Gerda Lissner Foundation International Vocal Competition

The Gerda Lissner Foundation, in association with the Liederkranz Foundation, holds an annual International Vocal Competition that is one of the leading U.S. competitions for emerging opera singers. It is open to singers ages 21-32; there is no fee to enter.

Applicants apply online through the foundation's portal and, if accepted, audition in person in New York City, with preliminaries and finals held in March. Winners perform at a Winners Concert at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall.

In 2026, four singers received top prizes of $12,000 each, eleven finalists received $2,000 grants, and five singers received $500 encouragement awards. The foundation also runs a companion Art Song Competition. Applications are due at the end of December each year (December 29, 2025 for the 2026 competition).