Thank you for your interest in the 2025 International Handel Singing Competition, one of the world’s leading competitions for Baroque singers.
Alumni of the competition have gone on to major success in their careers. Here are some further details to help you with your application.
INTRODUCTION
The International Handel Singing Competition is open to all singers aged between 23 – 34 on April 2nd 2025. It is a showcase for historically-informed performance of Handel’s music. In the Semi-Final and Final, all items must be performed without cuts. In all rounds, works must be performed in the original language and original key. Transpositions, including octave transpositions of voice parts will not be accepted. Items in the preliminary round may be performed at the Semi-Final or Final of the competition. Other than that, items sung in one round may not be repeated in later rounds.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
All candidates must supply a good quality video recording of them performing an aria by Handel. Ideally, this will include a recitative and should be at least 3 minutes long (including any da capo or dal segno) and no longer than 9 minutes. The performance can be accompanied by any keyboard instrument or ensemble.
HOW TO ENTER
Click here to visit the preliminary entry page and follow the instructions.
For full details including FAQs, click here to download the information sheet.
FIRST ROUND
The First Round is held at Craxton Studios in North London and a maximum of 90 singers are selected to be heard live by a panel of three judges. (Videos will be accepted however, we strongly recommend you perform live. Requirements for video submissions are exactly the same as if you were to perform live).
Competitors must perform two arias by Handel (either sacred or secular), one with its preceding recit and one with da capo or dal segno. One aria must be sung in English, the other in another language. These arias must be performed in the original key and original language. In the first round the maximum performance time limit is 9 minutes. Internal cuts within the aria are allowed in this round to accommodate time constraints.
You will be provided with a harpsichordist but you are able to bring your own if you prefer.
If you are chosen to sing in the First Round, you will need to submit your proposed arias for the Semi-Final and Final at this stage.
SEMI FINAL
Up to 12 singers are invited to perform, with harpsichord, two contrasting Handel arias of up to 15 minutes. This is a live performance and open to the public as part of the London Handel Festival.
FINAL
The Final is also held at St George’s, Hanover Square and is a key date in the diary for the London Handel Festival’s Spring Festival. A maximum of six singers are invited to return and perform an all-Handel programme with the Academy of Ancient Music, directed by Bojan Čičić. The number of contrasting items in the programme is not limited, but may last no longer than 18 minutes in total. The orchestra for the Final will consist of two oboes (doubling treble recorders), one bassoon, strings and harpsichord. Arias requiring additional or different instruments will not be accepted.
DEADLINES
Preliminary Round submission deadline 12pm, 15 January 2025
Results of Preliminary Round selection 29 January 2025
First Round 17 & 18 February 2025
Semi Final 4 March 2025
Final 2 April 2025
ADJUDICATORS
There will be three adjudicators for the preliminary round, three for the First Round, three for the Semi Final and five for the Final. Past adjudicators have included Jane Glover, Iestyn Davies, Sonia Prina, Oliver Mears, Anna Dennis, Catherine Wyn Rogers, Rosemary Joshua, and Lawrence Zazzo.
PRIZES
First Prize – £5,000
Second Prize – £2,000
Audience Prize – £300
APPLICATION AND PRESELECTION
There is a two-stage process to apply. Firstly, you must apply via the event, register and pay. Secondly, please fill in our application form.
You will be informed of the results of the pre-selection by no later than 30 January 2025. We provide feedback to all those who are not successful in reaching the First Round.
REASONS TO APPLY
Both the Semi Final and Final are open to the public as part of the annual London Handel Festival and are well attended, coveted events. Many agents and promoters attend these performances. Past finalists of the competition include Iestyn Davies, Ruby Hughes, Lucy Crowe, Tim Mead, Sophie Junker, Anna Starushkeyych, Grace Davidson, Alexander Chance and Hilary Cronin, Fflur Wyn, Anna Devin and Christopher Lowrey.
“The Handel Singing Competition was, for me, the perfect platform from which I was able to demonstrate what I thought I could do. I’m not a fan of competition in singing but this competition allows you to focus on the repertoire choices and stylistic decisions you make, first and foremost. For me, it was absolutely the turning point. I secured an agent from my performance which opened a new chapter in my singing career. It really was the taking part that counted; I didn’t win!” – Iestyn Davies MBE, 2004 runner-up
“It came as a big surprise to win the first prize and audience prize all those years ago. Singing in the HSC was a super opportunity to focus on one glorious composer and his unique style, exploring his heavily musical output. I learned so much about Baroque style and vocal technique and it gave me a solid foundation from which to build later repertoire.” Ruby Hughes, 2009 winner.
“After a few years as a postgraduate student, winning the HSC was, for me, a great platform that opened many doors as a professional singer. It also meant to me great recognition and projection here and abroad.” Joseph-Ramon Olivé, 2015 winner
“Competitions are a real asset to young singers, and act as a wonderful seal of approval as we continue to apply for the next project or audition. It is wonderful to have the recognition of such a well-known festival to recommend me further as a performer in the world of singing.” Helen Charlston 2018 winner.