Herald Sun Aria

19/08/2024

After 12 beautiful performances, the following 6 singers have advanced to the final of the Herald Sun Aria, to be held at Melbourne Recital Centre on Saturday 19 October at 300pm

Bailey Montgomerie
Darcy Carroll
Bronwyn Douglass
Felicity Tomkins
Asher Reichman
Henry Shaw

Congratulations to everyone. We were treated to some phenomenal singing this evening. Tickets for the final will be on sale at MRC on Friday 23 August after 1100am

19/08/2024

Congratulations to the 12 semi finalists for the Herald Sun Aria - in order of appearance:

Shikara Ringdahl
Breanna Stuart
Bailey Montgomerie
Alessia Pintabona
Darcy Carroll
Bronwyn Douglass
Lachlan Lawton
Felicity Tomkins
Cen Wei
Asher Reichman
Henry Shaw
Lily Ward
Please note: the semi-final will commence at 7.00pm this evening in the Minerva Space, Ballaarat Mechanics Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Tickets to watch are available at the door

18/08/2024

The first day of the Herald Sun Aria heats for 2024 has concluded. We have heard some fine singing, and are looking forward to the last round of heats tomorrow morning before the semi-final tomorrow evening. Congratulations to those who have taken part so far.
Tickets to watch either the heats in the morning commencing at 10am or the semifinal at 700pm tomorrow will be available at the door, or you can purchase online through this link Royal South Street Society

The Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod stands as the premier eisteddfod in Australia, promoting and encouraging participation, enjoyment and enrichment through the performing arts, since 1891 Royal South Street…

16/08/2024

We are very excited that the heats and semi final for the Centenary of the Herald Sun Aria Award will take place this Sunday 18 & Monday 19 August from 1000am each day at the Minerva space, Ballaarat Mechanics Institute. The semi final will be held on Monday 19 August at 7.00pm in the Minerva Space. Royal South Street Society staff have done a sterling job in organising 55 applicants for this most prestigious award, twelve of whom will go through to the semi final. If you would like to attend, tickets are available for $20 at the door, or can be purchased via this link www.royalsouthstreet.com.au - just scroll down and select the date and session time you would like to attend. Full colour programmes are $5 each and can be purchased at the door, or via this link https://royalsouthstreet.com.au/guidebook-herald-sun-aria/

Chief adjudicator will be Greg Hocking AM, ably assisted by Stephen Smith. Singers will be accompanied by Dean Sky-Lucas

21/12/2023

10/10/2023

What an exhilarating afternoon of exceptional singing! The adjudicators had their work cut out! Congratulations to all six finalists.

The winner of the 99th Herald Sun Aria with Melbourne Opera Medownick First Prize is Rachael Joyce Soprano
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Prize went to Imogen Faith Malfitano
Richard Divall Prize went to Jane Magão - Soprano & Director
John Fulford Prize went to Nuolin Ouyang
Runners-up Prizes went to Daniel Felton - Baritone and Joshua Oxley

Many thanks to our wonderful sponsors:
Drs Mark & Alla Medownick for the Medownick First Prize
Mrs Janet Calvert-Jones AO for the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Prize
Lady Potter AC CMRI for the Richard Divall Prize
Mr Barry Janes and friends for the John Fulford Prize
Melbourne Opera for the runners-up Prizes
With these wonderful sponsors, this competition continues, and next year will celebrate its hundredth year. Please join us for it!

Huge thanks also to our esteemed adjudicators, Helena Dix Soprano, Antoinette Halloran and Greg Hocking AM. A very big thanks also to Mairi Nicolson, who brought humour and light to the podium, and to the VCASS Chamber Choir under the direction of Dermot Tutty, with accompaniment by Dean Sky-Lucas - a wonderful performance.

Finally, the Melbourne Opera Orchestra under the baton of Raymond Lawrence. accompanied the singers beautifully.

Thank you too Rebecca Rashleigh for assisting everyone backstage so ably.

06/10/2023

Very best wishes to all six finalists at the 99th Aria competition tomorrow. There are still a few tickets left. Do join us at 3.00 pm at Melbourne Recital Centre

https://www.melbournerecital.com.au/events/2023/herald-sun-aria/

Daniel Felton – Baritone
Imogen-Faith Malfitano - Soprano
Jane Magão – Soprano
Joshua Oxley – Tenor
Nuolin Ouyang – Baritone
Rachael Joyce - Soprano

07/08/2023

Well, the semi finals have concluded, and what a tough job for the adjudicators Greg Hocking AM and Helena Dix Soprano!

The singers below will go on to compete in the final competition of the Herald Sun Aria on Saturday 7th October at 3.00pm at Melbourne Recital Centre

Daniel Felton
Rachael Joyce
Nuolin Ouyang
Joshua Oxley
Jane Magão
Imogen-Faith Malfitano

Dean Sky-Lucas did a superlative job accompanying the singers for all the heats, rehearsals and semi finals. Thank you Dean.

Thanks too to Royal South Street Society, Peter Zala, Carolyn, Louise, Jason Wasley, Adam Miller, Lindsay Eaton and all the volunteers without which these last two days would not have run so wonderfully smoothly.

Thanks to Nui Te Koha and David Geraghty from the Herald Sun for the coverage of the semi’s. Please - buy the paper tomorrow to see the story and photos.

Lastly, congratulations to every singer who competed and performed so well in this prestigious competition. It was a pleasure to hear you perform 🎶

06/08/2023

Congratulations to the 12 semi finalists for the Herald Sun Aria - in order of appearance:

Daniel Felton
Andrew Alesi
Rachael Joyce
Lisette Bolton
Nuolin Ouyang
Joshua Oxley
Syrah Torii
Jane Magão
Thomas Buckmaster
Chloe Elise Lankshear
Imogen-Faith Malfitano
Belinda Dalton

Please note: the semi-final tomorrow will commence at 6.30pm (not 7.00pm as previously stated) at Loreto College,
1600 Sturt Street, Ballarat

06/08/2023

Heats for the 99th Aria competition have commenced in Ballarat this morning. A big thank you to Peter Zala and all the team at Royal South Street Society, accompanist Dean Sky-Lucas and adjudicators Greg Hocking AM and Helena Dix Soprano.

Heats are being held at Loreto Ballarat, with the second session commencing at 4.30pm. Semi-finals will be held tomorrow Monday 7th August at the same beautiful venue - commencing at 6.30pm.
An amazing opportunity to hear some of our finest voices.
Tickets available at the door - $10. A wonderful afternoon to enjoy many of opera’s greatest hits!

13/07/2023

Tickets for the 99th Herald Sun Aria grand final competition to be held on Saturday 7th October at 300 pm are on sale today. Get them here:

Melbourne Recital Centre acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work, live, perform and learn. We pay our respects to people of the Kulin nation, their Elders past and present and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

26/05/2023

It's Herald Sun Aria time again! Applications close on 31st May 2023. Log in here if you have not already applied (you may have to set up an account): https://my.stardom.com.au/Login.aspx
Heats and semi finals will take place on 5th & 6th August, 2023
Heat 1: Saturday 5th August(afternoon)
Heat 2: Saturday 5th August (evening)
Semi Final: Sunday 6th August
Rehearsal 12.30pm
Semi Final 4.30pm
Venue: The Abbey Theatre, Mary’s Mount Centre,
1600 Sturt Street, Ballarat 3350

Final Herald Sun Aria competition will take place on Saturday 7th October 2023 at 3.00pm at Melbourne Recital Centre

02/10/2022

What an afternoon! Congratulations to all the finalists in today’s 98th Aria competition! Tough job for the adjudicators!

Medownick First Prize went to counter tenor Austin Haynes
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Prize went to soprano Amelia Wawrzon
Richard Divall Prize went to soprano Emily Szabo
John Fulford Prize went to soprano Samantha Hargreaves
Finalist Prizes went to Adam Jon and Jordan Kahler

Heartfelt thanks to:

Medownick First Prize Sponsors - Drs Mark & Alla Medownick
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Prize - Mrs Janet Calvert-Jones AO
Richard Divall Prize - Lady Primrose Potter AC CMRI
John Fulford Prize - Mr Barry Janes and friends
Finalists Prizes - Melbourne Opera

Delighted thanks too to Dermot Tutty and Esplanade Trio for wonderful guest artist performances, to Megan Burslem as compère, adjudicators Christine Douglas OAM, John Pickering & Greg Hocking AM, and to Royal South Street Society &
Melbourne Opera

👏👏👏👏👏👏

01/10/2022

Very best wishes to all six finalists at the 98th Aria competition today. There are still a few tickets left. Do join us at 3.00 pm at Melbourne Recital Centre
https://www.melbournerecital.com.au/events/2022/98th-herald-sun-aria-with-melbourne-opera/

Adam Jon - Baritone
Amelia Warwzon - Soprano
Austin Haynes - Counter Tenor
Emily Szabo - Soprano
Jordan Kahler - Soprano
Samantha Hargreaves - Soprano

27/07/2022

Congratulations to the finalists who will sing for the 98th Herald Sun Aria with Melbourne Opera competition on 2nd October 2022 at Melbourne Recital Centre

Adam Jon
Amelia Wawrzon
Austin Haynes
Emily Szabo
Jordan Kahler
Samantha Hargreaves

Get your tickets for the final at 3.00 pm on 2nd October here:
https://www.melbournerecital.com.au/events/2022/98th-herald-sun-aria-with-melbourne-opera/
Pictured: Participants and sponsors - 2021 Herald Sun Aria with Melbourne Opera Final

Founded in 1924, the Aria is proudly the oldest and most prestigious competition in Australia for emerging classical singers. Join compere, Mairi Nicholson from ABC Classic FM’s, guest artists from Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, and of course our finalists for a memorable afternoo...

27/07/2022

27/07/2022

03/05/2022

We join the music world in paying tribute to the wonderful artist Max Riebl, who has sadly left us at far too young an age. Max was the 2017 winner of the Herald Sun Aria competition. We send our love and sympathy to Bethany and their children, Max's parents, brother and sister, and to his extended family.
https://limelightmagazine.com.au/news/max-riebl-has-died/

The ethereally voiced Australian countertenor Max Riebl, described "as a prince of a human being", has died of cancer, aged 30.

16/12/2021

Congratulations to Mezzo, Naomi Flatman, recipient of the Medownick's Winners Prize, and winner of the Herald Sun Aria presented with Melbourne Opera in this its 97th year.

We wish Naomi and all of our talented, young finalists the very best for the future.

13/12/2021

INTRODUCING OUR ADJUDICATORS:

Suzanne Johnston - Mezzosoprano
Merlyn Quaife AM - Soprano
Greg Hocking AM - Conductor

We're so thrilled to have their expertise and knowledge at hand as our talented, young finalists perform and compete for over $60 000 worth of prizes.

Tickets are still available for the 97th Herald Sun Aria with Melbourne Opera.

Dec 16th at 7:30PM at Melbourne Recital Centre:
https://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=HSARIA21

12/12/2021

INTRODUCING OUR FINALISTS:

Jane Magão
Soprano

Jane Magão is a Sunshine Coast born, Melbourne based soprano, graduating from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music in 2016 and currently studies with Carrie Barr. Jane is an associate artist with Melbourne Opera and alumnus of the Richard Divall Emerging Artist Programme.

Career highlights include her recent debut as Despina in IOpera’s Cosi fan tutte, Adele in Die Fledermaus, Barbarina and Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, Soeur Constance in Dialogues des Carmelites and the Dew Fairy in Hänsel und Gretel. Upcoming roles include Galatea in IOpera’s production of Acis and Galatea, and a Mädchen in Mahagonny with Melbourne Opera and IOpera.


Get your tickets to hear Jane compete in the 97th Herald Sun Aria with Melbourne Opera.

Dec 16th at 7:30PM at Melbourne Recital Centre :

https://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=HSARIA21

10/12/2021

INTRODUCING OUR FINALISTS:

James Emerson
Bass-baritone

James Emerson is a bass-baritone, who has performed in professional operatic productions, concerts and recitals since the age of eight. He has won numerous awards from many Eisteddfods and vocal competitions, and recently was a finalist in the National Liederfest competition where he was awarded the Brian Hansford Award and the Alan McArthur Memorial Award for the best ensemble of voice and piano.

James is a chorister, cantor and guest artist with various choirs throughout Melbourne, such as the Victoria Chorale, Box Hill Chorale, The Melbourne Singers, Maroondah Singers and the Melbourne Bach Choir.

James has now completed his Masters of Music in Opera Performance at The University of Melbourne and aims to be a versatile operatic singer with ambitions to study and perform both locally and internationally.

Get your tickets to hear James compete in the 97th Herald Sun Aria with Melbourne Opera .

Dec 16th at 7:30PM at Melbourne Recital Centre :

https://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=HSARIA21

09/12/2021

INTRODUCING OUR FINALISTS:

Alastair Cooper-Golec
Tenor

Alastair Cooper-Golec holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) and in 2020 obtained his Master of Music (Opera Performance) degree at the University of Melbourne.

Performance credits include Tamino (Die Zauberflöte), Rinuccio (Gianni Schicchi), Pluto/Mercury (Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld), and Albert (Albert Herring). He has performed as the tenor soloist in Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s B Minor Mass with Scots’ Church Melbourne.

Alastair performed in Pinchgut’s production of Rameau’s Pygmalion and Anacréon in 2017. He has appeared in several Victorian Opera productions, including The Pearl Fishers and their touring production of The Barber of Seville.

Alastair is an alumnus of Songmakers Australia’s young artist programme Young Songmakers Australia, and is a current member of Melbourne Opera’s Richard Divall Emerging Artist Programme.

Get your tickets to hear Alastair compete in the 97th Herald Sun Aria with Melbourne Opera.

Dec 16th at 7:30PM at Melbourne Recital Centre :

https://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=HSARIA21

08/12/2021

INTRODUCING OUR FINALISTS:

Naomi Flatman
Mezzo-Soprano

Swiss-Australian mezzo-soprano Naomi Flatman stage credits include Flora (Australian premiere of The Enchanted Pig, ACOCo Yarra Valley Opera Festival 2019) Rosina /Aunty Bartola / Basilia (the Barber of Seville, Opera Australia Schools Tour), Dorabella (Cosi fan Tutte) and A Handmaids Tale (ACOCo Yarra Valley Opera Festival 2018), Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro Theatre Arnstadt, Germany), Bastien in Bastien and Bastienne (Brisbane City Opera), Lia in Debussy’s L’enfant prodigue, Nancy Waters (Albert Herring), and Nina in the world premiere of Floods.

In concert, Naomi has performed the mezzo soprano solo of; Handel’s Messiah, JS Bach’s Easter Oratorio and Cantata 63, JCF Bach’s Die Auferweckung des Lazarus Oratorio. Both Haydn's Paukenmesse, and the "Nelson" Mass, as well as Mozart's Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, Requiem, and Coronation Mass.

She was the winner of Liederfest 2021, runner up in the 2019 Australasian Glyndebourne Opera Cup heat, winner of the Australian Concerto and Vocal competition 2018, and awarded both the Elizabeth Muir and Linda Edith Allen Awards at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University 2018 and 2016.

Naomi was a young artist with Australian Contemporary Opera Company, Melbourne for 2018 and 2019. She has a Bachelor of Music in Advanced Performance (2016) and a Graduate Certificate in Music studies in Opera Performance (2018) both from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. Naomi is a current member of the Melbourne Opera Richard Divall Emerging Artist Program.

Get your tickets to hear Naomi compete in the 97th Herald Sun Aria with Melbourne Opera .

Dec 16th at 7:30PM at Melbourne Recital Centre :

https://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=HSARIA21

07/12/2021

INTRODUCING OUR FINALISTS:

Imogen-Faith Malfitano
Soprano

Imogen-Faith Malfitano completed her Bachelor of Music (Performance) and Masters
in Music Studies (Opera Performance) at The Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she was awarded multiple scholarships, including: the prestigious ESTIVO program in Italy and an
Internship with Opera Australia.

This season, Imogen performed the role of Rosina in The Barber of Seville (OperaAustralia’s NSW schools tour), following her performance as Agatha, The Queen of Hearts/Contrary Mary/The Spider in By the light of the Moon.

Imogen has been a finalist in the Sydney Eisteddfod Opera Scholarship, Opera Foundation’s Lady Fairfax New York Scholarship, Fine Music Young Virtuosi Award and Semi-Finalist in the IFAC Handa and Australian Singing Competition.

Notably, Imogen has performed solo at the Queens Gala dinner for Honourable John Howard and official secretary to the Governor, Mr Michael Miller RFD and His Excellency, Governor General, The Honourable David Hurley as part of the Australian-Britain Society.

As a Young Artist with Pacific Opera, Imogen won Cowras’ Patricia Fagan Operatic aria championship and was awarded an encouragement prize by the Bel Canto
Foundation, as well as the honour of singing in Maestro Richard Bonynge’s Masterclass.

In 2022 Imogen will make her debut as Mimì in La Boheme with Penrith Symphony Orchestra and cover the role of Michaela in Opera Australia’s production of Carmen on Cockatoo Island.

Get your tickets to hear Imogen-Faith compete in the 97th Herald Sun Aria with Melbourne Opera.

Dec 16th at 7:30PM at Melbourne Recital Centre :

https://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=HSARIA21

06/12/2021

INTRODUCING OUR FINALISTS:

Darcy Carroll
Baritone

Darcy Carroll holds a Master of Music (Opera Performance) from the University of Melbourne.

His recent career highlights include:
Guglielmo in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte (iOpera), Messager/Spirit/cover Banquo in Verdi's Macbeth (Melbourne Opera); Donner in Wagner’s Das Rheingold (Melbourne Opera); Papageno in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (Lyric Opera Studio Weimar); the title role in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Jupiter in Offenbach’s Orphée aux enfers, and Sid in Britten’s Albert Herring (The University of Melbourne).

Darcy is a former emerging artist and current associate artist with Melbourne Opera’s Richard Divall Emerging Artist Program, and is the recipient of the 2021 German-Australian Opera Grant.

Get your tickets to hear Darcy compete in the 97th Herald Sun Aria with Melbourne Opera

Dec 16th at 7:30PM at Melbourne Recital Centre :

https://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=HSARIA21

Melbourne Opera

04/12/2021

Our most famous and glamorous Herald Sun Aria winner of yesteryear, Dame Marjorie Lawrence.

One of the world's greatest singers grew up on a dairy farm near Winchelsea, Victoria.

03/12/2021

Tune in to 103.5FM 3MBS Fine Music - Melbourne today at 1PM for Alfreds "Vocal Chords" to hear our Herald Sun Aria Finalists Jane Magão and Alastair Cooper-Golec perform live-to-air with repetiteur extraordinaire Phillipa Safey as well as an interview our finalists and our conductor/adjudicator Melbourne Opera.

01/12/2021

Bravi to our Finalists!

Darcy Carroll
Imogen Faith Malfitano
Naomi Flatman
James Emerson
Jane Magão
Alastair Cooper-Golec




Melbourne Opera
Melbourne Recital Centre
Her Majesty's Ballarat

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/six-rising-opera-stars-chosen-for-herald-sun-aria-showdown/news-story/84db9edb31fdf9fc28c20025edd29a00

Acclaimed soprano Merlyn Quaife has congratulated six rising opera singers for pushing through lockdown and shining on stage ahead of the 2021 Herald Sun Aria.