George London Foundation Announces 2020 Award Winners

By Logan Martell

On Feb. 21, 2020, the George London Foundation for Singers held this year’s Competition Finals, bestowing awards to a number of exceptional, rising performers.

After the artists’ performance and the judges’ deliberation, foundation president Nora London delivered a few words, saying: “I have known for three generations how difficult the career of an opera singer remains, and George London, my husband, wanted to help with these affairs. Now we have given awards for almost fifty years. I want to thank so many people who made this event possible tonight, such as our brilliant and always-encouraging judges, as well as our devoted pianist Lydia Brown.”

The afternoon’s finalists were selected from an audition process over the course of three days, with the final 15 singers receiving a total of $60,000 in awards. This year’s winners were announced by the foundation’s executive director, John Hauser. The prizes are as follows:

Encouragement Awards

Terrence Chin-Loy, tenor. Selection: “Che Gelida Manina” from Puccini’s “La Boheme.”

Cheyanne Coss, soprano. Selection: “Comme autrefois” from Bizet’s “Les Pecheur des Perles.”

Teresa Castillo, soprano. Selection: “Bell Song” from Delibes’ “Lakme.”

Ryan Johnson, tenor. Selection: “Lenksy’s Aria” from Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin.”

Tesia Kwarteng, mezzo-soprano. Selection: “Charlotte’s Letter Scene” from Massenet’s “Werther.”

Nicole Brooks, soprano. Selection: “Nun elit herbei” from Nicolai’s “Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor.”

Monica Dewey, soprano. Selection: “Caro nome” from Verdi’s “Rigoletto.”

Alisa Jordheim, soprano. Selection: “Air de feu” from Ravel’s “L’enfant et les sortileges.”

Danielle Beckvermit, soprano. Selection: “Ain’t It a Pretty Night” from Floyd’s “Susannah.”

Justin Austin, baritone. Selection: “Bella siccome un angelo” from Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale.”

George London Award Winners

Anne Maguire, mezzo-soprano. Selection: “Wo in Bergen du dich birgst.” From Wagner’s “Die Walkure.”

Jana McIntyre, soprano. Selection: “Care compagne” from Bellini’s “La Sonnambula.”

Lindsay Kate Brown, mezzo-soprano. Selection: “O mon Fernand” from Donizetti’s “La Favorite.”

Katherine Beck, mezzo-soprano. Selection: “Non piu mesta” from Rossini’s “La Cenerentola.”

Jessica Faselt, soprano. Selection: “Or sai chi l’onore” from Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.”

Since 1971, the George London Foundation for Singers has supported young artists in the formative stages of their careers, with distinguished of the past including Christine Brewer, Joyce DiDonato, Renee Fleming, Christine Goerke, Catherine Malfitano, Matthew Polenzani, James Morris, and more. As a result of their enduring support for the arts, the George London Award has garnered a reputation as one of the oldest and most prominent in North America. This year’s winners will no doubt go on to bear their gifts before audiences on stages worldwide.

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