The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions has launched its 65th annual program.

According to a press release, young opera singers from across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and for the first time, Mexico, will compete for $15,000 cash prizes and the opportunity to launch major operatic careers. Over 1,000 singers between the ages of 20 and 30 will participate in the program, the longest-running singing competition in the country with finalists performing on the Met stage at the Grand Finals Concert on Sunday, March 31, 2019.

Aspiring singers who hope to progress in the 2019 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Winners must compete in four rounds of auditions. The first level of the competition will be held in 41 Districts throughout North America, including one district in Canada, one district in Puerto Rico, and one district in Mexico. Following that round, the winners of the Districts will advance to one of the 12 Regional Finals. The District and Regional auditions will take place from October through February. Approximately 20 – 25 regional first place winners receive a cash prize and will be sponsored to travel to New York in March for the National Council Auditions Semi-Finals on the Met stage. The 11 finalists will be showcased at the  National Grand Finals concert accompanied by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra conducted by Carlo Rizzi.

The National Council Auditions has launched the career of numerous singers including Renée Fleming, Susan Graham, Thomas Hampson, Ben Heppner, Jessye Norman, Susanna Phillips, Teresa Stratas, Frederica von Stade, and more recently Jamie Barton, Michael Fabiano, Angela Meade, and Nadine Sierra.