Sydney, Australia 8-13 September, 2014 presented by Elizabeth as Norma in 2004. Photo by Jeff Busby, courtesy of West Australian Opera
Inaugural TRUSTEES FOR THE ELIZABETH CONNELL SCHOLARSHIP ADMINISTRATORS FOR THE ELIZABETH CONNELL PRIZE Fiona Janes Annamaria Kinnon OAM Andrew Sinclair David Syrus JUDGES Sydney Richard Bonynge AC CBE Bernadette Cullen Fiona Janes Moffatt Oxenbould AM John Pringle AM (Round 2 only) Marilyn Richardson London Dame Anne Evans DBE Fiona Janes Dennis O Neill CBE New York Jane Eaglen Fiona Janes James Morris ACCOMPANISTS Sydney Round 2 Tahu Matheson Final David Harper London Round 2 David Syrus New York Round 2 Marijo Newman FOUNDATION PATRONS, DIRECTORS, ARTISTIC ADVISORS Patron Her Excellency, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales Life Patron Richard Bonynge AC CBE Honorary Patrons The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH, Dame Norma Major DBE, Lady Valerie Solti, Lady Potter AC, Adam Bonynge, Marilyn Horne, Alan Jones AO Board of Directors Richard Bonynge AC CBE, Lady Potter AC, Alan Jones AO, Cyrus Meher-Homji, Fiona Janes, Duncan Kinnon Artistic Advisory Board Bernadette Cullen, Malcolm Donnelly AM, Yvonne Kenny AM, Sharolyn Kimmorley AM, Keith Lewis CNZM, Dennis O Neill CBE, John Pringle AM Life Patrons of the Elizabeth Rose Edkins, Paul, Peter, John ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Metropolitan Opera POSTAL/EMAIL ADDRESS FOR APPLICATIONS Elizabeth P.O. Box 2692 Bowral N.S.W. 2576 Australia Bank Details: Bank: Australian and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) Address: Shop 5, Market Place, Cnr Marion St & Flood St Leichhardt NSW 2040 Australia Acc Name: Elizabeth Scholarship Acct No: 287 417 056 BSB: 012 205 Swift Bic: ANZBAU3M Tel/Fax: +61 2 4861 2440 +61 2 9817 4919 Mobile: +61 (0) 40 202 4118 Email: econnellprize@jsrbfoundation.com Website: www.jsrbfoundation.com The trust established by the late Elizabeth ("the Charity") is registered as a charity in the United Kingdom (RCN 1150289) known as "The Elizabeth Scholarship" and is administered by the trustees of the Charity ("the Trustees") who acknowledge the assistance of the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation in the organisation of the.
BACKGROUND The late, internationally acclaimed South African dramatic soprano, Elizabeth, has bequeathed under her Will, an extremely generous gift to create a charitable trust to administer and fund an international operatic singing prize in her memory. Having performed all the major dramatic soprano repertoire throughout her illustrious career, Elizabeth was fully aware of how difficult it is to establish an opera career as a dramatic soprano. Therefore, at her request, the inaugural Elizabeth is open to all aspiring dramatic sopranos of all nationalities aged 25-34 as of 30 April, 2014. OFFICIAL 2014 DATES Closing date for entries 30 APRIL, 2014 ROUND 1 - DVD/Mp4 video selection process ROUND 2 - Semi Final Live Auditions May, 2014 in Australia Sydney, Australia Date: 21 June, 2014 Venue: Opera Centre, Opera Australia, Surry Hills, Sydney London, U.K. Date: 4-5 July, 2014 Venue: Chorus Rm, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, London New York, U.S.A. Date: 8-9 July, 2014 Venue: List Hall, The Metropolitan Opera, New York Sydney Final Dates Monday, 8 September, 2014 - Sunday 14 September, 2014 Arrival in Sydney for overseas entrants Monday, 8 September, 2014 Arrival in Sydney for Australian/NZ entrants Tuesday, 9 September, 2014 Official Welcome Tuesday, 9 September, 2014 Rehearsal with Pianist ROUND 3 - Private Judging Final Pianist Rehearsal or Free day ROUND 4 - Public Finals Concert Wednesday, 10 September, 2014 - Opera Centre, Opera Australia Thursday, 11 September, 2014 at 4.00pm Independent Theatre, Miller Street, North Sydney Friday, 12 September, 2014 - Opera Centre, Opera Australia Saturday, 13 September, 2014 at 4.00pm Verbrugghen Hall of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sydney TOTAL PRIZES FOR 2014 IN AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS (AUD) $33,000 THE ELIZABETH CONNELL PRIZE: $20,000 Cash Scholarship Plus an audition at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, U.K. Wagner Society of N.S.W. : $5,000 Donated by the Wagner Society of N.S.W. Finalist s: $2,000 For each of the remaining three finalists - total $6,000 Universal Music : $2,000 Worth of CDs & DVDs for one finalist - donated by Universal Music Australia NOTE: Additional Funding for Finalists: The Charity will pay travel and accommodation expenses up to a total of AUD$2,000 for each Finalist to enable them to attend the final two (2) rounds in Sydney. Official receipts must be provided as proof of travel and accommodation expenses incurred.
THE COMPETITION ROUNDS First Round: DVD/Mp4 Application Entrants will be required to send a DVD or Mp4 video of themselves performing at least two (2) arias and a completed Application Form. Semi Finalists will be chosen and then judged in live audition rounds in Sydney, New York and London. Second Round: Semi Finalist Live Audition in Sydney, New York and London Successful Semi Finalists will be heard in a live audition by a panel of judges in the city of their choice. From this round up to five (5) entrants will be chosen and invited to compete in the Final in Sydney. Third Round: Finalists Private Audition in Sydney All Finalists will be required to perform three (3) items with piano in a private judging session to be held in Sydney. Fourth Round: Public Finals Concert in Sydney All Finalists will be required to perform two (2) items with piano in a public Final in front of a live audience in conjunction with the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Final. Both Finals will be held in the same event. BASIC ENTRY DETAILS The Elizabeth is open to all professional and non-professional soprano opera singers of all nationalities aged 25-34 as of 30 April, 2014. Entrants must apply by completing the official application form with all necessary components to take part in the Elizabeth. The competition will be judged over 4 Rounds. Successful entrants must compete in all four rounds. Up to five (5) sopranos will be chosen through a process of elimination rounds to compete in a Public Finals Concert for the Elizabeth. The Finals Concert for the inaugural Elizabeth will take place in Sydney, Australia on 13 September, 2014 in the Verbrugghen Hall of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in conjunction with the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award. All stages of the competition will be accompanied by piano. The official accompanist for the Final in 2014 will be David Harper. It is essential that all entrants read the Rules & Regulations attached before entering the competition and agree to abide by them. An entry fee of AUD$90 per application is to be paid by bank transfer. Entry fees are non-refundable. No late or incomplete entries will be accepted after the official closing date. Bank Deposit Entry Fee Details: Bank: Australian and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) Address: Shop 5, Market Place, Cnr Marion St & Flood St Leichhardt NSW 2040 AUSTRALIA Acc Name: Elizabeth Scholarship Acct No: 287 417 056 BSB: 012 205 Swift Bic: ANZBAU3M NOTE: Please ensure you state your name on your deposit and keep a receipt as proof of your deposit. Bank transfer fees must be paid for by the entrants. DVDs and Applications should be sent to: The Elizabeth P.O. Box 2692 Bowral N.S.W. 2576 AUSTRALIA or Email: econnellprize@jsrbfoundation.com Application forms, jpegs, docs and Mp4 videos may be emailed to: econnellprize@jsrbfoundation.com For all enquiries see the website at: www.jsrbfoundation.com/elizabethconnellprize or email the above address.
WHO WAS ELIZABETH CONNELL? Elizabeth was a South African born Dramatic Soprano with Irish heritage who was renowned for her interpretation of the great Wagner, Verdi and Strauss operatic repertoire. She began her career as a mezzo soprano making her debut at the Wexford Opera Festival in 1972 followed by the opening of the Sydney Opera House in 1973 in Prokofiev s War & Peace. She went on to perform in most of the world s leading opera houses and with many of the great conductors until her untimely death in 2012. Her vast repertoire included: Fiordiligi, Elettra, Norma, Ortrud, Sieglinde, Brunnhilde, Elizabeth in Tannhauser, Kundry, Senta, Isolde, Lady Macbeth, Aida, Amneris, Amelia, Amalia, Eboli, Odabella, Elisabetta, Leonora in Il trovatore, Abigaille, Jenufa, Kostelnicka, Elektra, Chrysothemis, Ariadne, Farberin, Turandot, Leonore in Fidelio, Santuzza, Medee and Iphigenie. She made numerous recordings and was a consummate concert artist and recitalist. She had a long operatic association with Australia and had planned to retire to Sydney in 2012. She was a compassionate, generous, strong and giving colleague with a marvellous sense of humour. Her ability to captivate an audience was compelling, her voice, mighty. This competition is a part of her legacy to the opera world. RULES AND REGULATIONS For a contestant to be eligible to compete in this competition, she must comply with all the Rules and Regulations. Please read the following pages very carefully before completing the official application form. Entrants will receive an official email to acknowledge receipt of their entry forms. ELIGIBILITY & WHAT CONSTITUTES AN ASPIRING DRAMATIC SOPRANO 1. The Award is to benefit and encourage young sopranos with dramatic possibilities who either already perform the spinto/dramatic repertoire or who show the potential to perform this repertoire in the future. 2. Entrants must be aged 25-34 years old as of 30 APRIL, 2014. 3. The competition is open to all professional and non-professional sopranos of all nationalities, resident anywhere in the world. 4. Semi Finalists must be available to perform on the relevant day, time and place in their nominated city in Round 2. 5. Finalists must compete in both Round 3 (the private adjudication) and Round 4 (the public Final) in Sydney. REPERTOIRE 1. Elizabeth combined singing Rossini, Mozart, Donizetti and Bellini, as well as numerous other composers, with the heavier Strauss, Verdi and Wagner roles throughout much of her long international career. 2. The Trustees and organisers DO NOT wish to encourage an entrant to present repertoire which may be unsuitable for her current level of development. 3. Therefore, certain spinto/dramatic soprano repertoire, that requires age and considerable experience, is not encouraged for this particular age group unless the entrant shows considerable maturity of voice and technique. 4. The Trustees and organisers believe it is possible to show dramatic potential by performing a wide range of soprano repertoire, not necessarily items from the spinto/dramatic repertoire. The heavier lyric soprano repertoire is also most welcome. 5. In Round 1 (DVD/Mp4 file), entrants must offer two (2) contrasting arias. One of these arias must be by Richard Strauss, Verdi or Wagner. These two items do not have to be reflected in your five chosen repertoire pieces for the Live Rounds. 6. For Rounds 2-4, each entrant must offer four (4) contrasting operatic arias and one (1) orchestral song. At least two (2) of the items must be by Wagner and Verdi - one of which can be the orchestral song. 7. All pieces must be sung in the original language, the original key and from memory. 8. Repertoire should be chosen carefully, be appropriate to the singer's level of accomplishment and should show that the entrant has dramatic possibilities. 9. Changes may be made to chosen repertoire on the application form, but must be notified to the organisers by email at least 21 days prior to the commencement of Round 2.
COMPETITION STAGES AND SELECTION PROCESS IN DETAIL ROUND 1 - DVD/MP4 VIDEO AND APPLICATION PROCESS 1. Entry Form and Fee - Each entrant must complete all aspects of the application process and pay the AUD$90 entrance fee. 2. DVD/Mp4 video files - Each entrant must submit (2) copies of a DVD showing the entrant performing at least two contrasting arias, which are not required to be the same as the repertoire offered on the application form but should include one aria by Wagner, Verdi or Richard Strauss. DVDs/Mp4s must show the entrant s face clearly and be a good to high quality recording. Recordings may be in a studio or of a concert with piano or orchestra but NOT from a fully staged opera performance. Video recordings must not be edited. Please ensure all DVDs/Mp4s are clearly marked with your name and nationality. The recording must be current within the last 12 months and playable on Australian DVD players (region 4), Apple Mac and PC computers. DVDs will not be returned. NO CDs or audio files will be acceptable. 3. Biography - Each entrant must provide a current CV, biography or resume - 1 x A4 page maximum. 4. Study Plan - Each entrant must provide a detailed study plan outlining her intended use of the award funds should she be the winner - 1 x A4 page maximum. 5. Photo - Each entrant must provide a clearly labelled publicity photograph no smaller than 9cm x 12cm. (Jpegs are preferable.) Originals will not be returned 6. Proof of age - a copy of your current valid passport. 7. Each entrant will be judged and scored by a panel of experts in Australia. This panel will select the Semi Finalists who will be required to perform in the Round 2 live Semi Finals in Sydney, London and New York. 8. Successful entrants will be notified by email in early May, with the names also listed on the website. ROUND 2 - LIVE SEMI FINAL AUDITIONS IN SYDNEY, LONDON, NEW YORK 1. A panel of three (3) judges will take part in this round in each city. 2. These rounds will be held in Sydney, New York and London in 2014. 3. Each entrant will be given a time and place to perform in their chosen location. 4. It will be up to the entrant to provide her own travel and accommodation costs for this round. 5. The entrant may bring her own accompanist or may use the accompanist provided for a small fee. See accompanist section. 6. Each entrant will be asked to sing a minimum of two pieces. The entrant may choose the first piece, the judging panel the second. The judges may choose to hear all or part of any additional pieces. 7. Each entrant may also be briefly interviewed by the judging panel to discuss her proposed study plan. 8. After all entrants have been heard in Round 2, up to five (5) Finalists will be chosen and notified by email, within 14 days of the last Semi Final, as to whether they have been selected for the final two (2) rounds in Sydney. 9. The Finalists names will be posted on the website once all have been notified and confirmed. 10. The judges may choose one (1) or two (2) Reserve Finalists. If so, these Reserve Finalists will also be notified. 11. If an entrant is chosen for the Final in Sydney but is unable to attend, she forfeits her right to any of the prize money and a Reserve Finalist may be chosen to take her place. ROUND 3 - PRIVATE FINAL JUDGING - TRAVEL TO SYDNEY 1. Up to five (5) Finalists will be chosen to perform all five items over a two day period in front of five (5) judges. 2. The day prior to this round will be set aside as a rehearsal day with the official accompanist. 3. Three (3) items will be performed in private to the judging panel. 4. The remaining two (2) items will be heard in the Public Final. 5. The cost for rehearsals will be met by the organisers. ROUND 4 - THE PUBLIC FINALS CONCERT 1. The day prior to the Final will be set aside as a rehearsal day with the official accompanist should you wish to rehearse your final two items. 2. Each Finalist will perform two items from her chosen repertoire with piano at the public Final. 3. The judges will base their decision on the Finalists performances at the public Final and the Finalists performances in the private round as well their intended study plans.
JUDGING CRITERIA Voice Quality Dramatic Potential - Musicality Artistry - Current Standard of Technique Language Accuracy - Suitability to Selected Arias - Study Plan Presentation Communication 1. The decision of all the judges is final. 2. No correspondence will be entered into with the judges, the Trustees of the Elizabeth Charity, the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation or with any third party regarding any decisions made by any of the judges throughout the competition. ACCOMPANIST INFORMATION 1. In Round 2, entrants may bring their own accompanist at their own expense. However the organisers will arrange for an accompanist to be available on the day should one be required. 2. The cost to the entrants will be $25 per person in Sydney and New York and 15 in London. 3. Entrants should state their accompanist's name for Round 2 on the application form if possible or, as soon as possible. 4. Entrants should tick the appropriate box on the form if they wish to use the accompanist provided on the day. 5. The official accompanist provided for Round 3 and Round 4 will be David Harper. 6. At least two (2) copies of all music to be performed must be provided in Round 2, one for the judging panel and one for 7. the accompanist. 8. At least two (2) copies of all music to be performed must be provided by each finalist for Round 3 and 4. One for the judging panel and one for the official accompanist. 9. These must be clear legible copies or originals and no loose-leaf material or plastic sleeves TRAVEL TO SYDNEY & ACCOMMODATION 1. Entrants are responsible for organising their own travel to and accommodation in Australia, and must confirm with the organisers their arrival and travel details by 8 August, 2014. 2. A copy of each entrant s flight itinerary must be provided. 3. Each Finalist will be reimbursed up to AUD$2,000 to help cover travel and accommodation costs if receipts are provided. 4. Every effort will be made by the organisers to assist entrants regarding accommodation in Sydney. 5. In the event the organisers are able to arrange for Finalists to be billeted or able to provide accommodation, entrants will be notified immediately. However the organisers cannot guarantee at the time the applications are open this will be possible. 6. It is highly recommended that Finalists coming long distances arrive in Sydney the Monday prior to the Public Final to overcome jetlag, which can be considerable for some. 7. It is the responsibility of entrants to seek advice, acquire and pay for any Visa for entry into Australia. 8. In the case where a Finalist fails to apply for the necessary Visa to compete in the Final, the Finalist will not be reimbursed for out of pocket travel and accommodation expenses and will not be eligible for any prize money if unable to compete. 9. It is highly advisable that all entrants purchase medical insurance for their intended length of stay in Australia. 10. The organisers or trustees will not be liable to cover any medical expenses incurred during an entrant s travel to or from or stay in Australia. These costs are the responsibility of the individual entrant. 11. Finalists will not be reimbursed for travel and accommodation costs if they arrive in Australia and then decide not to compete in the final two (2) rounds. 12. If an entrant is legitimately unable to perform in Rounds 3 and 4 owing to illness or accident, the organisers will reimburse the entrant, provided a medical certificate is produced. 13. Reimbursement costs will be deposited into the Finalists bank accounts or the equivalent given in Australian dollars at the conclusion of the competition. 14. The organisers are not responsible for any personal additional costs the entrant may incur whilst in Australia.
GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS 1. It is highly recommended that all entrants make personal copies of their application form. 2. We accept doc, pdf, jpeg, gif, tif, png or reasonably sized mp4 files via the internet. 3. Each entrant must specify on her application form the city in which, if successful, she wishes to audition for the Round 2 Semi Final. 4. Successful entrants will be allocated a specific time to perform and will be notified well in advance of the Semi Final. 5. Requests for a specific date or time to perform in Round 2 should be made on the application form. The organisers will endeavour to comply with such requests but this cannot be guaranteed. 6. The Finals Concert (Round 4) will be open to the paying public and may be broadcast and/or recorded for archival purposes. 7. The judges/organisers/trustees reserve the right not to award all of the prizes. 8. The organisers reserve the right to withdraw or retract any funds or prizes at their discretion should the recipient not fulfil her intended course of study, or if a winner is unable to use prize money or prizes for their intended purpose. 9. No prize or prize money is transferable or shall be used other than for its intended purpose save as agreed by the judges and/or the Trustees. 10. money is in Australian Dollars and will be paid by telegraphic bank transfer into the appropriate recipient s account. 11. The $20,000 first prize money will be paid in instalments when the winner submits a comprehensive costing for her intended use of the funds to be approved by the organisers and Trustees. 12. If the winner wishes to change her study plan, she must notify the organisers immediately. Any changed study plans must be submitted to the organisers for approval. 13. The Elizabeth winner must keep the organisers informed of her progress throughout her period of study and submit a final report. 14. An appropriate audition time at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden will be organised for the winner. 15. The organisers reserve the right to photograph, audio record, video tape or broadcast all or any part of each round for archival and/or promotional purposes. These rights remain the property of the Charity. 16. The winner shall, if requested by the Trustees of the Charity, provide at least one public performance or lesson at schools or colleges free of remuneration to further the charitable objects of the Charity, and shall provide reasonable assistance at fund-raising events when and where possible if called upon to do so. 17. Entrants must make themselves available for any publicity or media calls. 18. The winner and finalists are requested, where possible, to acknowledge The Elizabeth in any personal biographical material. 19. All winners of sponsored prizes MUST write a Thank You Letter to the appropriate sponsor. The organisers can provide contact details for sponsors. 20. The organisers may disqualify any entrant who provides false, misleading or inaccurate information or who breaches the rules and regulations of the. 21. By signing the attached application form, entrants are bound by the terms, rules and regulations governing this competition. FAQs Question: Can Australian and New Zealand sopranos enter the Elizabeth and Bel Canto Award in the same year? Answer: Yes. However entrants will be required to compete in all levels of each competition. Should a singer reach the Final of both competitions they will be expected to perform four (4) arias at the Public Final. Question: Can previous winners of the Bel Canto Award enter the Elizabeth? Answer: Yes
PERSONAL DETAILS 2014 Elizabeth Application Form Closing date for entries: 30 April 2014 Please read all the information in the Rules and Regulations and then complete neatly in ink or type: First Name Last Name/s Date of Birth Nationality Place of Birth Telephone Mobile - incl. Country Cd Age at 30 April 2014 Address City Postcode/Zipcode Email Country Other Information CHOSEN REPERTOIRE 4 arias and 1 orchestral song must be stated below, including the opera or work they are from and composer. One item must be by Wagner and one item by Verdi - one of which can be your orchestral song. Piece Repertoire List and the Opera or Work. Time In Minutes Composer 1. Aria Opera 2. Aria Opera 3. Aria Opera 4. Aria Opera 5. Song Work NOTE: Should I be selected to perform in Round 2, I would like to be judged in the following city. (please tick the relevant box) SYDNEY LONDON NEW YORK (21 June) (4-5 July) (8-9 July) I will bring my own accompanist for Round 2. I will require the use of an official accompanist for Round 2. Accompanist s Name: (if known)
DECLARATION - to be included with your application form The following items have been posted or emailed with my application. (Tick boxes to confirm each item has been done.) Two (2) clearly labelled DVDs, or emailed Mp4 video containing my performance of two arias, including at least one piece by Wagner, Verdi or Richard Strauss. Detailed CV/biography outlining my musical/vocal training, performance experience, language training and any other information regarding my career or vocal training to date, (1 x A4 page maximum). Detailed study plan outlining any voice teachers, vocal coaches I intend to work with and/or courses, institutions I wish to attend plus any arrangements I may have already made and budget information, (1 x A4 page maximum). Proof of Age, (copy of my current valid passport). A clear publicity photograph (min 9cm x 12cm) or an emailed jpeg clearly labelled with my name. My Entry Fee of AUD$90 has been transferred into the designated account of the Elizabeth Charity as stated in the Rules and Regulations. I,... declare; (print full name) the information I have provided to be accurate and truthful; I have read and agree to abide by all the Rules and Regulations governing this application as set down by the Elizabeth Charity; should I win any prize, I agree to perform in at least one fund raising concert or give one educational performance or lesson for the Charity without remuneration when and where possible if so called upon to do so. I also agree to provide the organisers with updates as to my progress and to acknowledge the Elizabeth in all biographical material when possible. Signed:... Date:... EC