7th Annual Elizabeth Connell Prize

Elizabeth Connell was a South African international dramatic soprano. She sang the full range of soprano repertoire from Rossini and Mozart to Strauss, Verdi and Wagner. This is her legacy as requested by her before she died in 2012. The Elizabeth Connell Prize is to help promote female opera singers who show the potential to sing the more dramatic repertoire. Singers do not have to currently be a dramatic soprano or dramatic mezzo soprano to enter, simply show potential. All repertoire is accepted including the lyric repertoire which is encouraged for this age group.

The 2021 Competition

1: Due to continued Covid-19 travel restrictions to and from Australia, the 2021 competition will be held online.

2: There will be no live auditions. Entrants must apply online with video links.

3: The prizes in 2021 will be in the form of cash prizes with a minimum of AUD$60,000 on offer.

4: This year, the competition is open to professional Sopranos and Mezzo sopranos aged 25-34 as of 1 April 2021 from all nationalities who are currently performing or show the potential to perform the more dramatic repertoire.

5: Qualifying entrants must be singers who have lost contracted principal work due to Covid-19.

6: Lost contracted work does not have to include dramatic repertoire or roles.

7. Any female professional principal singer may enter the competition with the exception of previous first prize winners of the Elizabeth Connell Competition.

8. Entrants must provide all the following items listed under Round 1 before the closing date of entries.

9. Entries close: 30 JUNE 2021

See website for specific recording requirements.