Welcome to The Dallas Opera Guild Biennial Lone Star Vocal Competition, reviving a proud Texas tradition for new generations of aspiring young opera singers!
Designed to alternate with The Dallas Opera Guild National Vocal Competition, the statewide version puts the emphasis on local opera artists who are just beginning their careers. Largely impacted by the pandemic and in need of our support more than ever, young artists will take the Dallas Opera stage to showcase their impressive talents in front of industry peers.
2024 Biennial Lone Star Vocal Competition
Witness dreams come true as vocal talents from across Texas converge on the Dallas Arts District for a chance to sing on the Winspear stage—and win cash prizes! Singers compete for the opportunity to dazzle our local judges and win the hearts of our opera-loving audiences, who vote for the “People’s Choice” winner at the end of the evening. This concert is brimming with exceptional talent and youthful energy, an intoxicating and inspiring experience for all!
Single tickets to this event go on sale July 22, 2024.
2023 Biennial Lone Star Vocal Competition
The Dallas Opera’s Biennial Lone Star Vocal Competition uniquely supports emerging Texas singers for their future success in opera. This statewide competition offers developing singers an opportunity to showcase their talents on the Winspear stage, a chance to be discovered, and win cash prizes. Attendees can get in on the action by voting for the “People’s Choice” winner!
Winners announced!
First Place: Adia Evans
Second Place: Sarah Neal
Third Place: Talin Nalbandian
Jonathan Pell People’s Choice Award (determined by audience vote): Bethany Jelinek
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED!
Janell Cherie
“Caro nome” from Rigoletto (Verdi)
Adia Evans
“I am Moses the Liberator” from Harriet Tubman (Okoye)
Mariah Graves
“Bewilderment” (Price)
Jacob Hanes
Charlie’s Aria from Three Decembers (Heggie)
Bethany Jelinek
“Come scoglio” from Così fan tutte (Mozart)
Chance Jonas-O’Toole
“O blonde Cérès” from Les Troyens (Berlioz)
Celeste Morales
“I want magic!” from A Streetcar Named Desire (Previn)
Talin Nalbandian
“Must the winter come so soon?” from Vanessa (Barber)
Sarah Neal
“Wie du warst” from Der Rosenkavalier (R. Strauss)
Jose Olivares
“Riez! Allez!” from Don Quichotte (Massenet)
Thank you to our semi-finalists: sopranos Sophia Formella, Rebecca Germany, Kristen Marie Gillis, and Lisl Wangermann; mezzo-sopranos Caroline Lee, Carlyle Quinn, and Riley Vagis; and tenor Eric Laine.
Winners were selected by a distinguished panel of judges, chaired by The Dallas Opera’s Artistic Consultant David Lomelí and including Ian Derrer, The Dallas Opera’s Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO; Donnie Ray Albert, renowned baritone and Senior Lecturer in Voice at the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin; Elizabeth Askren, conductor and Hart Institute Alumna and Faculty; and Kristian Roberts, The Dallas Opera’s Director of Education.
The evening was emceed by celebrated tenor David Portillo, past Vocal Competition winner and cast member of Dallas Opera’s upcoming production of Così fan tutte.