Philly singers win contest

Tenor Bryan Hymel, 28, from Philadelphia, won the $12,000 first prize at the 36th annual Loren L. Zachary National Vocal Competition finals Sunday at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles.

Soprano Angela Meade, 30, from Philadelphia took the $10,000 second prize. New York soprano Julianna Di Giacomo, 33, won the $8,000 third prize.

Ten finalists, drawn from 235 applicants, participated in the finals with the Los Angeles Performing Arts Orchestra, conducted by Frank Fetta.

Past Zachary winners have included Thomas Hampson, Aprile Millo, Ruth Ann Swenson and Deborah Voigt.

-- Chris Pasles