through the work of Welsh missionaries two centuries ago. For some of the competitors, their journey to the St David's Hall stage has been as incident-filled, and as violent, any opera. Kosovan soprano Elbenita Kajtazi identifies as Muslim, and speaks of some of her terrifying childhood experiences, when caught up in the bitter war between ethnic Serbs and Albanians, she was threatened with a gun held to her throat. Venezuelan soprano Maria Brea speaks of her experiences growing up in a dangerous Caracas slum, and the paralysing fear of being caught in the crossfire between rival gangs. As a fifteen-year old, she became confirmed in the Anglican church after singing with the church choir.