2026 International Handel Singing Competition

The final of the 2026 International Handel Singing Competition took place on Wednesday 11 March at St George's, Hanover Square. 

The final was presented by British Radio Broadcaster Petroc Trelawny and five singers were selected to perform a 20 minute all-Handel programme alongside the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment conducted by Steven Devine. 

This year's finalists were

Jane Burnell, soprano

Wenlan He, soprano

Nancy Holt, mezzo-soprano

Tim Morgan, countertenor

Michael Ronan, bass-baritone

The judges comprised of director Stephen Langridge, soprano Sophie Bevan, violinist Rachel Podger, conductor Jonathon Heyward, and artist manager Ben Rayfield — as well as the audience, who will help decide the Audience Prize.

The audience and second prize were awarded to soprano Jane Burnell, with the panel awarding first prize to bass-baritone, Michael Ronan. 

The London Handel Festival would like to congratulate all finalists, semi-finalists and those that performed in the preliminary round and applied. 

The International Singing Competition has been kindly supported by: The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust & Samir Savant, the Michael Ewart Memorial Fund.