The Gerda Lissner Foundation

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.

06/01/2026

Applications are now OPEN for the 2026 Gerda Lissner Art Song Competition! 🎶

The Foundation is pleased to announce increased prize money for the competition: Up to two top prizes of $12,000 will be awarded, and all finalists will receive a $2,000 grant.

Presented in association with The Liederkranz Foundation, this competition offers vocal artists the opportunity to showcase their artistry, compete for prizes, and perform on one of the world’s most prestigious stages.

Top Prize Winners will perform at our Winners Concert at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall on April 29, 2027!

Important Dates:

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

We invite you to apply and share your voice with us! Apply today today at https://gerdalissner.org/2026-art-song-competition-rules/

Pictured: 2025 Art Song Competition Winner

05/29/2026

We are pleased to share the inaugural edition of our newsletter, Lissner Notes, out now!

Inside, you'll find highlights from our 2025–2026 season, including:
• A recap of our Annual Winners Concert at Carnegie Hall featuring 2026 Honoree Stephanie Blythe
• Updates on our Greene Space Recital Series and community programs
• A look ahead at our 2026–2027 season
• And much more!

Thank you to our artists, judges, supporters, partners, and music lovers who make our mission possible. We invite you to explore the newsletter and celebrate another extraordinary season of supporting the next generation of 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/

05/26/2026

We are proud to celebrate Gerda Lissner Foundation honoree and prize winner Anthony Roth Costanzo on his recent The New York Times feature highlighting his work with Opera Philadelphia!

Anthony has long exemplified what it means to be an artist and advocate, using his platform not only to inspire audiences, but to reimagine how opera can connect with communities and future generations. His commitment to keeping this art form accessible and alive is a reminder of opera’s enduring impact.

Congratulations Anthony, and thank you for your continued dedication to shaping the future of opera!

Anthony Roth Costanzo took over Opera Philadelphia when it was “three weeks away from stopping payroll.” Now, it is rebounding with a surplus.

05/04/2026