20 emerging professional singers selected from 430 applicants representing 19 different countries
NAPLES, FL (January 5, 2026) – Opera Naples announces the complete roster of contestants and
jury members for the 2026 Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice
Competition. 430 singers from 19 different countries applied to compete, and 20 contestants were
selected.
Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition
The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition supports the career
growth of young opera singers by offering them the chance to be heard by industry professionals and
to compete for artistic contracts. The competition occurs in three rounds at Florida Gulf Coast
University in Fort Myers, FL on March 13 &14 and in Baker Park in Naples, FL on March 15, 2026.
The competition fosters the career development of promising young opera singers worldwide by
providing a platform to be heard by a panel of industry professionals and compete for artistic
contracts that will significantly further their careers. This competition is a revival of the renowned
Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition, which was founded in 1981 and, at its height, had
1,500 applicants from over 25 countries.
Each winner will receive a minimum of $10,000 in contracts to perform roles and/or concerts with
Opera Naples as well as other opera houses and presenters within the next two seasons of the award.
The winners will perform in the Opera Naples 2027 Festival Under the Stars.
Competition Dates: March 13-15, 2026
Competition Semifinal Round (open to the public):
• March 14 at 1pm
• Florida Gulf Coast University Bower School of Music and the Arts, U. Tobe Recital Hall, 10501
FGCU Blvd. S, Fort Myers, FL, U.S.A. 33965
• $35 tickets available at OperaNaples.org
Competition Final Round (open to the public):
• March 15 at 7pm
• Baker Park, 50 Riverside Circle, Naples, FL, U.S.A. 34102
• $39-$157 tickets available at OperaNaples.org
Contestants:
Sopranos: Hannah Cho, Laura Fernandez, Alexandra Hotz, Virginia Mims, Tess Ottinger, Sofia
Scattarreggia
Mezzo-sopranos: Ashlyn Brown, Kara Morgen, Grace Ryan, Julianna Smith
Tenors: Alexander Adkins, Victor Cardamone, SeongBeom Choi, Luke Norvell, Yulin Wang
Baritones: Alexander Granito, Byung Jun Ko, Yantian Sun
Basses: Peter Barber, Yoseph Park
Jury:
The jury is presided over by Nicoletta Pavarotti and Ramón Tebar. Additional jury members include
international singers, opera directors, casting directors, artistic directors and consultants of renowned
opera houses:
Nicoletta Pavarotti, President of the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation
Ramón Tebar, Opera Naples Artistic and Music Director
Krzysztof Biernacki, Director of Bower School of Music and the Arts, Florida Gulf Coast University
Bruce Ford, Tenor
John Churchwell, Head of Music of San Francisco Opera
Dr. Jeanie Darnell, Head of Vocal Studies, Florida Gulf Coast University School of Music
Marco Vinco, Artistic Director of the Macerata Opera Festival
Warren Mok, Tenor and Founder/Artistic Director of Opera Hong Kong
George Andguladze, Bass and Artistic Advisor of Georgian State Opera
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Opera Naples is an artistic powerhouse, dedicated to presenting high-quality opera productions and
concerts featuring prominent international, national and regional performers and directors. Opera
Naples has presented well-known grand operas such as La bohème, Carmen, Faust, La Traviata,
Madama Butterfly, Rigoletto, Tosca and more. An advocate of community service and education
outreach, Opera Naples introduces opera to thousands of children each year through various
programs, including in-school programs and performances in Collier and Lee counties, the Resident
Artists Program and Summer Youth Program. The company is also committed to nurturing promising
young talent through the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples Academy led by a faculty of
prominent opera luminaries who offer an immersive program of vocal instruction, lectures and
masterclasses. In collaboration with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, Opera Naples also hosts an
International Voice Competition, in partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University. The company has
earned local, regional and state government support. For more information, visit OperaNaples.org.
Opera Naples, Inc. • 2408 Linwood Avenue • Naples, FL 34112 • 239.963.9050 • OperaNaples.org