The Richard Wagner Society (VIC) – of which I am the Secretary – is once again able to offer a Young Artist Award for attendance of the 2020 Bayreuth Festival (23-30 August 2020). The award is for a young Australian person, under 35 years old (as at 20 June 2020), studying to be a singer or in another operatic métier (e.g. director, conductor, musician, designer) who would benefit from the experience and hopefully be involved in Wagner productions in the future. This is a fantastic opportunity for the young artist to experience first class productions of Wagnerian works at Wagner’s Bayreuth Festspielhaus, and an opportunity to meet some of the artists and network with industry people and opera aficionados.

Past winners of this award have been Greg Eldridge, opera director (2018) and Sophie Burns, mezzo soprano (2019)

The Award

Applications are now open. The award consists of tickets to Tannhäuser and the Ring Cycle from 23 August to 30 August 2020, accommodation, a daily stipend and some allowance to contribute towards travel costs.  As we are unable to cover all travel (e.g. airfare and trains), the award may be easier for persons already studying in Europe or persons who have plans to be in Europe around this time.  However, if the applicants are willing to travel from Australia and able to foot most of the travel costs themselves, they are welcome to apply. As a guide, about $1000 AUD  may be available towards travel on presentation of receipts.

Applications and Judging

Applicants are to send in a résumé of training and experiences, a photo for reference, and a cover letter stating why they would like to win this award, how they feel it would be relevant to their careers, and why they should be chosen for the award.  Having references as well as links to own websites and/or to recordings (e.g. on YouTube or on a file share platform such as Dropbox) would be beneficial for the application. Applications will be assessed by a panel of judges led by Miki Oikawa, Secretary of the RWS Inc (VIC). The panel, approved by the Society’s Executive, will consist of industry experts including opera directors and vocal coaches.  Judging will be based on the artist’s current skills, the potential to make a career in opera, demonstration of artistic aptitude and willingness to learn and make the best of this opportunity. 

The Society reserves the right to make no award for 2020.

Applications should be sent to me by email: secretary@wagnermelb.org.au by 7/2/2020.  There is no application fee. I can also be contacted with any questions regarding the award and the selection process. The winner will be contacted directly by the Society, after Committee approval, and will also be announced on the RWS website end of February 2020.

The winner of the award will be expected to write an article about the experience for the Society’s November 2020 Newsletter, Wagner News, and if possible, attend a Society event to speak about the opportunity.

I look forward to your applications!