In fighting off competition from 60 other singers from around the world, Marcelle Clamens rose magnificently to the occasion as she sang operatic arias, lieder and traditional gospel before a distinguished audience.

That was the view of Ruth Thomas as she described the excitement surrounding the annual music competition in Ibla, a music-mad town in picturesque Ragusa, set amid the mountains of southern Sicily.

"Marcelle sang for half an hour in a large theatre. She was absolutely brilliant -- knocked the socks off the audience, many of whom had to stand because the theatre was full, and they were all shouting `Bravo!'.'' Using a number of pieces which she had included in last month's concert at St.

John's Church, Ms Thomas reported that Ms Clamens sang "even better'' than she had on that occasion.

"She looked stunning, was completely at ease and was the epitome of professionalism, powerful and dramatic in her presentation. The judges clapped and clapped when she had finished.

"I think Marcelle's performance has catapulted her into a formidable position,'' said Ms Thomas, who admitted she was "astonished'' by the incredibly high standard achieved by all the competitors.

"Some of them were so marvellous, they made your flesh tingle. All of the competitors included operatic pieces and they were all superbly trained and many had extensive experience. The painful part was having to wait through four days of competition before the final results were announced. A few of the musical `big-wigs' who heard her sing, told me they thought that Marcelle's voice has star quality.'' The other exciting moment came when Ms Clamens sang at an open-air concert in Ibla's Plaza Pola, a large square just behind the theatre where concerts were held every night of the festival.

"The townspeople packed the square,'' said Ms Thomas. "In fact, the whole town seemed to ring with music every night and it wasn't unusual for a church bell to peal in the middle of someone's solo! I think Sicilians -- and other competitors -- have fallen in love with Marcelle. She seems to have come into her own here. And, of course, this competition has been good for her in terms of making potentially useful contacts for future concerts and appearances. It has all been so exciting.'' Sicilian Dr. Salvatore Moltisanti, chairman of the Foundation which hosts the annual event, is associated with the Music Department of New York University.

This year, more than 200 musicians took part in the festival.

The jury consisted of representatives from the European Piano Teachers Association, the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (where Marcelle trained), the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory, New York's Juilliard School of Music, the Santa Cecilia Conservatory of Rome, the Albanese-Puccini Foundation, Queen's University, Canada, Hartford University, North West School of Music in the US, Interlochen Arts Centre, US, and The Duke Ellington Foundation.

The competition, says Ms Thomas "plays a meaningful role in the discovery and support of talented singers. The brochure says that dedication, hard work and personal discipline on the part of the competitors will be recognised by a distinguished international jury composed of musicians, managers, artistic directors, presidents of music associations, and journalists. Many professors were also included on the panel.

A HIT: Marcelle Clamens