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.

Heats: A video recording of one aria of own choice from your chosen three arias. This must be a recorded performance made in 2025, filmed in a single take and without edit. The video recording and supporting documentation must be uploaded to the Sydney Eisteddfod Entrant Portal by 4.00 PM on Monday, April 14 2025.

Semi - Final: Monday, 26 May 2025 at 4:30 PM at the Concourse Concert Hall, Chatswood. Twelve 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: TBC. Five Finalists and two Reserve Finalists will be selected to present a live performance of two of their previously sung

arias, both with piano accompaniment. Finalists must be available for a rehearsal with their private accompanist on

the day of the Final.

Entrants are responsible for engaging their own accomapanist for both the Semi-Final and Final.

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 4.00 PM on Monday, April 14 2025.

Entrant’s video submission must be a YouTube or Vimeo link. Please clearly indicate the work’s title and composer, along with the name of the entrant’s first and last in the title and/or description box ( eg. Emily Jones_Il mio Tesoro_Mozart )

Supporting documentation requirements:

* A 150-word biography

* A short (maximum 300-word) 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

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

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.

No Official Accompanist provided for the Semi-Final.

Entrants should familiarise themselves with the Opera Scholarship Event Details, and 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 will be cited upon progression to the

Semi-Final. This can include a Birth Certificate, an Australian or New Zealand passpor, or a permanent resident stamp. A driver's licence or proof of age card is not acceptable.

3. Adjudicator reports will be written for the heats only. No marks will be given on these reports.

4. 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.

5. All arias must be sung in the original key and language set by the composer, and performed from memory with acoustic piano accompaniment.

6. No music scores required for upload.

7. Singers chosen for the Semi-Finals will be notified. Five finalists and two Reserve Finalists will be selected for the Final.

8. No official accompanist is provided for the Semi-Final or Final.

9. The awarding of the first and second place scholarships are at the discretion of the adjudicators and are given on the understanding that the winners will undertake study for the operatic stage, including vocal tuition/coaching, languages and stagecraft - domestically and/or internationally.

10. The scholarship recipients are 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 two years thereafter.

11. 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.

12. 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: Sponsored by a Donor through Sydney Eisteddfod - Total Prize: $18,000 ($3,000 cash plus a $15,000 Scholarship paid in two equal instalments).

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

Age limit for entrants is 35 years and under at 31 December 2025. Finalists must be Australian or New Zealand permanent residents. Previous winners are not eligible.