Northern Ireland Opera are now accepting applications for the Vocal Competition and Peter Rankin Pianist Internship at the Glenarm Festival of Voice 2021, taking place from Thursday 26th August until Sunday 29th August 2021.

The closing date for all applications is 6 p.m. on Friday 21st May 2020, and the finalists and pianist will be announced in June. For more details, email Clíona Donnelly on [email protected] or please call the Northern Ireland Opera office on 028 9027 7734.

Five finalists will have the opportunity to work on their repertoire with opera professionals from Thursday 26th August and attend all festival events before performing in the Competition Finale on Sunday 29th August for the Deborah Voigt Opera Prize before a distinguished jury. The festival’s vocal competition is open to singers aged 18-28 born in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, and entrants are required to be studying voice at 3rd level or privately and pursuing a career in opera.

Singers should submit two arias, one Baroque or Classical, and one of their own choice which should be in two different languages (one of which may be English). They must also submit a song composed or arranged by an Irish composer of the 20th or 21st century. Please submit a recording of your singing/playing that has not been used for any other competition applications or that has not been uploaded onto a social media platform. Recordings must date from 12th April 2021 to 21st May 2021 to get an accurate idea of how you are currently singing.

CDs or MP3 files should be accompanied by a short CV and sent by email to Clíona Donnelly at [email protected], or by post to: Clíona Donnelly, General Manager, Northern Ireland Opera, Grand Opera House, Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7HR

Peter Rankin Pianist Internship

The pianist will have the opportunity to work with opera professionals, play for coaching sessions, and attend all festival events. Northern Ireland Opera welcomes applications from pianists aged 18-28 born in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, and entrants are required to be studying music at 3rd level or privately and pursuing a career in music. Interested applicants should send a CV and covering letter, stating how the opportunity would be valuable to them, to Clíona Donnelly at the details above.

To watch highlights and interviews from the competition finale from the Festival of Voice 2020 (which took place in Belfast due to COVID 19 restrictions) see attached link or visit our YouTube channel.