George & Nora London Foundation Competition Announces Dates & Jury
By David SalazarThe George and Nora London Foundation Competition for American and Canadian opera singers has announced the major dates for its 54th edition in 2026.
The organization revealed that the public final round is schedule for Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at 4 p.m. at Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center in New York City. The finals will be live streamed on the foundation’s website and YouTube channel.
Following three days of semifinal rounds, 12 finalists from the U.S. and Canada will perform one selection each with pianist John Arida. Five singers will receive the George London Award of $12,000, while the remaining finalists will be awarded $2,000 Encouragement Awards. Winners will be announced immediately following the judges’ deliberations.
The 2026 judging panel includes soprano Harolyn Blackwell; mezzo-soprano Susan Quittmeyer; tenor Dimitri Pittas; bass James Morris; Matthew Horner, Senior Vice President of IMG Artists and a member of the London Foundation board; and soprano Gayletha Nichols, former Executive Director of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, who will serve as chair.
The Compettion was founded in 1971 and has awarded more than $2 million to over 300 singers. Past winners include Joyce DiDonato, Renée Fleming, Christine Goerke, Ryan Speedo Green, Catherine Malfitano, James Morris, Eric Owens, Matthew Polenzani, Sondra Radvanovsky, Neil Shicoff, Dawn Upshaw, and Willard White.
In addition to the Competition, the foundation will present a recital featuring two 2025 George London Award winners, soprano Shelén Hughes Camacho and baritone Joseph Parrish, on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at Merkin Hall. The program, performed with pianist Amir Farid, will focus on lesser-known arias, songs, and duets by established composers.
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