After its establishment in 1965 as a support group for a short-lived opera company, the Denver Lyric Opera Guild soon found its niche by supporting young, budding singers.
Chief among its activities is the Competition of Colorado Singers, which returns this weekend for its 26th year, with 41 aspirants ages 23-32 set to take part.
The contest has gained enough of a reputation in the opera world to consistently attract top judges. This year’s roster includes famed soprano Carol Vaness; Timothy O’Leary, general director of Opera Theatre of St. Louis; and music critic and program annotator James M. Keller.
Boosting the event’s profile are its cash awards, which are unusually generous for a regional competition. This year, the guild will distribute $34,750 in prizes, including a $6,000 top award.
“The concern is that a lot of these young people do not have the financial support in order to pursue their career,” said guild president Lynn Harrington.
Besides meeting the age parameters and other requirements, the contestants must have lived in Colorado for at least a year. Many are students from across the country and abroad.
“We even had two winners last year that were from China and were in our top 10,” Harrington said.
Past winners include Cynthia Lawrence, an internationally known soprano who grew up in Boulder, as well as such area notables as Robert Gardner and Marcia Ragonetti.
The preliminary round of the competition will take place Saturday, with the finals on March 20. Both events, as well as a masterclass on Monday, are free.
The Lyric Opera Guild has more than 280 members — most of whom are knowledgeable, devoted opera fans.
“They’re not just a bunch of ladies who get together because they like each other,” Harrington said. “They really are opera supporters. It’s not just a social club.”
Opera-guild competition sings aspirants’ praises
competition for colorado singers. Opera. First Plymouth Congregational Church, 3501 S. Colorado Blvd. More than 40 operatic singers who have lived in Colorado for at least a year will take part in this 26th annual contest, sponsored by the Denver Lyric Opera Guild. Cash prizes totaling $36,000 will be distributed. Preliminaries, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; masterclass with tenor James McDonald, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday; and finals, 1 to 5 p.m. March 20. Lunch with a performance by competition winners, 11:30 a.m. April 6, Pinehurst Country Club, 6255 W. Quincy Ave. Competition and masterclass, free; lunch, $35 (reservations required). 303-895-5937 or .
