Please read the following rules carefully! All information must be provided. Any omission will render this application ineligible.
- Former Gerda Lissner Foundation, Top, 1st and 2nd prize winners cannot re-apply.
- Applicants must be between 21 and 32 years of age, NO OLDER than 32 by the first day of competition to be eligible for the competition.
- Please submit typed applications; handwritten applications will not be accepted.
- Applicants are encouraged to submit standard arias from the 18th to the 20th centuries unless bringing your own pianist to the audition.
- One of your arias may be from Operetta or Zarzuela.
- Oratorio excerpts, Cantatas and Concert Arias are not eligible.
- Cut versions up to 5 minutes in length of longer arias are acceptable. If your opening arias is longer than 5 minutes, you may be stopped by the Judges.
- Repertoire once submitted on your application form cannot be changed.
- Auditioners must be available in person to The Gerda Lissner Foundation
- On your assigned audition dates, both preliminaries and finals are from 10:15 am to 5:00 pm.
- At Winners Concert to receive your award, Wednesday April 30, 6:30 PM at Zankel Hall Carnegie Hall
- Top award winners who will be presented in concert MUST be within 20 miles of Zankel Hall the night before the concert.
Failure to comply with the performance requirements of the award is considered a material noncompliance with the terms of the award. Noncompliance may result in the withholding of payments associated with the award, termination of the current award, and/or withholding of any future award. Unless the recipient receives written consent from the Foundation permitting an absence, any failure to perform, failure to comply with the performance or attendance requirements of the award, or any unexcused absence may constitute an unsatisfactory performance of the award and preclude participation in any future award competitions. - A collaborative pianist will be provided at no cost. If you prefer, you may bring your own pianist. Please bring paper copies of your music in a binder for the pianist. No Ipads or other electronic formats accepted. Arlene Shrut
- The Gerda Lissner Foundation is not responsible for blocked or undelivered e-mails.
- There is no fee to enter the competition. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Early submissions are encouraged; the total number of participants in the competition is limited.
- Submission of the application does not guarantee an audition or grant.
- Eligible participants ONLY will be advised of the date and time for the audition by e-mail. (if you are not notified of an audition date by February 14, 2025, you are not accepted to participate in this year’s competition).
Required Materials:
All applicants must submit the following materials by attaching them to the online application in order to be considered for the competition: Late, ineligible, and incomplete applications will not be reviewed!
- Resume (UPDATED and single-page)
- A sample of recent opera and concert reviews if available
- Recent Color Headshot (JPEG; 1-3 MB file size, NO HEIC FILE)
- A copy of passport, driver’s license or birth certificate (NO HEIC FILE)
- ONE current signed letter of recommendation attached.
You may download a copy of the rules in PDF format here.