100 years of Herald Sun Aria in Ballarat

THE Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod hosted the centenary heats and semi final of the Herald Sun Aria at the Ballarat Mechanics Institute, Minerva Room on Sunday 18 and Monday 19 August.

The Herald Sun Aria, established in 1924, is Australia’s oldest and most prestigious prize for emerging classical singers. Now in partnership with Melbourne Opera and Medownick Laser Clinic it is widely regarded as the nation’s most prestigious competition for emerging opera singers.

The Aria offers nearly $60,000 in cash prizes (including the Medownick First Prize) to enrich the training of our brightest talent.

The Herald Sun Aria has launched the international careers of many well-known singers, including Dame Malvina Major (1964) Dame Kiri Te Kanawa (1965), Jonathan Summers (1973), Judith Henley (1976), Roger Lemke (1985), and Rachelle Durkin (2000) and Ballarat’s own Jason Wasley (1993) who was present at the centenary heats and semi-final in Ballarat.

The first round Heats and Semi Finals were conducted by the Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod, and the Final is held in October at the Melbourne Recital Centre.

“The participants come from all over Australia to compete in the Herald Sun Aria,” said Royal South Street Society Herald Sun Aria chair Carolyn Bennet.

“This an opportunity for Ballarat residents to see and hear the finest voices in our country.”

Visit the website for full details about all other upcoming disciplines open for public attendance including Speech and Drama, All Abilities Performing Arts, Instrumental, Choral, Dance and Calisthenics at royalsouthstreet.com.au.

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