Sydney soprano Georgia Melville has been named as the recipient of The Australian International Opera Award (AIOA), now renamed the Alastair Jackson International Opera Award in honour of its leading philanthropist.

Established in 1983, AIOA has sponsored 43 young Australians with financial support for study in the UK for at least one year. Worth $90,000 and offered in association with the Royal College of Music, it is now Australia’s most valuable vocal scholarship.

Willian Cowan, Chairman of AIOA, Georgia Melville and Dr Alastair Jackson. Photo supplied.

Melville is currently studying for her Master’s Degree at the Royal College of Music in London. The scholarship will provide her with the opportunity to move directly to the Royal College of Music Opera Studio following her graduation, where she will be funded for two years of study and have the opportunity to prepare for a career in opera on the world stage.

Melville was a 2020–2021 Artist with Melba Opera Trust and a finalist in the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation’s 2021 Bel Canto Award. She is currently a Helen Rachael Mackaness Trust Scholar and is already building up an impressive list of...