Supporting Emerging Artists
The Competition for Colorado Singers
Experience the thrill of discovering Colorado’s next great opera stars! This annual competition showcases the finest young vocal talent in the state, featuring singers ages 23–32 in a dazzling display of artistry, passion, and technique. Finalists perform before a panel of distinguished judges — and an enthusiastic audience — vying for prestigious awards that help launch professional careers.
Join us for a day of extraordinary music, free to the public. Whether you stay for one aria or the entire event, you’ll witness the future of opera unfold before your eyes.
The Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition for Colorado Singers
The Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition for Colorado Singers is a prestigious annual event designed to spotlight and support the state’s most promising young operatic talent.
- Who can compete: Opera singers aged 23 to 32 as of February 1 of the competition year — no age waivers are granted.
- Eligibility: Contestants must be Colorado residents, enrolled in an accredited Colorado college/university, or active in a Colorado opera company’s young artist program. Proof of residency or enrollment is required.
- Preliminaries: A full day of performances before a panel of distinguished judges.
- Finals: The top 15 singers return to perform for prizes and recognition.
- Prizes: Significant cash awards to help further singers’ professional careers, including a $10,000.00 first-place prize.
- Audience: Free admission with open seating — attendees can stay for the entire event or come and go between performances.
Can’t attend in person? Our Competition Finals are streamed live on DLOG’s YouTube channel, so you can enjoy the performances from anywhere.
Why it Matters:
Since its inception in 1984, the competition has awarded over $1,000,000.00 in prize money and helped launch the careers of many singers who have gone on to perform with major companies such as Opera Colorado, Santa Fe Opera, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and even the Metropolitan Opera.
Competition Objectives
Launched in 1984, the annual Competition for Colorado Singers is the Guild’s signature event. It is designed to:
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- Spotlight and support promising young operatic talent in Colorado.
- Provide substantial financial awards and professional exposure to help singers ages 23–32 pursue operatic careers.
- Offer mentorship and performance opportunities that can lead to engagements with major opera companies.
Impact
Since inception, the Competition has awarded over $1,000,000 in prize money and helped launch careers of singers who have gone on to perform with prestigious companies like the Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Colorado, and San Francisco Opera
