The Grange Festival International Singing Competition returns in Autumn 2019 Following a successful first edition in 2017, The Grange Festival International Singing Competition returns in Autumn 2019 with the final on Thursday 31 October 2019. Open to singers of any nationality up to 32 years old, the Competition is shaped to reflect the artistic vision behind The Grange Festival. Repertoire for the 2019 Competition is anything composed until 1830 with the orchestra for the final being The Academy of Ancient Music, conducted by Peter Robinson.

Both the semi-final (21 October) and final (31 October) will be public events taking place at Merchant Taylors’ Hall in London, with the award of contracts in future editions of The Grange Festival, as well as prizes of £10,000, £5,000 and £2,500 to the three highest placed finalists. Other prizes include the Audience Prize, Academy of Ancient Music Prize and Waynflete Singers Prize.

Made of representatives from the classical music and opera industry, the jury includes Dame Felicity Palmer (Patron); Michael Chance CBE (Artistic Director and CEO, The Grange Festival); David Gowland (Artistic Director, Jette Parker Young Artists ROH); Helen Hogh (Director of Vocal Artists, Groves Artists); Rosa Mannion (Professor of Singing, RCM); John Graham-Hall (Tenor); Peter Robinson (Competition Final Conductor); Scott Cooper (Director of Artistic Administration, The Grange Festival); Hugh Canning (Opera Critic, The Sunday Times); Mary Miller (General and Artistic Director, Bergen National Opera).

Artistic Director Michael Chance comments

“I hesitate to call this a competition, but an important showcase, albeit sadly with winners and losers, in front of many influential pairs of ears and eyes, as well as discerning and committed members of the public. There are many ways to touch an audience but asking competitors to be themselves and to relish every aspect of their craft is all we ask of them. I know that our competition will reveal treasures aplenty, and some obvious stars. The rewards on offer are also plentiful.”