Melba Opera Trust is to take over the management of the Australian International Opera Award (AIOA), which allows a young singer to complete their studies at The Royal College of Music Opera Studio in London.

On top of that, the financial future of the AIOA has been secured, thanks to the philanthropic support of Dr Alastair Jackson, who has pledged annual funding, together with a $3 million bequest, which will endow the Award in perpetuity.

Melba Opera Trust will manage the award from April 2023. In recognition of Dr Jackson’s financial support, it will be renamed the Alastair Jackson International Opera Award.

William Cowan, Chairman of the International Opera Award, Melba Opera Trust chair Kate Shelmerdine and Dr Alastair Jackson. Photo supplied

Established in 1983 as a way to support young Australian and New Zealand opera singers who want to study in the UK, the award was initially called the National Opera Studio Award, and managed through Opera Foundation Victoria. Since 1987, it has been known as the Australian International Opera Award and managed by the AIOA, which is a voluntary, not-for-profit organisation. The partnership with London’s Royal College of Music (RCM)...