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News Success James Young wins 1st prize in the 2025 Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award

Photo: Christian Pöllmann

Bass-baritone James Young (class of Prof. Susanne Kelling) won first prize in the 2025 Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award, as well as the Audience Award. The jury praised his "charismatic stage presence, ranging from the powerful and dramatic to the comedic and brilliant", as well as his "perfect vocal control". Congratulations!

The Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Award is a leading vocal competition in Australia and New Zealand, specialising in bel canto singing.

Born in Melbourne, the singer was engaged at the Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden for the 2024/25 season, performing in works by composers including Offenbach, Rossini, Puccini and Ligeti. He also made his debut as Dulcamara in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore at the Trier Theatre.