Congratulations Hannah Burton,
the winner of the 2026 Marianne Mathy Scholarship.
Hannah received:
MARIANNE MATHY SCHOLARSHIP ('THE MATHY') AUD$30,000 to assist with a programme of study
and/or singing activity.
Audition Prize from Lyric Opera of Chicago's Ryan Opera Center An opportunity to audition for Lyric Opera of Chicago’s
professional-artist development program, The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center.
Lili Ussher Portrait Prize
A portrait painting.
Simon Fieldhouse Sculpture Prize
A 3D sculpture.
WinkiPoP Media Prize
A folio of three different 8x12 inch
photographic prints.
Oral History Award
A taped interview by oral historian Diana Ritch that will be retained within the Oral History Collection of the
National Library of Australia.
The Mathy Statuette
A limited-edition Drago Marin Cherina statuette
presented by Music & Opera Singers Trust Ltd (MOST®)
Hannah also won the:
Zeny Edwards Educational Grant
AUD $20,000 grant towards tuition fees for a music degree at a University or Conservatorium. Sponsored by Dr. Zeny Edwards OAM
ABC Classic Studio Recording Prize
The opportunity to record a studio project at the ABC, guided by the ABC Classical specialist music production team. Sponsored by ABC Classic.
The MOST® Audience Prize A cash grant of AUD $500 from Music & Opera Singers Trust Ltd awarded by audience vote. Sponsored by Euroespresso.
Hannah performed Crudele!...Non mi dir from Mozart's "Don Giovanni" and O Dieu... Ah! Je ris de me voir from Gonoud's "Faust"
Congratulations to all the Finalists
The Adjudication Panel comprising of National Adjudicator Donna Balson, Dr. Anke Hoeppner-Ryan, Dr. Francis Greep, Jennifer Black and Glenn Winslade also awarded the following prizes and opportunities:
EMILY DAVIS
- The Haas German Mentorship Award
Mentoring and sessions with distinguished international performer and pedagogue, Prof. Dr. Caitlin Hulcup. Sponsored by Prof. Dr. Caitlin Hulcup. - The Haas Award AUD $2,500 to assist with travel expenses for the Haas German Mentorship Award. Sponsored by the Haas Family Trust.
- The Elizabeth Todd Memorial Prize
AUD $1000 cash grant as a special encouragement to a soprano or mezzo singer. Sponsored by the Zonta Club of Sydney.
LEYLAND JONES
- Canadian Vocal Arts Institute (CVAI) Montreal Scholarship
An opportunity to participate in the Canadian Vocal Arts Institute (CVAI) Summer Program in Montreal. Sponsored by CVAI, Montreal. - CVAI Travel Grant AUD $4,000 to assist with travel expenses associated with the CVAI Montreal Scholarship. Sponsored by an Anonymous Benefactor.
- The Linnhe Robertson
Prize
10 one-hour private lessons with acclaimed voice teacher Linnhe Robertson in London, England. Sponsored by Linnhe Robertson. - Nell Pascall Award
AUD $3,000 to assist with travel expenses. Sponsored by the Nell Pascall Estate.
SKY KIM
- Royal Northern College of Music Award
Fees for one year’s study at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma Course in Manchester (UK) in 2027/28.
Sponsored by Royal Northern College of Music, UK. Pasqualina Lipari Prize
AUD $2,500 to assist with travel expenses associated with the Royal Northern College of Music Award. Sponsored by V&A Accountants and Business Advisors.
AYLISH RYAN
- Perth Symphony Orchestra Prize
An engagement to perform with the Perth Symphony Orchestra.
Sponsored by the Perth Symphony Orchestra. - PSO Travel Grant
AUD $3,000 to assist with travel expenses. Sponsored by an Anonymous Benefactor. - 2MBS Fine Music Sydney Promotional Prize
AUD $1,000 promotional credit with 2MBS Fine Music Sydney.
Sponsored by 2MBS Fine Music Sydney. - Merenda Legacy Prize
AUD $7,000 to enable the recipient to study Italian in Italy.
Sponsored by Equity Trustees
Each Finalist received two bottles of Huntington Estate Wine, in addition to the:
Opera Australia Finalist Audition Prize
All finalists will advance straight to the final round of auditions for the Opera Australia Young Artist Program starting in 2027. Sponsored by Principal Patron Maureen Wheeler and Opera Australia.
Opera Australia Prize
The opportunity for all Finalists to attend rehearsals in Melbourne or Sydney, observing an opera throughout the rehearsal period. Sponsored by Opera Australia.
Coming Soon to YouTube
(L to R) Aylish Ryan, Sky Kim, Hannah Burton, Emily Davis, and Leyland Jones.
Prof. Dr. Nicholas Milton AM and the Opera Australia Orchestra accompanied the Finalists with thrilling performances of:
Berlioz's L’île inconnue (Les nuits d’été)
Donizetti's Quel guardo il cavaliere... So anch’io la virtù magica (Don Pasquale)
Mozart's Crudele!...Non mi dir (Don Giovanni)
Verdi's A te l’estremo addio... Il lacerato spirito (Simon Boccanegra)
Mozart's Temerari... Come scoglio (Così fan Tutte)
Gounod's O Dieu... Ah! Je ris de me voir (Faust)
Gounod's Depuis hier... Que fais-tu, blanche tourterelle? (Roméo et Juliette)
Mozart's O zittre nicht, mein lieber Sohn! (Die Zauberflöte)
Ravel's Kaddish (Deux mélodies hébraïques)
Handel's Thus saith the Lord of Hosts… But who may abide the day of His coming? (Messiah)
Prof. Dr. Nicholas Milton AM and the Opera Australia Orchestra opened the second half of the
concert with the Nicolai's Overture from The Merry Wives of Windsor and Coates The Dambusters March.
Don't miss these memorable performances, hosted by our compère Camille Merčep, when they go live on our channel MOST Gives More.
2026 Finals Programme Available Online
To find out more about the Orchestra, the Adjudicators, our Compère, and this year's Prizes & Opportunities, view a pdf of the programme here >
The IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition is proudly supported by the International Foundation for Arts and Culture, and the Music & Opera Singers Trust Ltd. (MOST).
