(Photos:James JSRB Foundation/Izy Photos )

James Young has won the top prize of the 15th annual Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award.

The bass-baritone from Melbourne, Victoria, who takes home $40,000, performed arias from “L’Elisir d’Amore,” “La Jolie Fille du Perth,” “The Marriage of Figaro,” and “Tannhäuser.”He also took home the $1,000 Audience Prize.

Per the jury, “James’ complete vocal command and understanding of all four of his arias was one of the finest we have seen in this competition since it began 15 years ago. His enigmatic stage presence ranged from powerfully dramatic to perfectly timed comedic bravura, a range usually associated with a far more experienced artist. James showed great control of his lush bass-baritone voice displaying subtle contrasts in colours and textures with excellent language skills. We certainly hope that opera companies reach out to this remarkable young artist, he is a polished performer ready to fly and would be an asset for any company. We wish him every success in his new position as a principal artist of the ensemble at the Theater Heidelberg.”

Young has performed with the Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden and is set to join the Theater Heidelberg ensemble in 2026.

Second place went to Flipe Manu, who also won the Best Mozart Aria Prize. Third place went to Catherine Hooper, who also won the Tait Memorial Award Prize. Joshua Morton-Galea placed fourth, while Jesse Linke was the fifth place winner. Amerlia Wawrzon was the sixth place winer and Jai-Peng Yeung was the recipient of the Encouragement Award.

Breanna Stuart won the first prize in the Sydney International Song Prize. Timothy o’Malley won the first prize for the Accompanist Award.

Read Related Stories

• Eliza Boom Wins 2024 Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award

• Review: Queen Sonja Singing Competition 2025

• International Vocal Competition Launches ‘Theatre in Song’ Segment This September