Prize winners of the 59th IVC Opera & Oratorio Competition

Following a festive Grand Finale concert, prizes were awarded to the winners of the 59th International Vocal Competition ’s-Hertogenbosch in Opera and Oratorio. The internationally acclaimed jury, led by opera director Sir David Pountney, awarded the first prize-the Grand Prix ’s-Hertogenbosch-to American mezzo-soprano Lea Shaw. She also took home the Van Amelsvoort Prize, the ANED Fund Audience Prize, and the Press Prize. Tenor Jack Lee received the second prize, while bass-baritone Evan Gray was awarded the third prize.

Lea Shaw received the top prize of €15,000 from Mayor Mikkers of ’s-Hertogenbosch. The American mezzo-soprano, based in Glasgow, is a rising star in the opera world. She has performed with Scottish Opera and English National Opera and collaborated with renowned musicians. She also won awards at the Northern Aldborough Festival New Voices Competition.

“The standard of talent was exceptionally high this time,” says Andrew Watts, General and Artistic Director. “In the past, seventy singers were invited. By reducing that number to a maximum of forty, the IVC was able to showcase the absolute best young operatic talent. They presented two programs in which opera and oratorio played equally significant roles.”

The Main Rounds of the renowned competition took place from Friday, October 2, to Monday, October 5, featuring thirty-six young opera singers. From this group, eight finalists were selected: Aaron-Casey Gould, tenor (USA); Evan Gray, bass-baritone (Switzerland); Yuriy Hadzetskyy, baritone (Ukraine); Jack Lee, tenor (UK); Chao Líu, baritone (China); Thomas McGowan, baritone (UK); Viktoriia Shamanska, soprano (Ukraine); and Lea Shaw, mezzo-soprano (USA). Following the Grand Finale concert-accompanied by Philzuid under the baton of Karen Kamensen-the juries announced their decisions. This year’s jury consisted of chairman Sir David Pountney (opera director), Susan Bullock CBE (soprano), Paul McNamara (tenor), Peter Rose (bass), Natascha Ursuliak (Opernhaus Zürich), Susanne Schmidt (Opera Ballet Vlaanderen), Dieter Kaegi (Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn), Tobias Hasan (Staatsoper Unter den Linden), and Damià Carbonell Nicolau (De Nationale Opera).

For over seventy years, the IVC has been one of Europe’s most prestigious vocal competitions. Renowned artists such as Pretty Yende, Elly Ameling, Nelly Miriciou, and Thomas Hampson launched their international opera careers in ’s-Hertogenbosch.

A recording of the IVC Grand Finale concert can be heard on Saturday, 24 October, from 19:00 to 23:00 on NPO Klassiek as part of the NTR programme ‘Opera Live’. Lea Shaw, winner of the Grand Prix ’s-Hertogenbosch, will appear as a guest on the programme *Podium Klassiek* on NPO 2 on Sunday, 11 October, at 18:15. She will perform the Lunch Concert at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on Wednesday, 14 October.

The following prizes have been awarded:

• 1st Prize - Grand Prix ’s-Hertogenbosch (€ 15.000)
Lea Shaw - mezzo-soprano (USA, 1996)

• 2nd Prize - Toonkunstprijs (€ 7.500)
Jack Lee - tenor (United Kingdom, 1997)

• 3rd Prize - Staetshuys Fund Prize (€ 4.000)

Evan Gray - bass-baritone (Switzerland, 1998)

• Young Talent Prize (€ 3.500)

Victoriia Shamanska - soprano (Ukraine, 2002)

• Marianne Blok Prize (€ 3.500)

Victoriia Shamanska - soprano (Ukraine, 2002)

• Bierens Foundation of the Arts Operetta Prize (€ 3.500 )

Jack Lee - tenor (United Kingdom, 1997)

• Van Amelsvoort Prize (€ 2.500)

Lea Shaw - mezzo-soprano (USA, 1996)

• ANED Fund Audience Prize (€ 1.500)

Lea Shaw - mezzo-soprano (USA, 1996)

• Friends of the IVC Prize (€ 1.500)

Maria Knihnytska - soprano (Ukraine, 1995)

• Press Jury Prize (€ 1.500)

Lea Shaw - mezzo-soprano (USA, 1996)

• Junior Jury Prize (€ 1.000)

Chao Liu - baritone (China, 1996)

Engagement Prizes:

• Het Concertgebouw, Lunchconcert in the Kleine Zaal, 14 October 2026

Lea Shaw - mezzo-soprano (USA, 1996)

• Händel Choir Award 2026

Irene Hoogveld, soprano (Netherlands, 1992)

• Andrew Wise Talent Award 2026

Milan de Korte, tenor (Netherlands, 1997)