2025 INTERNATIONAL VOCAL COMPETITION

FORMAT

The competition for 2025 will have two platforms.  You chose your competition track.

The Competition starts for with our Qualifying Round and then our two (2) subsequent Rounds (subdivided into “Semi-Finals” and “Finals”).

All Qualifying Round submissions are completed virtually from anywhere in the world by submitting your materials via our Online Registration Form.

Those then chosen as Semi-Finalists can choose to compete in that round LIVE IN NEW YORK or VIRTUALLY, or in both!

Finalists are then selected for both the Virtual and Live platforms respectively.

No Age Limit Requirements & No Citizenship Restrictions.

Early Registration Deadline: October 31st

Regular Registration Deadline: November 20th

If you are an established in-career artist or an emerging singer who would like to NOT to be considered as part of the competition component, but who would like to sing an audition Live in New York for the Casting Directors, you will be able sing at select times on December 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 for your Professional Casting Audition only. Please Go Here for the Details and to Schedule your audition.

QUALIFYING ROUND

Submission of materials through our Online Registration including one (1) to two (2) Audio or Video performance links in any language and any style. Recordings should be recent (within the past 18 months). 

Early Registration Fee: $55

Regular Registration Fee: $75 (Check out our Instagram Page for a limited number of discount codes that may still remain!)

The inability to pay an application fee should never be a barrier to register for the competition. Fee waiver requests are available for singers who demonstrate significant financial need. For more details Go Here.

What’s Included with submission:

• Professional Review: All applicant’s materials will be reviewed by our Qualifying Round Jury consisting of select members of Premiere Opera Foundations Board and Advisory Council.

• Career Development Seminar: All applicants will be able to take part in a future seminar virtually or live with distinguished consultants and industry insiders.

• Masterclass: All applicants will be able to take part in a future masterclass virtually or live, and a few will be chosen to sing on the class, taught by a true master of the craft.

• Finals Concert: Complimentary admission to our Live Finals Concert.

COMPETE VIRTUALLY: SEMI-FINALS

Up to 100 Singers will be chosen to advance to the Virtual Semi-Final Round.

Each Semi-Finalist will be required to submit two (2) videos of arias in any language and style. You may submit the same recording(s) as in the Qualifying Round. These selections must be with piano accompaniment, not orchestral accompaniment.

What’s Included:

• Professional Review: All Semi-Finalist video submissions will be presented to the entire Virtual Jury of International Casting Directors, Agents, and Theater Consultants like a live-stream of auditions, that they will watch in order just like a typical round of auditions.

• International Theater Pledge: Establishes that a select number of the Casting Directors whose Theaters are part of our Virtual Jury, pledge their intent to offer Stage Auditions at their respective companies for select Virtual Semi-Finalists:

• Live Feedback - There will be an optional Live Feedback Add-On for Virtual Semi-Finalists that will be a private 25 minute in depth session with at least 2 jury members that will be scheduled via Zoom after the competition. (Add-on via your application).

If your videos are chosen to be presented for the Virtual Semi-Finals, there will be a $100 registration fee to secure your spot in the presentation to the jury.

Please note that this round of the competition will serve as the Virtual Professional Casting Auditions portion of the competition.  

COMPETE LIVE: SEMI-FINALS

Up to 100 singers will be chosen to advance to the Live Semi-Final Round in New York. 

Each Semi-Finalist will be required to sing live in New York on December 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12.

What’s Included:

• Sing Live in New York: Sing a Live Audition in New York in the heart of the Lincoln Center area at a wonderful hall, for the entire Live Jury of International Casting Directors, Agents, and Theater Consultants.

• Pianist: A high level pianist will be provided for your audition or you can choose to bring your own at your own expense.

• Professional Video Recording: Each Semi-Finalist will receive a professional quality video recording of their audition.

• International Theater Pledge: Establishes that the Casting Directors whose Theaters are part of our Live Jury, pledge their intent to offer Professional Contracts and/or Stage Auditions for select Live Semi-Finalists:

• Live Feedback: There will be an optional Live Feedback Add-On for Live Semi-Finalists that will be a private 25 minute in depth session with at least 2 jury members that will be scheduled via Zoom after the competition. (Add-on via your application).

If you are chosen to sing Live in New York in the Semi-Finals, there will be a $200 registration fee to secure your day and time slot to sing for the jury.

Please note that this round of the competition will serve as the Live Professional Casting Auditions portion of the competition.

VIRTUAL FINALS

Up to 15 singers will be chosen to advance from the Virtual Semi-Finals to the Virtual Finals.

All Finalists videos will be presented to the entire Virtual Jury, plus additional casting administrators, artist agencies, and industry influencers worldwide.

Winners of the Virtual Finals will be announced as part of the Live Finals Concert Livestream on December 14th which will be broadcast internationally on YouTube and other media platforms. We would encourage you to be present virtually during the Live Finals Concert Livestream but it is not required and will not affect you winning an award.

All Finalists will receive written feedback from the Premiere Opera Foundation team upon request.

LIVE FINALS

Up to 15 singers will be chosen to advance from the Live Semi-Finals to the Live Finals in New York on December 14th. 

All finalists will be heard by the entire Live Jury, plus additional casting administrators, artist agencies, and industry influencers worldwide.

Finalists will sing at a wonderful hall in the heart of the Lincoln Center area, and the event will be open to the public.

A high level pianist will be provided for the Live Finals Concert. You cannot bring your own pianist for the Finals Concert.

The Live Finals Concert will be Livestreamed internationally in real time on YouTube and other media platforms.

Winners will be announced following the concert, and afterward, our Finals Reception will take place, where you’ll have the opportunity to speak directly with the jury, as available. 

All Finalists will receive written feedback from the Premiere Opera Foundation team upon request.

All Finalists will receive a high quality video recording of their Live Finals performance.

PRIZES & AWARDS

Over $50,000 worth in cash prizes and special awards. Every finalist will receive a cash prize. You do not have to be a finalist to receive one of the special awards, including a contract or audition through the International Theater Pledge.

Prizes will be awarded across both the Virtual and Live platforms, doubling the amount of artists, and the international diversity of artists who can benefit. Major cash prizes, as well as Encouragement Awards, Study Grants, Audience Prizes, and other Special Awards! Plus, multiple Professional Casting/Contract Opportunities!

• THE RENATA SCOTTO PRIZE FOR SOPRANO - A study grant in the amount of $5,000 awarded to the soprano who demonstrates exceptional artistry and vocal promise in repertoire that Renata Scotto performed on stage. This prize honors her legacy by encouraging young sopranos to continue the tradition of excellence and expressiveness that defined Scotto’s storied career. Sponsored by her longtime agent and friend, Robert Lombardo.

• THE MARCELLO GIORDANI PRIZE FOR TENOR - A $5,000 award honoring the tenor who exemplifies exceptional artistry and vocal promise in the lyric lirico-spinto repertoire that defined the legendary career of Sicilian-Italian tenor Marcello Giordani, renowned for his laser-beam brilliant and soaring high notes that captivated audiences worldwide. This prestigious prize celebrates Marcello Giordani’s legacy by inspiring young tenors to uphold the tradition of extraordinary Italianate tenor singing. Sponsored by Marcello’s devoted wife, Wilma Aherns Giordani, Marcello’s voice teacher, Bill Schuman, Music director and soprano, Christina Vial, and Internationally acclaimed tenors, Michael Fabiano and Stephen Costello.

• THE DMITRI HVOROTOVSKY PRIZE FOR BARITONE- A $5,000 award honoring the baritone who exemplifies exceptional artistry, musical depth, and commanding presence in the lyric and dramatic repertoire that defined the legendary career of Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky — celebrated for his burnished silver tone, noble bearing, and magnetic stage charisma that moved audiences across the globe. This prestigious prize celebrates Hvorostovsky’s legacy by inspiring young baritones to uphold the tradition of expressive power, elegance, and emotional truth that he embodied throughout his career. Sponsored by Maestro Constantine Orbelian of New York City Opera, Elisa Wagner of International Creative Productions, Eric Margiore and the Premiere Opera Foundation, Dr. Hayk Hovhannisyan, Esq., and Vicki Hovanessian, Cultural Advisor to the Embassy of Armenia to the United States.

Check out our Awards, Winners, and Livestreams from Last Year!

We are honored by your interest in our mission and are looking forward to hearing you!