Discover the Stars of Tomorrow—Today!
Opera Birmingham’s annual Vocal Competition is your chance to experience the thrill of opera’s rising stars before they take the world’s biggest stages. For more than 40 years, this prestigious event has drawn top emerging singers from across the country, offering them a platform to shine—and offering you an unforgettable concert. Cash prizes are awarded to the 5 Grand Finalists, plus, you have an opportunity to choose your favorite among them to win the Audience Favorite Prize.
Each finalist has been selected through a national audition process and will perform in two rounds of competition before a live audience and a panel of distinguished judges, including opera professionals, agents, and directors. Many past winners have gone on to major careers, and you’ll be able to say you saw them here first!
Three Ways to Experience the Competition:
Semi-Finals Concert : Enjoy the live experience of 18 singers challenging each other for a spot as one of the top 5 performers who will then be competing in the Grand Finals Concert for varying levels of prizes. Vote online to cheer on your favorite competitors as the Audience choice will automatically be placed as one of the top 5 Grand Finalists. This will prove to be in an inspiring and entertaining evening of opera’s best arias.
Grand Finals Concert: Enjoy the full performance of the 5 winners from Friday’s Semi-finals, while imbibing in a cash bar and discussing and voting for your audience favorite. Then feel the tension as the winners are announced.
Concert + Private Reception: Take your experience to the next level by joining us after the final concert performance for an exclusive reception. Mingle with the singers, pianists, and judges, enjoy refreshments, and be part of the excitement behind the scenes.
Whether you're a seasoned opera lover or new to the art form, this event promises to be one of the most exciting of the season. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the magic—and maybe even help discover opera’s next great voice!
When
Friday, February 26, 2027 | 4:30 P.M.
Sunday, February 28, 2027 | 4:00 P.M.
Tickets & Reservations
Semi-Finals: $15 per person/FREE for Students with valid ID
Grand Finals Concert : $45 per person/$15 students
Exclusive Concert and Reception: $170 per person (in addition to all of the above, includes two drink tickets, hearty hors d’oeuvres and a private reception with the singers, judges, and pianists.) !!! Limited Availability First come first serve!!!!
*All ticket purchases will include an additional $2.50 processing fee
Semi-Finals: $15 per person/Students with valid ID FREE
Hulsey Recital Hall Parking Information: UAB Lot 15D Alys Stephens Center after 5pm, on street, and UAB decks a short walk away.
Casual Attire.
Grand Finals Concert : $45 per person
Includes:
4:00 P.M. Vocal Competition Concert
Cash bar available for mingling post-concert
Announcement of winners
B&A Warehouse Parking Information: Valet Parking Provided. Also, free parking at the Innovation Depot Parking Lot: 1500 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203. Street parking available, and passenger drop-off available at door.
Afternoon Cocktail attire.
Concert & Reception:
Includes all above plus Private Awards Reception following concert
Singers interested in applying for the competition can find more information here.
2026 Vocal Competition Winners
(Click the on the individual for more information)
Alina Tamborini, Soprano
1st Prize Winner and
The Jerry and Sis Levin Prize Winner for Audience Favorite
Matthew Sink, Tenor
2nd Prize Winner
Laura Corina Sanders, Soprano
3rd Prize Winner
Will Kim, Baritone
4th Prize Winner
Jenna Clark, Mezzo-Soprano
5th Prize Winner
Jonathan Parks
Piano
John Robertson
Piano
Natalie Bergeron
1st Prize $3,500 The Martha Dick McClung Award given by Brent and Karyn Uptain -with- an invitation to return for a role in a future production
2nd Prize - $2,500 given by Michael J. & Mary Anne Freeman
3rd Prize - $2,000 given by Martha Pezrow
4th Prize - $1,500 given by Matthew and Emily Penfield
5th Prize - $1,000
The Jerry and Sis Levin Audience Favorite Award - $1,000 given by The Levin Family
Pianists Sponsor: Mary K. “Mimi” Jackson
Judges Sponsor: Martha Pezrow
Opera Birmingham is thrilled to announce the receipt of an endowed gift from the Levin Family in honor of the memory of their parents, Jerry and Sis Levin. Jerry and Sis were opera enthusiasts and were instrumental in founding the Vocal Competition in 1978. Jerry wanted Birmingham to become the site of an annual operatic competition that encouraged young singers at the start of their careers, and this tradition has been fulfilling that mission for over forty-five years!
To honor that legacy, beginning with the 2024 Vocal Competition, the Audience Favorite Award will be renamed “The Jerry and Sis Levin Prize.”
Everyone attending the concert will be able to hear each singer perform one aria of their choosing, and one aria that the judges choose for them. Guests will then mark their ballots for their personal favorite, and the tally will reveal the audience favorite!
Jerry & Sis Levin