Entry Information

Repertoire Requirements

Entrants must prepare three contrasting arias from three different operas. The arias must be from at least two musical periods and in at least two languages:

* One aria from before Mozart's death
* One aria from after Mozart's death - 1791
* The remaining aria may be from any period

Repertoire presented in all stages must be memorised and performed with acoustic piano accompaniment.

Arias can be chosen from standardised operatic literature as currently performed in major opera houses around the world, including Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Verismo, Modern, Opera Comique and Operetta.
Please note that the selection of arias performed in the Final will be at the artistic discretion of Dr. Nicholas Milton AM.

Heats:
A video recording of one aria of own choice from your chosen three aria's. This must be a recorded performance made in 2024, filmed in a single take and without edit.

The video recording and supporting documentation must be uploaded to the Sydney Eisteddfod Entrant Portal by Monday, April 29 2024 - by 23:59.

Semi - Final:
Friday, 14 June 2024 at The Concourse | Concert Hall

12 entrants will be selected to give a live performance of the remaining two arias - not the aria performed in the heat. Semi - Finalists are responsible for engaging their own accompanist.

Final:
Sunday, 14 July 2024 at The Concourse | Concert Hall

5 Finalists and two Reserve Finalists will be selected to present a live performance of two of the three previously sung arias accompanied by the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Nicholas Milton AM.

Adjudicators

Phoebe Briggs

Area of Specialty:
opera

BMus (University of Melbourne). Opera Australia music staff 2002-2012. Head of Music at Victorian Opera 2012 - current. Repetiteur and conductor. For Victorian Opera, Phoebe has conducted Sunday in the Park with George, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, The Visitors, Cendrillon, Play of Herod, Four Saints in Three Actys, The Sleeping Beauty, Lorelei, Black Rider, A Christmas Carol, Black Rider.

Other companies Opera Australia, OzOpera, Opera Queensland, Stonnington Opera in the Park, Opera Northwest, IFAC, Ambassador Group, Chamber Made Opera, Melbourne Theatre Company. Phoebe has appeared in concert in Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Japan.

 

Paul Fitzsimon

Important Notes

All entrants are to submit a video recording for the heats via the Sydney Eisteddfod Entrant Portal. Please ensure you have all required supporting documentation ready for upload at the time of submitting your application.

The video submission and supporting documentation must be uploaded to the Sydney Eisteddfod Entrant Portal by Monday, April 29 2024 - by 23:59.

Please use the following format when naming your file:
Event #_Entrant First & Last Name_Item 1 (Title_Composer)

e.g., Event 1 _ Emily Jones_Il mio Tesoro_Mozart

Acceptable file types include:
.avi, .flv, .m1v, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .webm, .wmv

Supporting documentation requirements:

* Proof of age and Australian/New Zealand residency status (e.g. birth certificate or current passport - a driver's license or student ID is not acceptable)
* A 200-word biography
* A short statement outlining your current and proposed studies, and how the Sydney Eisteddfod Opera Scholarship might help you
* A publicity picture in colour as a JPEG file - in high resolution (minimum 2M.B.)
* Titles of all three arias - name of opera - name of composer

Changes to repertoire cannot be made any later than the fortnight leading up to the Semi - Final. Entrants will be notified if their repertoire is considered unsuitable for the later rounds.


Email: [email protected] if you have any questions relating to this submission method

No Official Accompanist provided for the Semi-Final.

Entrants should familiarise themselves with the Opera Scholarship Event Details, and full schedule. All finalists must be available for rehearsals as outlined in the schedule.

Conditions

1. Previous winners not eligible.
2. Event is open to any singer who is a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or New Zealand.
~ Residency and proof of age documents are required when submitting your application. This can include a Birth Certificate or an Australian or New Zealand passport or a permanent resident stamp. A driver's licence is not acceptable.
3. Adjudicator reports will be written for the heats only. No marks will be given on these reports.
4. Special note: Dr. Nicholas Milton AM, Conductor of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra may choose any one of the three arias for the orchestral accompaniment at the final. Singers are encouraged to choose arias from the standard operatic repertoire to ensure that orchestral music is available for at least one of their selections.
5. Arias are to be no longer than ten minutes each including recitative (if any). Cuts may be made if necessary. Long instrumental tuttis or interludes should be curtailed.
6. All arias must be sung in the original key and language set by the composer, performed from memory with acoustic piano accompaniment.
7. All arias may be repeated once in other events (see Item 4, Repertoire Selection under the Classical Singing Category Rules & Conditions).
8. No music scores required for upload.
9. Singers chosen for the Semi - Finals will be notified. Five finalists and two Reserve Finalists will be selected for the Final.
10. No Official Accompanist is provided for the Semi - Final. Accompaniment for both arias in the Finals will be by the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra.
11. The awarding of the scholarship is at the discretion of the adjudicators and is given on the understanding that the Winner will undertake study for the operatic stage, including vocal tuition/coaching, languages, and stagecraft - both domestically and or internationally.
12. The Winner is required to submit a detailed study plan to Sydney Eisteddfod, after which payment of the Scholarship will be made progressively upon production of written reports from teachers or institutions. The scholarship must be taken up within two years from the date of winning and completed within one year thereafter.
13. The Winner and Finalists must be reasonably available for media interviews and performance engagements. Sydney Eisteddfod will endeavour to continue to provide performance opportunities to alumni as a way of staying connected and nurturing the creative practices of all.
14. Please refer to the Classical Singing Rules & Conditions of Entry.

Prizes

Winner: Sydney Eisteddfod John Lamble Foundation Scholarship - Total Prize: $43,000.

$3,000 cash plus a $40,000 scholarship to undertake overseas study for the operatic stage, including vocal tuition/coaching, languages and stagecraft. Paid in four equal installments. Inclusive of travel/ airfare costs.

2nd Place: Supported by a Donor through Sydney Eisteddfod - Total Prize: $18,000.

$3,000 cash plus a $15,000 Scholarship paid in two equal instalments.

Finalists: Supported by The Estate of the late Miss Paula Clarkstone OAM & The Leslie Andrews Memorial Awards - $1,000 each (excluding place-getters).

Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, in consultation with their Artistic Director Dr. Nicholas Milton AM or a representative, may offer one of the finalists a professional engagement with the WSO in the next two years, subject to availability and suitability with the WSO's concert programming.

Age limit for entrants is 35 years and under at 31 December 2024. Finalists must be Australian or New Zealand permanent residents. Previous winners are not eligible.