Melba Opera Trust

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Melba Opera Trust Melba Opera Trust is Australia’s premier scholarship training program for opera singers & repetiteurs

Melba Opera Trust is Australia’s premier scholarship program for promising young opera singers and repetiteurs. Driven by Dame Nellie Melba’s conviction “a beautiful voice is not enough”, the program nurtures artistic development alongside business training, mentoring and performance experience. We are the next step for artists preparing to become professionals on the world stage - inspiring excellence, realising potential, forging careers. Our programs help young singers to develop essential skills which will enable them to become well-rounded operatic artists. Our approach is a unique concept that supports young singers in three essential areas.

1. Our Scholarship Program provides funding so that our singers can undertake intensive, specialised and expert training that is appropriate for their individual needs.

2. Through our Mentor Program we provide workshops and seminars with industry experts to foster a supportive network for their development.

3. We create performance opportunities through Melba Artists so our singers can put what they are learning into practice. By offering these three levels of support, Melba Opera Trust encourages a rounded development program with a focus on excellence and a view to developing polished young professionals who will stand out in an incredibly competitive industry.

It’s the eve of Siobhan Stagg's curated Chamberfest at UKARIA Cultural Centre in the Adelaide Hills, and we know audien...
01/10/2026

It’s the eve of Siobhan Stagg's curated Chamberfest at UKARIA Cultural Centre in the Adelaide Hills, and we know audiences are in for a weekend of exquisite music.

Next week, Siobhan makes her way to Melbourne for an exclusive performance, Through Eve’s Eyes, at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Tuesday 6 October. Alongside pianist Jonathan Ware and string quartet Quatuor Agate, she will trace feminine creation from medieval mysticism to contemporary
awakening. For bookings, visit: https://www.melbournerecital.com.au/whats-on/current-productions/siobhan-stagg

Brisbane and Sydney audiences can also see Siobhan perform in Origins on 7 and 10 October, respectively.

Sending Siobhan all our best wishes for the week ahead!

Siobhan Stagg Quatuor Agate Jonathan Ware
Image: Todd Rosenberg

Last week was a big one for our Melba Artists, with five performances in as many days.Bookended by a highlight of our an...
24/09/2026

Last week was a big one for our Melba Artists, with five performances in as many days.

Bookended by a highlight of our annual calendar, Melba Artists in Concert, Sydney and Melbourne communities heard our artists perform together for the final time before our talented bass, Jack Bolton, relocated to Germany.

Under the direction of Brendan Hanson and the musical preparation of Sharolyn Kimmorley AM, the showcase performance celebrated the artists achievements and growth with superb repertoire ranging from Mozart and Rossini to Dove and Heggie.

We’re pleased to confirm that Jack has low landed in Leipzig, ready to continue his studies with our very best wishes!

Australian Chamber Orchestra Kawai Pianos Australia Coombe Yarra Valley
Sophie Hamer - Soprano Chloe James Devon Lake Sophie Blades Zac Hamilton-Russell Aylish Ryan Jack Bolton

Images: Anna Kucera and David Ng

A reminder for emerging opera artists: Melba applications are closing soon!Applications are currently open for:🎶 2027 Al...
25/08/2026

A reminder for emerging opera artists: Melba applications are closing soon!

Applications are currently open for:

🎶 2027 Alastair Jackson International Opera Award at the Royal College of Music
https://www.melbaoperatrust.com.au/ajioa-applications/

🎶 2027 Melba Program
https://www.melbaoperatrust.com.au/melba-program-applications/

🎶 Alumni Grant Program
https://www.melbaoperatrust.com.au/alumni-grant-program-applications/

Visit the links above to learn more and apply. Applications close Monday 31 August at 11.59pm AEST.

We look forward to hearing from talented young artists.

Looking for where you can next hear our artists?Join Melba Artists Devon Lake, Sophie Blades and Chloe James for An Eve...
20/08/2026

Looking for where you can next hear our artists?

Join Melba Artists Devon Lake, Sophie Blades and Chloe James for An Evening of Opera at the Victorian Pride Centre next week.

Accompanied by Sharolyn Kimmorley AM, expect favourites from Carmen, Faust and The Barber of Seville, all performed against the striking backdrop of the Victorian Pride Centre.

Thursday 27 August at 5.30pm
Tickets: from $40
Bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/melba-opera-vpc-aug-26

Funds raised will support The Pride Fund’s rooftop pavilion campaign.

Proudly partnering with Kawai Pianos Australia who are providing a stunning piano for the occasion.

ONLINE INFORMATION SESSIONS: Applications/Auditions for the Melba Program and the Alastair Jackson International Opera A...
17/08/2026

ONLINE INFORMATION SESSIONS: Applications/Auditions for the Melba Program and the Alastair Jackson International Opera Award

Tomorrow we are hosting two information sessions to provide applicants with the opportunity to ask any questions about applications for the 2027 Melba Program or the 2027 Alastair Jackson International Opera Award.

Melba’s CEO Amy Black, and Artistic Manager Sharolyn Kimmorley AM, will be facilitating the zoom session.

📅 Tuesday 18 August
4.00pm AEST —Melba Program
4.30pm AEST — Alastair Jackson International Opera Award

Register to attend: https://www.melbaoperatrust.com.au/webinar-registration/

12/08/2026

We’re now searching for the next recipient of the Alastair Jackson International Opera Award.

The Award provides an Australian or New Zealand singer with the life-changing opportunity to undertake a two-year Artist Diploma in Opera at the Royal College of Music in London, commencing in September 2027.

In this short video, current recipient Eden Shifroni shares her experience studying at the RCM and reflects on what this extraordinary opportunity has meant for her.

Applications close at 11.59pm AEST on Monday 31 August 2026.

Find out more and apply: https://www.melbaoperatrust.com.au/ajioa-applications/

With thanks to Alastair Jackson AM and the Tait Memorial Trust for their ongoing support.

Opera Australia has just announced its 2027 Season, and we’re thrilled to see so many Melba Alumni involved in productio...
12/08/2026

Opera Australia has just announced its 2027 Season, and we’re thrilled to see so many Melba Alumni involved in productions across Sydney and Melbourne.

From principal roles to choristers, it’s wonderful to see our alumni performing at home and contributing to the Australian opera landscape.

Congratulations to you all: Nina Korbe - Soprano, Alexandra Flood, Stephen Marsh, Emily Edmonds, Eden Shifroni, Stacey Alleaume - Soprano, Siobhan Stagg, Michael Petruccelli - Tenor, Fiona Jopson, Jessica Harper: Soprano and Actress, Samantha Hargreaves, Shauntai Abdul-Rahman and Elias Wilson - Tenor.

We can’t wait to follow their journeys and share more as the 2027 season approaches.

Calling all emerging opera artists – applications are now open!🎶2027 Melba Program: our year-long scholarship-funded dev...
10/08/2026

Calling all emerging opera artists – applications are now open!

🎶2027 Melba Program: our year-long scholarship-funded development program is available to singers and repetiteurs from around Australia. Designed as a bridge into the profession, each year up to eight artists are selected to participate in an individually tailored program that blends artistic excellence with business know-how, mentoring and performance experience.

🎶2027 Alastair Jackson International Opera Award: Awarded biannually, the Award provides an Australian or New Zealand singer with the opportunity to undertake a two-year Artist Diploma in Opera at the Royal College of Music in London, commencing September 2027. Valued at more than $180,000 AUD, the award covers full tuition, travel and living expenses.

🎶2026 Alumni Grant Program: Career development grants for alumni of the Melba Program. Because we know that operatic development is more marathon than sprint!

Find out more and apply via the applications tab on our website: https://www.melbaoperatrust.com.au/

Applications close on Monday 31 August at 11:59pm AEST.

We’re incredibly proud that three Melba Alumni will tonight perform in the Sydney premiere of The Drover’s Wife. Present...
07/08/2026

We’re incredibly proud that three Melba Alumni will tonight perform in the Sydney premiere of The Drover’s Wife. Presented by Opera Australia, Nina Korbe - Soprano performs as Molly Johnson, Shauntai Abdul-Rahman as Black Mary, and Elias Wilson - Tenor as Trooper Leslie.

Following its acclaimed world premiere at QPAC earlier this year, the opera received rave reviews:
‘The singers were universally excellent. As Molly Johnson, Nina Korbe was on stage for almost the entire show and gave an astonishingly impressive and powerful performance of her highly credible character.’ (Artshub)

Toi toi toi to Nina, Shauntai, Elias, and the entire cast and crew for the season ahead.

Nina was the recipient of the Indigenous Opera Scholarship and Ruskin Opera Scholarship in 2023 and 2024, Shauntai was awarded the Indigenous Opera Scholarship in 2014 and 2015, and Elias received the Indigenous Opera Scholarship in 2022.

Image: David Kelly

Our latest intensive has wrapped, and what a week it was.In the rehearsal room, Melba Artists took part in private vocal...
21/07/2026

Our latest intensive has wrapped, and what a week it was.

In the rehearsal room, Melba Artists took part in private vocal coaching with Yvonne Kenny AM, stagecraft with Constantine Costi, a dance workshop, Italian recitative seminar, digital marketing and mock auditions.

On stage, they performed at two sold-out concerts at Beleura House & Garden and Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak.

This week demonstrated how every element of the Melba Program works together to prepare the whole artist. We’re halfway through the year, and there’s still plenty more to come.

Sophie Hamer - Soprano Devon Lake Sophie Blades Zac Hamilton-Russell Aylish Ryan Chloe James Jack Bolton

Address

The Opera Centre
Southbank, VIC
3006

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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