The Queen Sonja Singing Competition is one of the world’s leading competitions that transforms the careers of all participants.

Held every two years in Oslo, the Competition draws on its global network of opera companies, conservatoires and professionals to bring together 40 of the best young singers from around the world. The singers compete not only for its main prizes but to also receive coaching, masterclasses, career development sessions and international exposure.

As a major advocate for the unique power of the human voice for over thirty years, Queen Sonja Singing Competition celebrates and inspires the singers taking part and connects them to audiences worldwide.

Through several rounds, a jury consisting of legendary singers, renowned opera directors and casting directors judge the singers with each competition culminating in a gala final concert and prize-giving ceremony with Her Majesty Queen Sonja.

The competition is organised as a foundation. Its institutional partners are the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet, the Norwegian Academy of Music, the Oslo National Academy of the Arts, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation and The Royal Court. Singers of all nationalities may apply to take part in the Queen Sonja International Music Competition 2023. Upper age limit is 32 years. Several participants for each competition are also nominated by the competition’s collaborating opera academies. Through several rounds, a jury consisting of internationally renowned opera directors, singers and casting associates from some of the world’s top opera houses judge the participants’ efforts. Each competition culminates in a grand final concert and prize-giving ceremony with HM Queen Sonja.

The Queen Sonja International Music Competition was founded in 1988. Among the founders was Mariss Jansons, the former principal conductor for the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. At the time, the Norwegian music scene was characterized by growing internationalization. The aim of the competition was to create an international arena for music in Norway, which could present young musicians, give Norwegian soloists an opportunity to be assessed at an international level, and attract greater international focus on the Norwegian music scene.The first competition was held in 1988, for pianists. In 1995, Norway marked the 100th anniversary of Kirsten Flagstad’s birth, and to celebrate this it was decided to dedicate the year’s competition to singers. The concept turned out to be a great success, and since 1995, the Queen Sonja International Music Competition has been exclusively for singers.