The Opera Foundation for Young Artist has revealed the winners of its 2023 Awards, marking the organization's 60th anniversary. Throughout its history, the Foundation has granted over $6 million in funding to talented young Australian opera artists. This year, the Award was open to Australians residing abroad, offering recipients of various ages and career stages transformative opportunities such as performances, language tutoring, and professional coaching. According to CEO Alison Cole, many Australian opera singers face challenges finding employment without solid connections. Singing in foreign countries and collaborating with renowned artists worldwide allows them to truly experience and perform German or Italian operas in their respective countries, which is an invaluable experience.
The inaugural Lady Fairfax La Scala Award was bestowed upon NSW baritone Andrew Williams, granting him the opportunity to spend four months as a Stipendiat at Milan's La Scala during its 2024/2025 season. He will also receive Italian language lessons as part of the award. Williams, currently a Principal Young Artist with Opera Australia, made his debut earlier this year with the company as Masetto in Don Giovanni. He has also performed in Carmen and portrayed Figaro in The Barber of Saville. In addition, Williams received the Foundation Prize in the 2018 Bel Canto Award and an encouragement award in the German Australian Opera Grant.
Vienna-based soprano Anna Voshege has been honored with the Michael Byrne Vienna State Opera Award. This accolade allows Voshege to join the Vienna State Opera for coaching, performance opportunities, and the chance to cover roles starting from December. Originally from Victoria, Voshege participated in the world premiere of Alma Duetcher's Cinderella alongside the Vienna Philharmonic. She has performed with the West Australian and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras, as well as Vienna's Mozart and Hofburg Orchestras. Voshege won the 2017 Richard Strauss Singing Competition and was a finalist in the IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition.
Stephen Marsh has been chosen as the recipient of the Deutsche Oper Berlin Award, which will enable him to be part of the Deutsche Oper Berlin for 11 months during the company's 2024/2025 season. He will also receive German language lessons at the Goethe-Institute. Marsh made his Australian debut in Sleeping Beauty with Victorian Opera in 2017 and internationally as Marcello in La Bohème at the Verbier Festival. He has been a scholar with Melba Opera Trust and was the inaugural member of Melbourne Opera's Richard Divall Emerging Artist Program.
The Berlin Music Opera Award was presented to Monique Langford, a set and costume designer from New South Wales. Langford will join the design team of Deutsche Oper Berlin during the 2023/2024 season. In addition to her work as a designer, Langford is also a violinist and dancer. She contributed to National Opera Canberra's production of Alcina in 2022 and has collaborated with theater companies such as New Ghosts Theatre, Heart Strings, Fervour, and Secret House. Langford was nominated for Best Stage Design at the 2023 Sydney Theatre Awards and was a Theatre Works Associate Artist in 2018.
The Lady Galleghan London Award was granted to Victorian mezzo-soprano Chloe Harris. This award provides her with the opportunity to be part of the chorus in La bohème at Opera Holland Park, as well as an audition and consultation with Diva Opera. She will also have performance opportunities with the Tait Memorial Trust and receive coaching. Harris, a student at the Royal Academy Opera, performed in the world premiere of VO's The Selfish Giant. She is an Associate Artist with Melbourne Opera and was a Melba Opera Trust Artist for the 2020/2021 season. Harris won the Richard Divall Prize in the 2019 Herald Sun Aria Competition.
Chelsea Burns, a soprano from Western Australia, received the American Institute of Musical Studies Award. This award will allow her to attend the six-week Summer School course in Austria during July. Burns made her debut in West Australian Opera's recorded production of The Telephone and has been a Wesfarmers Arts Young Artist. She also performed in Iolanta as part of the company's in-person mainstage opera. A graduate of the Royal College of Music, Burns has collaborated with Opera North in Leeds and participated in its Chorus Mentorship Scheme.
Notable alumni of the Awards include vocalists Cheryl Barker, Barry Ryan, Jessica Pratt, Siobhan Stan, Alexandra Flood, as well as directors Cameron Menzies and Constantine Costi. According to CEO Alison Cole, the Awards are distinctive in their mission to provide opportunities for careers in opera. The Foundation's aim is to open doors to major opera stages and support artists with realistic funding, professional development, guidance, and overall support, setting it apart from other organizations.
Source: LIMELIGHT
