About the Competition
The composer George Frideric Handel was known to encourage and train young, unestablished singers, many of whom rose to fame as his star soloists. We continue Handel’s great tradition of nurturing talent through our International Handel Singing Competition, which is presented as part of the annual London Handel Festival
The competition was inaugurated in 2002, with Ian Partridge and James Bowman as the first adjudicators, and has grown to become a major international singing event, attracting 190 applicants from 32 countries all over the world in 2020.
The calibre of the competition is demonstrated by past winners and finalists who have gone on to become internationally recognised soloists, not just in the Baroque music field, and who give regular appearances in the world’s leading opera houses. They include Iestyn Davies, Lucy Crowe, Grace Davidson, Tim Mead, Christopher Ainslie, Rupert Charlesworth, Ruby Hughes, Helen Charlston, Hilary Cronin, Florian Störtz, Alexander Chance, William Frost and Lucija Varsic.
How the Competition Works
The competition comprises a preliminary round of reviewing files sent digitally, followed by the first “live” round at Craxton Studios in north London. This is followed by the Semi-Final with around 12 singers, accompanied by harpsichord, and then the Final, with 5 or 6 singers accompanied and conducted by a renowned Baroque orchestra.
Both the Semi-Final and Final are held at St George’s, Hanover Square in Mayfair, central London (Handel’s own church), and are open to the general public as part of the annual London Handel Festival. These events are well attended, including by many agents and promoters. All competitors are required to submit all-Handel programmes at each stage. Further details about repertoire will be available at the time of application.
Lasting Opportunities
As well as cash prizes and the chance to work with a professional Baroque orchestra, one of the key benefits of getting through to the Semi-Final and Final is the increased profile, through significant press and promoter interest, which leads to numerous engagements. This has been the vehicle through which many competitors have built their professional careers. All finalists are also offered recitals and roles in future London Handel Festivals.
