The Pavilion, Kingham Lodge,  OX7 6YL. £15 / under 21's £5

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The prestigious Singing Competition is one of the highlights of the Festival. It is pitched at emerging opera singers at start of their career and judged by eminent operatic experts.  The concert will comprise solo performances by eight pre-selected finalists, each performing three pieces in turn. The audience will have the opportunity to vote, and there is an interval with a licensed bar and a chance to look round the fabulous garden.

 

Our panel of judges brings a wealth of technical knowledge, performance experience and teaching expertise. In what is an incredibly competitive field these talented young performers will be critiqued on every aspect of their performance and must seek to impress each of our elite judges. We are delighted that Yvonne Sandison (Mezzo-soprano) will join us as 2026 Guest Adjudicator. The other members of the Adjudicating Panel are Festival founders Richard Coxon (Tenor) and Claire Bradshaw (Mezzo-soprano). The overall winner receives a judges' prize of £2,000 and there is also an audience prize of £500 and the Sylvia Richards English Song Prize of £250. The overall winner also take homes an invitation to perform at a future festival.

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The majority of past winners have gone on to have stellar operatic careers, performing in major operatic venues across the globe.