Internationally recognized vocal competition for emerging young opera artists, dubbed 'The Olympics of Opera', held at the Southern Theatre.
The Cooper-Bing Competition returns to the Southern Theatre on Sunday, May 16, 2027, at 3 PM. It's an internationally recognized vocal competition that brings five finalists to the stage to compete for a $10,000 grand prize. If you're not familiar with it, the competition has earned the nickname 'The Olympics of Opera' for the way it puts emerging young artists head-to-head.
Beyond the prize money, the competition is about more than just a single afternoon. It's designed to celebrate and support young opera singers at a critical point in their careers, creating artistic opportunities and helping welcome the next generation into the professional opera community. Seeing five finalists perform in one sitting gives you a rare look at where the art form is heading, with each singer bringing their own voice and interpretation to the stage.
The event is presented by Opera Columbus, the company that's been running the competition. Founded in 1981, the company is currently led by General Director and CEO Julia Noulin-Mérat, who describes their approach as redefining regional opera with world-class productions. They work under the slogan 'Make It Yours,' which fits the spirit of a competition like this, where each singer has to make the music their own to stand out.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Columbus and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
It's a Sunday afternoon show, so you'll be in and out before dinner. The Cooper-Bing Competition takes place at the Southern Theatre in Columbus on Sunday, May 16, 2027, starting at 3 PM.
