Queen Sonja Singing Competition

The competition programme includes preliminary rounds, a semi-final and final, as well as masterclasses, career development sessions, concerts and social events.

Marking the centenary of the birth of Norwegian soprano Kirsten Flagstad in 1995, the competition has since then been arranged for singers.

Held biannually in Oslo, the Competition draws on its global network of opera companies, conservatoires and professionals to bring together 40 young promising singers from around the world.

The singers compete not only for its main prizes but to also receive coaching, masterclasses, career development sessions and international exposure.

The Queen Sonja Singing Competition is organised as a non-profit foundation headed by the Board of Directors.

The Queen Sonja Singing Competition’s main contributors are the Norwegian Ministry of Culture and the City of Oslo.

The competition also receives private funding from Canica AS, Formue, Lucy Høegh Foundation, Sat Sapienti, Anders Sveaas’ Almennyttige Fond and Lindemans Legat.

These singers are admitted directly to the preliminary rounds of the competition in Oslo and do not have to go through the regular application procedure.

Director of Opera, Randi Stene was Chair of the jury in the 2023 Competition. Here from the final concert with presenter Lise Davidsen (soprano, First Prize winner 2015). Photo: Per Ole Hagen/QSSC
Jasmin White (contralto, USA) won the First Prize in the 2023 Competition. Here from the Prize Giving Ceremony with Queen Sonja . Photo: Per Ole Hagen/QSSC