19th biennial competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
FORT WORTH, TX — Fort Worth Opera (FWO) and the McCammon Voice Competition Committee regrettably announced today that the 2020 Competition has been cancelled due to uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of this disappointing news, the Committee has informed each of the thirty semi-finalists that they will be granted an award of $300 to provide some financial relief during these difficult times. Semi-finalists will also be highlighted on the websites and social media platforms of both organizations in the months ahead. Originally scheduled to take place April 3 and 4, the competition was postponed until the fall, but holding a public event of this magnitude while Coronavirus cases continue to rise in North Texas, would simply be misguided at this point in time.
The talented 2020 semi-finalist competitors are SeokJong Baek, Rachel Blaustein, Leah Brzyski, Teresa Castillo, Wonjin Choi, Taylor Comstock, Joshua Conyers, Sylvia D’Eramo, Jesse Donner, Dylan Elza, Jessica Faselt, Rudolph Giron, Elana Gleason, Jana McIntyre, LaMarcus Miller, Megan Moore, Tshilidzi Ndou, Alexandra Nowakowski, Ndumiso Nyoka, John Park, Nikola Printz, Matthew Reese, Alexandra Rodrick, Brooklyn Snow, Catherine Swindle, Wm. Clay Thompson, Elena Villalón, Ethan Vincent, Boya Wei, and Junbo Zhou.
FWO and the McCammon Voice Competition Committee do not currently know when the next competition might be produced, but will continue to monitor the situation over the coming months. Ticketholders for the semi-finals and finals of the competition can donate the value of their previously purchased tickets to the McCammon, or hold a credit in their account until the next competition is announced.
ABOUT THE McCAMMON VOICE COMPETITION
Since its debut in 1985, the McCammon has become one of the most prestigious operatic events in the world. Every two years, the contest showcases some of the most compelling young singers of the 21st century, and many past winners and finalists now enjoy thriving careers, performing with major opera companies throughout the United States and across the globe. In addition to the coveted prize money, winners are offered a role in future Fort Worth Opera productions.
ABOUT FORT WORTH OPERA: Founded in 1946, Fort Worth Opera is the oldest continually-performing opera company in Texas, and one of the 14 oldest opera companies in the United States. The organization has received national acclaim from critics and audiences alike for its artistic excellence. Beginning in 2017, Fort Worth Opera launched the second phase of its landmark, 10-year Opera of the Americas initiative with Noches de Ópera (Nights of Opera), a groundbreaking campaign that introduces powerful operas, each reflecting the diverse cultures of American audiences.
Fort Worth Opera is sponsored in part by awards from The Arts Council of Fort Worth & Tarrant County, The City of Fort Worth, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and OPERA America. Additional Fort Worth Opera sponsors include: the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; The Burnett Foundation; the Amon G. Carter Foundation; the Sid W. Richardson Foundation; Visit Fort Worth; Adeline & George McQueen Foundation, J.P. Morgan, Trustee; Smallwood Foundation, J.P. Morgan, Trustee; Hattie Mae Lesley Foundation, Bank of America, Trustee; Virginia Hobbs Charitable Trust, Simmons Bank, Trustee; Garvey Texas Foundation; Mary Potishman Lard Trust; Fifth Avenue Foundation; The Thomas M. Helen McKee and John P. Ryan Foundation; R4 Foundation; Red Oak Foundation; The Rea Charitable Trust, Wells Fargo Trustee; Wells Fargo Foundation; and Autobahn.
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