It was just announced that the 2023 Queen Sonja Singing Competition will take place in Oslo from August 15 – 26.

The international competition with previous prize-winners such as Lise Davidsen, Daniel Behle, Nadine Sierra, and Jacquelyn Wagner saw a record number of applicants this year. 40 singers out of the 521 applicants will participate in the preliminary rounds at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts.

The grand prize winner will receive career guidance and €50 000. The singers compete not only for the main prize but also to receive coaching, masterclasses, career development sessions, and international exposure. The jury consists of opera directors and casting supervisors from several of the world’s leading opera houses.

Results of the preliminary round will be announced on the evening of August 18, followed by the semi-final round on August 20, with a masterclass in stagecraft led by Stefan Herheim on the 22nd. The final concert will take place at the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet on August 26. The six finalists will perform select arias with the Norwegian National Opera Orchestra under the baton of J. Gaffigan.

For over 30 years, the bi-annual competition has advocated for aspiring singers and celebrated the “unique power of the human voice” by connecting audiences worldwide.