DR HARUHISA HANDA

Chairman, International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC)

In 2014 we formally welcomed Dr Haruhisa Handa as Patron of the IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition, gratefully acknowledging his ongoing sponsorship and support both personally and as Chairman of the International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC).

Dr Handa is of course well-known to Australian lovers of opera through his generous support of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour (HOSH) .

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ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

We're proud to introduce an Artist Development Programme (ADP) which will provide further career and educational opportunities for the Finalists selected each year.

The ADP will be overseen by highly acclaimed coloratura Emma Matthews, who will design a programme tailored to the individual mentee’s needs.

Members of the operatic community are donating their services and the programme is aimed to assist the individual singer reach their career goals.

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2017 ADJUDICATORS

National Adjudicator
Catrin Johnsson

Catrin Johnsson was born in Sweden and trained at the Sköndal Institute (Organist Course) and Royal University College of Music in Stockholm (Solo Vocal Course) where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music.

She completed her formal training at the Royal Academy of Music in London (Performance and Opera Course) where she graduated with a Dip.RAM and LRAM.

She has furthered her vocal studies with Jacqueline Bremar and David Harper. Awards include the prestigious Christina Nilsson Award from the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm, Elena Gerhardt Lieder Prize, Flora Nielsen Prize, Michael Head Prize, Katie Thomas Prize, and the Minnie Hauk Prize.

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Heats

Auckland (NZ) Saturday 1  April
Stuart Maunder AM, Gina Sanders

London (UK) Monday 3 April
David Harper, Linnhe Robertson, Yvonne Kenny

Sydney (NSW) Monday 3 April, Tuesday 4 April
Barry Ryan, Taryn Fiebig

Melbourne (VIC) Wednesday 5 April
Suzanne Johnston, Andrea Katz 

Perth (WA) Friday 7 April
Thomas Johnson, Fiona McAndrew

Brisbane (QLD) Sunday 9 April
Jason Barry-Smtih, Natalie Peluso

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2017 COMPETITION

Art Form. Tradition. Future...
... beautiful music and glamour...

As the year begins we continue the tradition of excellence has defined the IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition for generations young opera singers.

For over three decades the IFAC Handa ASC has helped discover and deliver financial and career opportunities to some of our region's finest talent in opera and classical singing.

Many young entrants have gone on to develop successful careers both in Australia and internationally.

Join us to glimpse the future of the art form and prepare to experience some of the finest young operatic talents in the world.

2017 GALA FINALS CONCERT
with the Opera Australia Orchestra
under the baton of Nicholas Milton AM
Saturday 15 July, 7.00pm
Concert Hall
The Concourse Chatswood

2017 MASTERCLASS
Monday 5 June, 1.00pm
Independent Thearte
North Sydney

2017 SEMI-FINALS CONCERT 
Sunday 4 June, 4.30pm
Independent Theatre
North Sydney

INAUGURAL MAA RECIPIENT

Richard Bonynge AC CBE has been awarded the inaugural 2016 MAAward. Recognising career excellence and achievement MOST® (administrators of the IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition) has established the MAAWards.

This award program acknowledges the contributions of established industry professionals, and aims to recognise elite members of the classical music fraternity.

Nominated by a panel of industry peers, this year's MAA has been awarded to Richard Bonynge AC CBE.

Vivian Zeltzer

2016 was a special year for the Competition. Vivian Zeltzer will be retiring from her role as the Co-Ordinator for the IFAC HANDA ASC and Music & Opera Singers Trust Ltd at the end of August.

Vivian has been a central figure behind the scenes; and has seen the Competition grow from its beginnings to become perhaps the most respected competition of its kind in Australasia. Bravo, La Vivianna!