The Gerda Lissner Foundation

10/08/2026

The Gerda Lissner Foundation looks forward to welcoming Dr. Alison D’Amato of Eastman School of Music to the Art Song Competition judging team. She appears on Friday, October 16 when Merkin Hall presents The Anthology of Art Song by Black Composers, a showcase featuring Eastman School of Music faculty and students in collaboration.

The performance celebrates the release of IN PLAIN SIGHT: The Black Anthology and the extraordinary contributions of Black composers to the art song tradition.

📍 Merkin Hall
📅 October 16, 2026

Learn more and find tickets at the link here: https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/mch/event/the-anthology-of-art-song-by-black-composers/

10/05/2026

The Gerda Lissner Foundation is now on YouTube! We’re excited to share our new home for some extraordinary performances and conversations from the world of opera and vocal music.

Our channel features past New York Public Radio concerts in collaboration with esteemed institutions including Manhattan School of Music, The Juilliard School, Mannes School of Music, and more, and also features acclaimed artists such as Stephanie Blythe, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Latonia Moore, and many others.

Whether you’re discovering these performances for the first time or revisiting a favorite, there’s plenty to explore. Subscribe to stay connected and experience these remarkable performances anytime.

The Gerda Lissner Foundation was created by Mrs. Lissner, a Metropolitan Opera subscriber for 77 years, to provide young opera singers with the financial support they need to pursue their craft and excel in the world of Opera. We believe that the encouragement and assistance to young artists toward....

09/29/2026

Introducing Lissner Voices, a new video series from The Gerda Lissner Foundation!

In this first episode, F. Paul Driscoll sits down with acclaimed pianist and Artistic Director of The Juilliard School's Vocal Arts Program Brian Zeger and composer Ben Moore to discuss how the recital world has changed, what kinds of opportunities are available for today's emerging artists, and how presenters and artists can work together to create new audiences.

Both of these artists will be honored with Distinguished Achievement Awards at our 2027 Winners Concert at Zankel Hall.

Watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL0Oh1mqZJg

09/14/2026

Applications are now OPEN for the 2027 Gerda Lissner Foundation International Vocal Competition!

The 2027 International Vocal Competition, presented by The Gerda Lissner Foundation, is now accepting applications from talented vocalists ready to take the next step in their careers.

• Up to four top winners will each receive $12,000
• Finalists not selected for the top honors will receive $2,000 grants
• Top winners will perform at the Winners Concert at Carnegie Hall on April 29, 2027

Important Dates:

• Application Deadline: December 29, 2026 at 3:00 PM EST
• Preliminary Round: March 8–11, 2027
• Final Round: March 12, 2027

Apply and let your voice be heard! Visit this link for competition rules & application information: https://gerdalissner.org/ivc-2027-rules/

Pictured: IVC 2026 Top Prize Winner Anna Thompson

08/10/2026

Last chance to apply! The 2026 Art Song Competition applications are due tomorrow, August 11, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET

This competition offers vocal artists the opportunity to compete for up to two top prizes of $12,000, with every finalist receiving a $2,000 grant. Top prize winners will also perform at the Winners Concert in Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall on April 29, 2027.

Don't wait - submit your application today! gerdalissner.org

07/28/2026

Only two weeks remaining to apply to the 2026 Gerda Lissner Art Song Competition!

This competition offers:

- Up to two top prizes of $12,000
- A $2,000 grant for every finalist
- The opportunity to perform at the Winners Concert in Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall on April 29, 2027

Application Deadline: August 11, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET

Submit your application today and take the next step in your artistic journey! https://gerdalissner.org/art-song-vocal-competition/

Pictured: 2025 Art Song Competition Third Prize Winner Jennifer Robinson

07/24/2026

Our Summer Art Song Newsletter has arrived! ☀️🎶

Whether you're a vocalist, educator, or passionate supporter of classical music, we invite you to catch up on everything happening at the Gerda Lissner Foundation.

Read about the upcoming Art Song Competition (including important competition deadlines), and Greene Space performances with University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music - CCM and Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Plus, we announce our 2027 Winners Concert Honorees.

Check out the full newsletter and stay connected with the Gerda Lissner Foundation as we continue to support the next generation of exceptional vocal artists!

• To read this edition, please visit this link and download the newsletter PDF: https://gerdalissner.org/newsletter/
• To have future editions sent directly to your inbox, subscribe here! https://gerdalissner.org/contact/

07/08/2026

One month to apply for the Art Song Competition!

This year's competition features increased prize money, with up to two top prizes of $12,000 and a $2,000 grant for every finalist.

This competition offers emerging vocal artists the opportunity to perform, gain recognition, and compete for the chance to appear at the Winners Concert in Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall on April 29, 2027.

Important dates:

• Application Deadline: August 11, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET
• Preliminary Round: October 13–15, 2026
• Final Round: October 16, 2026

We look forward to hearing your artistry! Apply today: https://gerdalissner.org/2026-art-song-competition-rules/

Pictured: Art Song Competition 2025 Second Prize Winner Magdalena Kuźma

06/22/2026

Save the date! ✨

The Gerda Lissner Foundation, in association with the Liederkranz Foundation, is pleased to announce that our 2027 Winners Concert will be held on Thursday, April 29, 2027 at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall. Join us as we honor pianist Brian Zeger and composer Ben Moore, and celebrate the winners of this upcoming season's Art Song and International Vocal Competition. Tickets will go live at a later date, stay tuned!

06/04/2026

Congratulations again to Sullivan Award winner Anna Thompson! Her award was designated in memory of the Foundation's longtime trustee and executive director Maggie Stearns.

Anna completed her training at Academy of Vocal Arts where her roles included the Countess in Capriccio and Countess Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro. She earned music degrees from Rice University and the Eastman School of Music.

This fall Anna will enter The Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. She was in Opera Theatre of Saint Louis's Gerdine Young Artist Program in 2025 and the Santa Fe Opera's Apprentice Program in 2024. Prior to that, she was a Studio Artist with Aspen Music Festival and School and an Emerging Artist with Seagle Festival.

Anna's recognition includes awards from The Gerda Lissner Foundation and The George and Nora London Foundation and being selected as 2026 Grand Finals Winner at The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition.