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A favorite of operatic progressives, Soper has had three operas staged by Long Beach Opera, including the premiere of her astonishingly fanciful “Romance of the Rose,” perhaps the most original American opera of the decade.

Russell’s powerful, at times operatic, vocals and energetic stage presence proved the perfect foil for Ron’s distinctly quirky mien and adroit facility with words and keys.

Twelve months ago, the singer lifted the trophy for their song The Code, an operatic pop track about their journey to realising they were non-binary.

Austrian counter-tenor JJ, whose operatic pop song Wasted Love is the second favourite, was one of the 10 acts voted through after Thursday's show.

Stiff competition comes from Austrian singer JJ, and his operatic ballad Wasted Love.