Section
Drop element here!

Apply Online

Rules & Criteria

Sign up 

UPDATE as of 20 April: The 2023 applications are now online. Please read the Rules & Criteria pages for further information and dates. 

Final: 28, 29 October 2023 in Sydney

London entries close 21 May - Auditions 1 June

All other entries close 18 June.
Audition cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Auckland NZ.

The Age limit has been increased to 32 as of 1 November 2023.

Open to all Australian and New Zealand singers.

Singers must have a Mozart or Handel aria and 4 other opera arias. Oratorio is accepted. 

Established in 2011, the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award is one of Australia's leading operatic singing competitions. Its aim is to promote the bel canto style of singing and repertoire synonymous with Dame Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge. Since inception, over $1.2million in scholarships has been awarded. 

Previous judges throughout the competition have included Richard Bonynge,
Simone Young, Dame Anne Evans, Christa Ludwig, Ruth Falcon, Dame Ann Murray, James Morris, Deborah Polaski, Jane Eaglen, Bernadette Cullen, Simon O'Neill ONZM, Glenn Winslade, Marilyn Richardson, Nance Grant, Brenda Hurley, Lisa Gasteen, Patricia Price, Margaret Russell, Anson Austin, John Pringle, Jennifer McGregor, Michael Lewis, Ghillian Sullivan and Fiona Janes.

Click on the Rules & Criteria button above.
 
OPEN TO ALL AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS OF ALL VOICE TYPES AGED 20-32 as of 1 NOVEMBER 2023.

Prizes: All finalists will receive a cash prize. 
Previous first prize winners from 2011-2019 are unable to enter. Grants recipients are eligible to enter. 

Enquiries: belcantoaward@jsrbfoundation.com

Bel Canto Award on YouTube

Previous Winners