Begun in 1954, the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions underwent a name change in 2021—to the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition in recognition of a sizable gift from the Laffont family in the name of Eric and Dominique Laffont. The mission of the competition has not changed: discover promising young opera singers and assist in the development of their careers.
The structure of the competition also remains the same—the judged winners in 36 local districts advance to 11 geographic region competitions. The winners in the region competitions are brought to New York City for National Semifinal consideration which eventually leads a select few to a Grand Finals Concert.
The Tennessee District is one of five districts comprising the Southeast Region, with hosting duties for the district alternating annually between Knoxville and Nashville. The Tennessee district competition for 2023 was held on Saturday, January 7, in the Powell Recital Hall in the University of Tennessee’s Natalie Haslam Music Center in Knoxville. Twenty singers competed in the district—nine sopranos, three tenors, five baritones, and three basses.
Four singers were given Encouragement Awards, while two singers advance to the Southeast Region competition on February 12 at Clayton State University in Georgia. Judges were Scott Guzielek (Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia), James Barbato (Palm Beach Opera), and Heidi Murphy (Jacobs School of Music). The accompanying pianist for all of the singers was Eileen Downey of the University of Tennessee School of Music.
2023 Tennessee District Winners Advancing To Southeast Region Competition
Kevin Godínez, baritone–from San Carlos, Costa Rica
Maria Vasilevskaya, soprano–from Novosibirsk, Russia
2023 Tennessee District Encouragement Award Winners
Jenna Grissom, soprano, from West Memphis, Arkansas
Joseph O’Shea, baritone, from Mobile, Alabama
Chris Farley, baritone, from Morris, Alabama
Lindsey Chinn, soprano, from Oak Ridge, Tennessee
The Grand Finals Concert will be held on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on Sunday, April 23. Visit the Metropolitan Opera website for tickets or phone 212-362-6000.
• • • Tennessee District Participating Singers • • •
