HomeThe Richard Divall Program

The

Richard Divall Program

Developing opera singers to a professional, performance-ready standard since 2016

APPLICATIONS FOR 2026-2027 program OPEN MARCH 23

APPLICATIONS OPEN

Stage one

23 March 2026

APPLICATIONS CLOSE

Stage one

4 May 2026

OUTCOMES ADVISED

Stage one

13 May 2026

PROGRAM COMMENCES

Live auditions late May

July / August 2026

About the program

Nearly a decade of extraordinary results

The Richard Divall Program focuses on developing opera singers to a professional, performance-ready standard. Singers are selected for either the Emerging Artists or Developing Artists tier of the program, with the opportunity to reapply for a second year of support. This is a one-year, mid-year intake program — intensive and running throughout the whole year.

As we approach our tenth year, the results speak for themselves. Of the 52 singers supported to date, 39 are in regular remunerated employment as opera singers in Australia and abroad — an outstanding achievement for a program not quite a decade old.

52
singers supported to date
39
in regular paid work as opera singers
~10
years of operations

What the program provides

  • Financial assistance for singing lessons with your teacher
  • Opportunities to perform and understudy main stage roles in a professional environment
  • Concert and event performances
  • High-level coaching for roles being performed and understudied, as well as general repertoire
  • Professional rehearsal conditions
  • Exclusive masterclasses with visiting artists, conductors and directors
  • Language classes — Italian at the Italian Institute of Culture; German at the Goethe Institut Melbourne, lyric diction
  • Role preparation and stagecraft with 16th Street Actors Studio and guest professionals
  • Professional practice instruction and mentoring from senior colleagues

How to apply

1

Request an application formOpens 23 March 2026
2

Submit written applicationCloses 4 May 2026
3

Stage one outcomes advised13 May 2026
4

Live audition — MelbourneLate May / early June 2026
5

Program commencesJuly / August 2026

Eligibility

Open age program — no age restriction

Full-time Victorian resident throughout the program

Australian citizen and resident

No relocation or interstate travel costs provided

Not a salaried program — other work commitments accommodated within reason

Contact

Program Director
Suzanne Chaundy
suzanne@melbourneopera.com

About the program

A legacy of generosity and vision

The Richard Divall Program was created to honour the memory of one of Australia’s most lauded conductors, Maestro Richard Divall, supported by a generous bequest made by Melbourne-born international soprano Sylvia Fisher. Upon her death, Sylvia Fisher made this bequest to ensure the continuing support of the development of new artists of operatic excellence in her hometown, Melbourne. Before Maestro Divall’s death in early 2017, he was closely involved in the planning and creation of this program in collaboration with Melbourne Opera.

Managed by a committee of professional opera artists through Melbourne Opera, The Richard Divall Program aims to develop singers of great potential to a performance-ready standard. It will focus on providing opportunities for emerging opera singers to experience the pressure of intensive role preparation, rehearsal and performance in a professional setting whilst continuing artistic development with tailored high quality coaching, workshops, master classes and mentoring.

Read about Richard Divall ›
Read about Sylvia Fisher ›

“Showcasing the extraordinary talents of emerging and developing artists of the Richard Divall Program in a simple yet spirited staging, the work finds both sparkle and sincerity.”

— Australian Arts Review, on the 2025 production of Così fan tutte

2025 Richard Divall production of Così fan tutte
(L–R) Hartley Trusler, Sidra Nissen, Henry Shaw, Heulen Cynfal, Livia Brash and Joshua Erdelyi-Götz. Photo: Robin Halls

Results

The moment preparation meets opportunity

The program’s performance-ready focus was never more evident than when soprano Emily Szabo stepped in to sing the role of Mimì in Melbourne Opera’s La Bohème in September 2024, receiving high praise from Limelight and Classic Melbourne. That ability to deliver under pressure is exactly what this program is built to develop.

Program members have taken on principal roles and covered major productions including Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Suor Angelica, Samson et Dalila and Don Giovanni, and have gone on to work with Victorian Opera and companies interstate and abroad.

Emerging Artists — 2025 to 2026

Meet the current cohort

BREANNA STUART
Soprano
HEULEN CYNFAL
Soprano
SIDRA NISSEN
Mezzo-Soprano
HARTLEY TRUSLER
Baritone
LIVIA BRASH
Soprano
JOSHUA ERDELYI- GÖTZ
Tenor

Developing Artists — 2025 to 2026

Building the next generation