International Handel Singing Competition 2027
Thank you for your interest in the 2027 International Handel Singing Competition, one of the world’s leading competitions for baroque singers.
Alumni of the International Handel Singing Competition (HSC) have gone on to major success in their careers.
The competition consists of four stages: a preliminary digital round, a first live round at Handel Hendrix House in London, the Semi-Final at Grosvenor Chapel and the Final at Handel’s own church, St George’s, Hanover Square in Mayfair, central London. Both final rounds are open to the general public.
Competitors are required to submit all-Handel programmes at each stage. Further details about repertoire will be available at the time of application.
The competition offers three prizes, a 1st prize of £5,000, a 2nd prize of £2,000 and an Audience Prize of £200.
Here are some further details to help you with your application.
Preliminary Round
Preliminary Round submission deadline 16 January 2027
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). The performance can be accompanied by any keyboard instrument or ensemble.
Results of Preliminary Round selection 23 January 2027
First Round
15 & 16 February 2027
The First Round is held at Handel Hendrix House in London on the 15th and 16th February, and a maximum of 60 singers are selected to be heard live by a panel of 3 judges. (In circumstances where live performance isn't possible, video submissions will be accepted.
Requirements are exactly the same as if you were to perform live). Two arias by Handel (either sacred or secular), one with its preceding recitative 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 may 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
2 March 2027
The Semi-Final will be held in Grosvenor Chapel, London, on 2nd March, and up to 12 singers are invited to perform with a harpsichordist two contrasting Handel arias up to 15 minutes. This is a live, ticketed performance and open to the public as part of the London Handel Festival.
Gala Final
10 March 2027
The Final is held at St. George’s, Hanover Square, London on 10th March and is a key date in the diary for the London Handel Festival. A maximum of 5 singers are invited to return to perform an all-Handel programme with the Academy of Ancient Music and Steven Devine.
The number of contrasting items in the programme is not limited, but may last no longer than 18 minutes. 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.
Further Information
Deadlines
Preliminary round submission deadline: 15 January 2027 (23.59 GMT)
Results of Preliminary round : 25 January 2027
Adjudication
There will be 3 adjudicators for the First Round, four for the Semi Final and five for the Final. Past adjudicators have included Jane Glover, Iestyn Davies, Oliver Mears, Catherine Wyn Rogers, Rosemary Joshua, Lawrence Zazzo and John Mark Ainsley.
First Prize - £5,000
Second Prize - £2,000
Audience Prize - £500
Application and Pre-Selection
Please register your details and pay via the London Handel Festival website. There is a two-stage process to applying. Firstly, you must apply via the event, register and pay the £50 application fee.
Secondly, please fill in our application form and email this to competition@londonhandelfestival.org.uk along with a link to your video submission. You will be informed of the results of the pre-selection by no later than 25 January 2027 and to all those who are not successful, we guarantee that feedback will be provided in 2027.
Enter the 2027 Competition
Please download the application form below and fill this out sending your video recording to competition@londonhandelfestival.org.uk by the 15 January deadline.
Please also ensure you register your application and pay the application fee by clicking 'Book now' at the top of this page on the right-hand side.