Section
Drop element here!

Apply Online

Rules & Criteria

Sign Up For Updates

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, 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.

2022 BEL CANTO AWARD UPDATE AT 14 MAY 2022

Applications forms are now available above - simply Apply Online.   Entries close 24 July 2022.

Click on the Rules & Criteria button above or here

Finals judged by Richard Bonynge AC CBE

 The competition Final will be held LIVE in Sydney on 19 and 20 November, 2022.

OPEN TO ALL AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS OF ALL VOICE TYPES AGED 20-30 as of 30 November 2022.

Auditions will be held live and via video link. 

Prizes - Minimum of $60,000 in prize money on offer. All finalists will receive a cash prize. 

The 2022 JSRB Bel Canto Award will be held in conjunction with the 4th Sydney International Song 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