Opera Awards (Australia)

The Opera Awards is a singing competition, open to professional Australian opera singers. Held annually in Australia, the Opera Awards was established in 1986, its purpose is to assist and develop professional Australian opera singers by providing overseas study and travel opportunities. This is achieved through programs of study with selected international educational institutions, engagements with professional opera companies as well as introduction, networking and educational opportunities with prominent members of the international operatic community. The Opera Awards consists of a group of awards including the YMF Australia Award and the Armstrong-Martin Scholarship, amongst others (see below, History).

In recent years, major sponsors and supporters have included YMF Australia, the Armstrong-Martin Estate, Haas Foundation, The Glyndebourne Festival (UK), The Royal Over-Seas League (UK) and the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust.

History

In 1986/87 Music & Opera Singers Trust Limited (MOST) created the 'Opera Awards' as a competition within the Australian SInging Competition, and then as a separate, stand-alone competition in 2001.

The Opera Awards provides cash prizes, scholarships and career opportunities to professional Australian opera singers to allow the study of grand opera and related music studies overseas and is a well-recognised and respected award within the Australian and international operatic community. Since 2007, the primary award within the Opera Awards is the YMF Australia Award, sponsored by YMF Australia. The recipient of the 'Opera Awards' actually receives a group of awards, scholarships and opportunities which include the YMF Australia Award, the Armstrong-Martin Scholarship, the Haas Foundation Award and the Editorial Resources Prize. 'Runners up' can receive prizes and opportunities which include (in 2011) The Royal Over-Seas League (UK) Music Bursary, the Britten-Pears Young Artists Programme, the Glyndebourne Festival Prize, and the 4MBS Classic FM Award.

The recipient of the Opera Awards (Australia) is acknowledged and invited to perform at the Finals Concert of the Australian Singing Competition.

Opera Awards (Australia) Recipients

• The Opera Awards Recipient is defined as the individual who has received the 'major award' within the Opera Awards. This has changed over the years: 1986-1997 (Armstrong-Martin Scholarship); 1998-2001 (Handa Scholarship and the Armstrong-Martin Scholarship); 2002 - 2006 (Armstrong-Martin Scholarship with the Australian Elizabeth Theatre Trust); 2007 - 2011 (YMF Australia Award and the Armstrong-Martin Scholarship).

References

1. ^ Opera Australia. "Our Artists. Amelia Farrugia", 1996
2. ^ Opera Australia. "Our Artists. Hyeseoung Kwon", 2002
3. ^ Opera Australia. "Our Artists. Jose Carbo", 2004
4. ^ Opera Queensland. "Our Artists. Jose Carbo", 2005
5. ^ Opera Australia. "Our Artists. Shane Lowrencev", 2008
6. ^ Opera Australia. "Our Artists. Emma Pearson", 2009
7. ^ Opera Australia. "Our Artists. Lorina Gore", 2010
8. ^ 24 Hours The Arts Diary. "The Sydney Morning Herald". Opera. 25 August 2010. p16

External links

• Opera Awards (Australia) website
• Music & Opera Singers Trust Limited (MOST) website
• YMF Australia website