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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

Elizabeth Connell was a South African dramatic soprano, who attained international acclaim for her performances throughout her career. She began her professional life singing as a mezzo soprano before transitioning to soprano. Her repertoire ranged from Rossini, Mozart and Bellini, to Strauss, Verdi and Wagner.  It was her love of the dramatic repertoire, which lead her to establish the Elizabeth Connell Prize. The competition’s aim, based on Elizabeth Connell’s own wishes, is to foster aspiring young dramatic female voices who show the potential to sing the more dramatic repertoire. Entrants do not have to currently be a dramatic soprano or dramatic mezzo soprano to enter, simply show potential. All repertoire is accepted, especially the lyric repertoire, which is highly encouraged for this age group. This competition is Elizabeth Connell’s legacy to the opera world.

No. of WinnersNo. of ScholarshipsTotal Cash Awarded
6269$612,000AUD

2026 Elizabeth Connell Prize Int. Singing Competition

12th Annual Elizabeth Connell Prize 2026

2026 Application Forms online NOW. Entries close 1 February 2026. 
Please download and read the full Rules & Criteria from the button above before filling in the online application form. 

Eligibility
1. Open to all female singers (sopranos and mezzo sopranos) born in 1991 or later.
2. Singers from all countries are accepted with the exception of some singers from the Russian Federation and Belarus.
3. Singers from the Russian Federation and Belarus who hold dual citizenship, and reside in another country other than Russia or Belarus, must hold a passport of that country. Proof of dual citizenship and residence in another country is essential to enter this competition. These entrants must also hold a bank account in their name outside of Russia or Belarus should they make the Final and win a prize.
4. All other entrants only need to provide proof of nationality with a passport or official photo I.D. (no drivers licences)
5. Prize money will only be paid into bank accounts in the name of the prize winner. 

Dates: Entries Close 1 February, 2026
Round 1: Via Video link
Rounds 2-4 live: 16-19 April, 2026 in London, UK
16 April: Quarter-final, Royal Academy of Music
17 April: Semi-final, Royal Academy of Music
18 April: Finalists' Rehearsal
19 April: Grand Final, Duke's Hall, Royal Academy of Music, London
UK Ticket Bookings for the Grand Final: www.ram.ac.uk/contact-box-office +44 (0)20 7873 7300 (not online yet)

2026 Prizes = £37,000
1st: £15,000
2nd: £7,500
3rd: £5,000
4th-6th: £3,000 each
Audience Prize: £500

Criteria - the full list is now available by clicking on the red button above. 
1. Age appropriate repertoire is highly recommended for this competition.
2. Entrants must show the potential to the sing the more dramatic repertoire.
3. Entrants must present a list of five contrasting arias with their application.
4. Arias must be sung in the original language, original key and no longer than 8.30 minutes.
5. One aria must be in German, one aria must be in Italian.
6. One of the arias must be by either Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, R. Strauss or Wagner.
7. Two contrasting arias must be sent via video link with the application. They can be in performance or recorded in a studio with either orchestra or piano. No enhancement must be used and the entrant's face must be clearly visible.
 8. The arias in the two aria links do not have to be included in your list of five arias for consideration should an entrant make it through to the final live rounds.
9. Arias from operetta or oratorio are unacceptable as are orchestral songs.
10. All entrants are responsible for acquiring the appropriate visa/ETA should they progress to the live rounds in London UK.
11. The AUD$100 entry fee is non-refundable. 

2025 Elizabeth Connell Prize Winners
LAUREN MARGISON from Canada wins the 2025 Elizabeth Connell Prize

1st: Lauren Margison - Canada
2nd: Edith Grossman - USA
3rd: Cecilia Lund Tomter - Norway
Audience Prize: Lauren Margison

Finalists
Breony Bearman - New Zealand
Taylor Haines - USA
Johanna Will - Germany

2025 ECP PROGRAMME LINK


View Elizabeth Connell Video Gallery

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$612,000 in prize money.

In previous years, the competition was 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 when airfares to Australia were impacted by the pandemic. The competition was held at Wigmore Hall in 2023 and 2024 then the Royal Academy of Music in 2025. In 2026, the competition will again be held in London at The Royal Academy of Music. 

Previous Judges
Throughout the competition, judges have included Richard Bonynge, Dame Anne Evans, Christa Ludwig, Ruth Falcon, Dame Ann Murray, James Morris, Simone Young, Peter Katona, David Gowland, Deborah Polaski, Jane Eaglen, Christine Goerke, Sharon Sweet, Bernadette Cullen, Glenn Winslade, Marilyn Richardson, Nance Grant, Isabel Murphy, Brenda Hurley, James Black, Simon O'Neill, 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

News Item Links
Limelight Magazine 2023 Q-F Announced
Operawire - 2021
Mundoclasico - 2021
Limelight Magazine - 2021
Limelight Magazine - 2019
Limelight Magazine - 2018
Limelight Magazine - 2017
Limelight Magazine - 2016
Limelight Magazine - 2015
Limelight Magazine - 2014
Opera Magazine - 2015
Elizabeth Connell Bequeaths Prize

Other Links
Elizabeth Connell Biography

Winners