Five Singers Named 2018 Winners Of The Metropolitan Opera's National Council Auditions
After many months of competitions at the district, regional, and national levels, five singers have been named as the winners of the nation's most prestigious vocal competition, the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Each winner receives a $15,000 cash prize and the exposure that comes with winning the competition that launched the careers of many of opera's biggest stars.
This year's winners are Jessica Faselt, 25, soprano (Upper Midwest Region: Iowa City, IA); Madison Leonard, 26, soprano (Middle Atlantic Region: Coeur d'Alene, ID); Ashley Dixon, 26, mezzo-soprano (Northwest Region: Peachtree, GA); Hongni Wu, 23, mezzo-soprano (Eastern Region: Jingdezhen, China); and Carlos Enrique Santelli, 26, tenor (Western Region: Orlando, FL).
Earlier this afternoon, this year's finalists performed on the Met stage in the final phase of the competition. Each finalist sang two arias with the Met orchestra, led by Bertrand de Billy. The audience for the Grand Finals Concert included artistic directors of leading opera companies, artist managers, important teachers and coaches, music critics, and many other industry professionals with the potential to play an influential role in the career of a young singer.
The Met Auditions, currently in their 64th year, were the public's first introduction to many of today's best-known stars, including Renée Fleming, Susan Graham, Frederica von Stade, Deborah Voigt, Lawrence Brownlee, Thomas Hampson, Eric Owens, Angela Meade, Nadine Sierra, Jamie Barton, and Ryan Speedo Green. Recent winners who have gone on to embark on major operatic careers include Paul Appleby, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Lisette Oropesa, Susanna Phillips, and Alek Shrader. Over 100 singers who participated in the National Council process early in their careers are on the Met's roster in the current season.
The Grand Finals Concert featured a performance by guest artist Bryan Hymel and host Joyce DiDonato. The concert was recorded for broadcast at a later date on public radio stations across the United States.
The remaining four finalists, Danielle Beckvermit, 25, soprano (Eastern Region: Kingston, NY); Emily Misch, 28, soprano (Eastern Region: Santa Monica, CA); Megan Grey, 24, mezzo-soprano (Upper Midwest Region: Cedar Falls, IA); and Gretchen Krupp, 25, mezzo-soprano (Central Region: Manassas, VA), each received a cash prize of $5,000.
The regional and district-level auditions, held across the U.S. and Canada, are sponsored by the Metropolitan Opera National Council and administered by National Council members and hundreds of volunteers from across the country. Given the reach of the auditions, the number of applicants, and the program's long tradition, the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions are considered the most prestigious competition for singers seeking to launch an operatic career.
More Hot Stories For You

January 24, 2023
The great opera TOSCA will be presented by Guild Opera Company on Friday January 27th and Saturday January 28th at 7:30 PM at River of the Valley in Canoga Park.

January 21, 2023
The Bronx Opera Company will open its 56th season with the landmark musical LADY IN THE DARK, music by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and book by Moss Hart. Performances will be on Saturday & Sunday, January 28 & 29 Saturday & Sunday, February 4 & 5.

January 18, 2023
Wagner's soaring masterpiece Lohengrin returns to the Met stage after 17 years, in a new production by internationally renowned director François Girard. The production runs from February 26th-April 1st.

January 17, 2023
OPERA America is pleased to recognize the leadership achievements and dedication of three women administrators who have been selected as protégés in the 2022‒2023 Mentorship Program for Women Administrators.

January 14, 2023
From January 30-February 4, 2023, renowned soprano Renée Fleming will mentor 10 aspiring young singers and 10 collaborative pianists from around the world in the fifth year of SongStudio, an innovative program exploring the future of the vocal recital. The annual intensive workshop—hosted by Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute (WMI)—brings emerging vocalists and pianists together with leading artists and coaches for a week of instruction and performance at Carnegie Hall.