Brian Law Opera Scholarship Competition
Brian Law
About the Competition
The Brian Law Opera Scholarship is a biennial scholarship opportunity for young singers from the National Capital Region (by birth, education or residency) who are focusing on an opera career.
The most recent competition was held at 7 P.M. on Saturday, 21 November 2009, at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Avenue, Ottawa. The next competition will be held in November 2011.
The recently increased 1st and 2nd prizes are $5000 and $3000, with a 3rd prize of $1000 donated by Cav. Pasqualina Pat Adamo.
Notices are sent out to music-education organizations across the country. From all entries received, a preliminary jury chooses up to six finalists. At the public competition each contestant has to perform a selection of three opera arias, one with recitative, accompanied by his/her own accompanist, before a three-member jury. The announcement of the winners is followed by the presentation of the prizes.
The Scholarship was established in 1991 upon the departure of conductor and choir director Brian Law from Ottawa. It honours the contribution he made to opera during the course of his twenty-five years in the National Capital Region. He is now Director of the Christchurch City Choir in Christchurch, New Zealand. He actively sought to increase the profile and presence of opera not only in the National Capital Region, but also throughout Canada. In recognition of his many achievements in this area, the National Capital Opera Society established and administers an Endowment Fund allowing for a biennial scholarship competition under the distinguished patronage of Maureen Forrester, C.C. It was first held in 1993, with Brian present. The Fund is gradually reaching its goal. It now stands at over $30,000 thanks to its many supporters. Further donations are always highly appreciated.
Past Winners
