We are thrilled to announce the Premiere Opera Foundation International Vocal Competition – The Asia Selection

The Premiere Opera Foundation International Vocal Competition is one of the most authoritative vocal and opera competitions in the world. Having been successfully held for eight editions at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York, it is renowned for its high professional standards and fair, rigorous selection process. Winners will receive opportunities to sign contracts with internationally renowned theaters and access global touring resources, making it a crucial platform for emerging vocal talents and future international opera stars.

This year, for the first time, the POFIVC competition will establish an Asian Division Selection, jointly organized by the Premiere Opera Foundation (POF) and Shenyang Conservatory of Music, with the Shenyang Shenjing Grand Theater as a co-organizer. The aim is to discover and promote the most promising young opera talents in Asia.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to take the next step in your career and be part of one of the most prestigious vocal competitions in the world. Applications will be open soon.

  • Compete in a prestigious, internationally recognized competition

  • Receive expert feedback from an esteemed jury of opera professionals

  • Win fully funded travel and accommodations to compete in New York

  • Gain valuable exposure to leading opera institutions and talent managers

International Judges

Judges will be joined by a host of Chineses esteemed vocalists and educators.

  • John Fisher

    Renown Conductor

  • Cheryl Studer

     Grammy-winning Dramatic Soprano

  • Miloš Repický

    Head of Vocal Studies at Curtis Institute, Metropolitan Opera coach.

  • Eric Margiore

    Tenor, POF founder, and artistic director.

Evaluation
Process

Preliminary rounds:
Online review by panelists from the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, Vienna State Opera, etc. 

- Semi-finalists announced by September 5 on both the Shenyang Conservatory of Music and POF official websites, and selected candidates will be individually notified by email and provided with a formal semifinal invitation; live performances for semi-finals/finals.  

- Judges’ decisions are final.

Registration

Registration Period
Open now until September 5

Registration Method: 
Complete the application form at  https://www.premiereoperafoundation.org/apply 
and submit required materials.

Registration Fees

Preliminary Round: $85 per person (on or before August 25) (Limited Supply), $120 thereafter

Semi-Finals: $150 per person

Finals: No fee

Note: Participants may not register for both divisions. Payment in RMB will be automatically converted at the prevailing exchange rate.

Material Submission Requirements:

a) Video recordings must be made within 18 months before the submission deadline, with clear audio and video quality.

b) Full-body, front-facing footage is required, with no face coverings. Videos must be unedited, without cuts or post-production, and must not contain any identifying text or logos. Violations will result in disqualification without refund.

c) Attire: Stage performance wear or formal attire is required; casual clothing is not permitted.

d) Accompaniment: Live piano or recorded accompaniment is allowed; a cappella performances are not accepted.

Repertoire and Performance Requirements

General Rules:  

All pieces must be performed in their original language (Chinese, English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Russian) and memorized. 

Opera pieces must be sung in the original key.  

Semi-finalists must submit their semi-final and final repertoire lists, including works in at least three languages.  

Repertoire for semi-finals and finals must not overlap, though pieces from the preliminary round may be repeated.  

Judges may stop performances if time limits are exceeded, without affecting scores.

Division-Specific Rules:

a):Youth Division:  

Preliminary Round: ≤10 minutes, 2 pieces (1 opera aria + 1 art song)  

Semi-Finals: ≤12 minutes, 2 opera arias  

Finals: ≤15 minutes, 3 pieces (2 opera arias + 1 Chinese piece [art song or opera aria])  

   

b):Professional Division:  

Preliminary Round: ≤10 minutes, 2 opera arias  

Semi-Finals: ≤12 minutes, 2 opera arias  

Finals: ≤15 minutes, 3 pieces (2 opera arias + 1 Chinese piece [art song or opera aria)

Awards and Advancement Mechanism

1) Special Awards (Asian Edition):

- 1 First Prize, 2 Second Prizes, 3 Third Prizes  

- All other finalists will receive Excellence Awards.  

3) Special Awards (Asian Edition): 

- Audience Favorite Award  

- Outstanding Artistic Potential Award  

- Best Mozart Aria Interpreter  

- Exceptional Stage Presence Award  

- Special Prize for Chinese Repertoire  

- Outstanding Instructor Award 

2) Global Finals Advancement:  

- The top-scoring contestant in each division will advance directly to the global finals.  

- Second and third-place winners will enter the global semi-finals.  

- Top three winners will receive full scholarships (covering airfare and accommodations) to the finals in New York.  

- Other finalists may self-fund participation in the global semi-finals/finals.    

4) Additional Opportunities:  

- Semi-finalists may attend workshops with Eric Margiore and Miloš Repický, observe the finals, and receive discounted tickets to Lawrence Brownlee’s China debut concert.  

- Finalists may receive direct audition opportunities at The Juilliard School and Curtis Institute of Music in 2026 (subject to POF and institutional policies).

Contestant Guidelines

Expenses

All contestants cover their own accommodations and meals.

Recording Rights

Contestants are required to grant the organizer the right to record audio and video of their entire participation in the competition and the award ceremony concert (if held), and consent to the use of such recordings for commercial purposes such as promotion and distribution, without the need for additional payment. The audio-visual materials and other items submitted by contestants for the preliminary round will not be returned under any circumstances. The organizer shall hold all rights to distribute and publish all audio-visual materials.

Registration

- Semi-finalists must register to the designated location specified by the Organizer by 12:00 PM (Beijing Time) on September 19. Late arrivals forfeit participation without refund.  

- ID/passport verification required.

Withdrawal Policy

Withdrawal requests must be approved by the organizer. Unauthorized absences forfeit fees.


Performance Order

- Semi-finals: Contestants select slots via an online system. Unselected slots will be assigned by the organizer.  

- Finals: Order determined by the organizer.

Artistic Guidance

-  Official accompanist: Dr. Michael Fennelly (Metropolitan Opera). Each contestant will have a chance to rehearse with him once before the competition.  

- Semi-finalists may bring personal accompanists (self-funded); finals do not permit external accompanists.

Contact Us

Chinese Contestants:

Ms. Hao
Shenyang Conservatory of Music:
+86 13889116814

(WeChat)
83855553@qq.com

International Contestants:

Eric Margiore, Premiere Opera Foundation
info@premiereoperafoundation.org

Mr. Zhang, Shenyang Conservatory of Music:
+86 13700005863

(WeChat)
sycmwsb@163.com