The Competition

The George London Awards process begins with an annual applicant pool of over 150 talented opera singers, each vying for the chance to launch or advance their careers through this esteemed competition. From this pool, a maximum of 90 singers are selected to participate in a rigorous preliminary round, held over the course of three days. During this stage, each singer is typically asked to perform two arias for the panel of judges, showcasing their vocal range, technical skill, and emotional expressiveness. In some cases, singers may be requested to perform a third aria, allowing the judges to fully assess their capabilities and artistic potential.

Following the preliminary round, up to 15 singers are chosen as finalists and given the opportunity to compete in the finals, held at the prestigious Morgan Library and Museum. Here, each finalist performs one aria selected by the judges, presenting their artistry to both the panel and a discerning audience. The final performances are critical, as they lead directly to the judges' deliberation, where up to five singers are awarded the coveted George London Award, each receiving $12,000. The remaining finalists, while not receiving the top award, are recognized for their exceptional talent with encouragement awards of $2,000 each, ensuring that every finalist leaves the competition with both recognition and support to further their careers.