The five young singers to compete in the final round of the this year’s IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition have been announced. They are: soprano Georgia Cooper (24, NSW); baritone Jake Lyle (20, QLD); soprano Ariana Ricci (22, NSW); soprano Molly Ryan (22, NSW), and soprano Eden Shifroni (24, NSW).

The five vocalists will perform on 19 September at The Concourse, Chatswood, accompanied by the Opera Australia Orchestra under Tahu Matheson for the final round of the competition. 

[L-R] Molly Ryan, Ariana Ricci, Jake Lyle, adjudicator Natalie Aroyan (centre), Georgia Cooper and Eden Shifroni. Photo supplied

Finalists compete for the Marianne Mathy Scholarship, a $30,000 prize to be put towards study or singing activities. The first place winner also earns an opportunity to audition for the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s professional artist development program, a painted portrait of themselves in concert garb, a taped interview to be held in the National Library of Australia, a folio of photographic prints and the Mathy Limited Edition Drago Marin Cherina Statuette.

Tasmanian-born soprano Georgia Cooper is currently undertaking a Masters of Opera at...