The Competition
The George and Nora London Foundation for Singers Competition is a prestigious event that offers emerging opera talent a platform to showcase their artistry before a panel of esteemed judges. Winners receive significant financial awards and the chance to perform in front of influential figures in the opera community. This competition is a vital part of the foundation's mission to nurture and support the next generation of opera stars.
Audition Process
& Eligibility
The George London Awards process begins with an annual applicant pool of over 150 talented opera singers, each vying for the chance to launch or advance their careers through this esteemed competition. From this pool, a maximum of 90 singers are selected to participate in a rigorous preliminary round, held over the course of three days. During this stage, each singer is typically asked to perform two arias for the panel of judges, showcasing their vocal range, technical skill, and emotional expressiveness. In some cases, singers may be requested to perform a third aria, allowing the judges to fully assess their capabilities and artistic potential.
Following the preliminary round, up to 15 singers are chosen as finalists and given the opportunity to compete in the finals, held at the prestigious Morgan Library and Museum. Here, each finalist performs one aria selected by the judges, presenting their artistry to both the panel and a discerning audience. The final performances are critical, as they lead directly to the judges' deliberation, where up to five singers are awarded the coveted George London Award, each receiving $12,000. The remaining finalists, while not receiving the top award, are recognized for their exceptional talent with encouragement awards of $2,000 each, ensuring that every finalist leaves the competition with both recognition and support to further their careers.
Application
Please use this link to apply for our 2025 Competition.
FAQs
Applicants must be citizens of either the United States or Canada and under 35 years of age.
All applicants must compete the competition application form. In addition to answering questions about their educational background and performing experience, applicants must provide a list of four arias in contrasting styles and languages which they will present if they make it to the audition stage of the competition.
A maximum of 90 singers (from an average pool of approximately 150 applicants) are selected to participate in a preliminary round over the course of three days. Typically, applicants are asked to sing two arias for the panel of expert judges but may be asked to sing a third.
Up to 15 singers are selected to perform at the finals.
The finalists sing one aria selected by the panel of expert judges before an audience at the Gilder Lehrman Hall at the Morgan Library and Museum. Immediately following these performances, the judges deliberate, and the winners are announced.
Up to 15 singers are selected to perform at the finals.
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