About

The Australian Opera Aria Award (the Award) is a new prize for emerging Australian opera singers. It provides monetary and in-kind prizes to artists seeking to further develop their craft.

The adjudicator of the inaugural Award is Graham Pushee. 

Having enjoyed an illustrious career in opera, Graham is now the Managing Director of Arts Management, with clients such as Stuart Skelton, Simone Young and Natalie Aroyan. He has taught and coached at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, given masterclasses and workshops for Opera Queensland, the Melba Opera Trust and WAAPA, and adjudicated and presented numerous vocal competitions in Australia and New Zealand.

Eligibility

  1. The Award is open to emerging singers of any voice type.

  2. Entrants must be Australian citizens aged 18-30 as of 1 November, 2024.

  3. Entrants must be available to attend all the Events listed in the Timeline.

  4. Entrants must be willing and able to travel to Coffs Harbour, NSW at their own expense.

 Timeline

  1. Monday 24 June, 2024: Entries open.

  2. Sunday 1 September, 2024: Entries close.

  3. Monday 9 September, 2024: List of competitors made public.

  4. Friday 1 November, 2024 (Event): Heats at Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium. The heats are closed to the public.

  5. Saturday 2 November, 2024 (Event): Semi-finalists will be allocated a half hour rehearsal with the repetiteur. The semi-finals may run into the early evening depending on the number of entrants. The semi-finals will be held at Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium and will be open to the public.

  6. Sunday 3 November, 2024 (Event): Public Gala concert at St John Paul College Theatre.

 Heats

  1. Singers will choose one work to perform.

  2. All works must be performed from memory.

  3. Singers will perform other works from their repertoire list at the Adjudicator’s request.

Semi-Finals

  1. Singers will perform two works chosen by the adjudicator

Finals (Gala Concert)

  1. Singers will perform two works chosen by the adjudicator.

  2. Singers progressing to the final will have performed all four works on their repertoire list.

Application Form

  1. All entrants must complete the official online Application Form.

  2. Entrants must provide a Repertoire List of four contrasting arias to be performed.

  3. Brief outline of performer’s Future Plans and Q&A

  4. CV/Biography

  5. Photo

  6. Proof of citizenship, residency and age

  7. A Competition Fee of $30 will be charged to all singers who progress to the semi-finals.

 Repertoire List

  1. A Baroque or Classical era opera aria

  2. A Romantic era opera aria

  3. An Oratorio aria

  4. An Aria or Art Song by an Australian composer

 Repertoire Requirements

  1. All works are to be sung in their original language and key.

  2. The Repertoire List will feature at least two different languages.

  3. All works to be between 3-5 minutes duration.

  4. All works must be from the classical or art song repertoire (no musicals or music theatre)

 Adjudication

  1. The Award will take place in the form of live events in Coffs Harbour between 1-3 November, 2024.

  2. The decision of the adjudicator is final.

  3. No correspondence will be entered into with the adjudicator, the Award’s staff or with any third party regarding the adjudicator’s decision.

  4. Entrants will be judged on their potential, performance, and future plans.

 Accompaniment

  1. Entrants may use their own accompanist for the Heats

  2. The Award’s official accompanist must be used in the Semi-Finals and Finals

  3. Semi-Finalists will be allocated a half-hour rehearsal funded by the Award. Additional rehearsal time may be made by arrangement with the Official Accompanist at the singer’s expense.

  4. Semi-Finalists and Finalists are obliged to attend all rehearsals as specified.

 Prizes

  1. First Prize: $5,000 plus a Coffs Harbour Music Society recital in 2025

  2. Second Prize: $2,000

  3. Third Prize: $1,000

  4. Audience Favourite: $500 (plus other prizes to be advised)

 Entries and Enquiries

  1. All applications must be received by Sunday 1 September, 2024.

  2. No incomplete entries will be accepted.

  3. An email will be sent acknowledging receipt of application.

  4. Some billeting is available – please confirm if you require billeting.

 Performance Rights

  1. The Award has the right to video, film, record or photograph and retain all stages of the Award for archival or promotional purposes. The Award has the right to retain the material on websites or any other analogue or electronic-digital media without fee to the singer and any personal information relating to the Competition. Broadcast and narrowcast rights remain with the Award. There is the possibility of the final public Gala concert being offered to non-commercial radio, and the ABC.

 General

  1. Prizewinners are required to provide a report to the Award organisers (not exceeding 500 words) within 12 months detailing the benefit the prize has had on their career.

 Checklist details for entry form

  • Full name

  • Pronouns

  • Age

  • Address

  • Contact Number

  • Email

  • Voice Type

  • Repertoire

  • Biography (study, teachers, performances)

  • Headshot (colour photograph)

  • Online material

Please send any enquiries to info@ariacompetition.au