Welcome to the Elizabeth Connell Prize International Singing Competition for Sopranos and Mezzo-sopranos.

Patrons: Richard Bonynge AC CBE, Dame Anne Evans DBE, Bernadette Cullen
Est. 2014

2025 Elizabeth Connell Prize Int. Singing Competition

2024 Elizabeth Connell Prize Winners

1st: Eliza Boom - New Zealand
2nd: Yuliya Pogrebnyak - Ukraine
3rd: Madison Horman - New Zealand
Audience Prize: Yuliya Pogrebnyak

Finalists
Hedvig Haugerund - Norway
Esther Tonea - USA
Melissa Zgouridi - USA/Brazil

LIVE STREAM - 22 JUNE at 1pm GMT London
Links
Wigmore Hall website – https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/live  
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/events/315914604911320/
YouTube - https://youtube.com/live/CrCwVQxCdlg?feature=share

2024 Jury 
Dame Anne Evans - dramatic soprano
David Gowland - Artsitic Director, Jette Parker Young Artist Programme,  ROH Covent Garden
Bernadette Cullen - dramatic mezzo soprano
Isabel Murphy - Selection committee for BBC Cardiff Singer of the World and casting advisor to Longborough Festival's Ring Cycle
Fiona Janes - mezzo soprano, Trustee and CEO

Accompanied by: Paul Plummer
Compere: Anne Marabini Young

History
Created from a legacy left by the South African soprano Elizabeth Connell, the competition is open to SOPRANOS & MEZZO SOPRANOS of all nationalities aged under 35. The competition is to financially assist female opera singers who show the potential to move into the more dramatic repertoire. Since 2014, the ECP has awarded AUD$458,000 in prize money.

In previous years, the competition has been held over 3 rounds. Video application, then live auditions throughout the world with five finalists flown to Sydney, Australia to compete in the Final. After two years of online competitions and the awarding of cash grants, in 2023 the Trustees decided to hold the competition in London whilst airfares to Australia are impacted due to the pandemic. In 2024, the competition will again b e held in London at Wigmore Hall. 

Previous Judges
Throughout the competition, judges have included Richard Bonynge, Simone Young, Dame Anne Evans, Christa Ludwig, Ruth Falcon, Dame Ann Murray, James Morris, Peter Katona, Deborah Polaski, Jane Eaglen, Christine Goerke, Sharon Sweet, Bernadette Cullen, Glenn Winslade, Marilyn Richardson, Nance Grant, Isabel Murphy, Brenda Hurley, Patricia Price, Jennifer McGregor and Fiona Janes.

Donations & Bequests
Donations of $2 or more are fully tax deductible and can be made via direct deposit or by cheque.

Cheques to: “The Elizabeth Connell Scholarship Fund” – P.O. Box 2692 Bowral NSW 2576 Australia.

Direct Deposit
Bank: ANZ Bank
Acct Name: The Elizabeth Connell Scholarship Fund
Acct No: 4079 37962
BSB: 012 547
Swift Bic: ANZBAU3M

Please ensure you state your name as a reference and email us at econnellprize@jsrbfoundation as to how you would like to receive you receipt.
Bequests can also be made to The Elizabeth Connell Scholarship Fund. We would love to acknowledge your bequest so do tell us.
We also value your privacy, therefore, fully understand if you would rather keep your bequest private.

Sponsorship
If you would like to sponsor a prize, please contact the administration on +61 (0) 40 202 4118 or by email at: econnellprize@jsrbfoundation.com

Major Donors
The Estate of Jesselene Simpson
Michael Barnes
Elizabeth Corbett & Mark Finlay
Universal Music Australia

Trustees for the Elizabeth Connell Scholarship Fund
Michael Barnes, Elizabeth Corbett, Bernadette Cullen, Barbara de Rome, Fiona Janes