“I am so grateful for competitions like this that allow a singer to get exposure as well as provide assistance for voice lessons, travel expenses, and much more.” - AMY OWENS, 2ND PLACE REGION FINALS 2015
The Laffont Competition (formerly the National Council Auditions) is organized annually with the help of volunteers across the country. The competition consists of four rounds, beginning at a local level and culminating on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera.
Winners of the New York District continue on to the Eastern Region Finals.
In recognition of a generous gift from the Laffont family, the Met’s nationwide vocal competition—known since its founding in 1954 as the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions—begins a new chapter as the Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition. Mrs. Laffont, an Advisory Director on the Met Board, has spent many hours volunteering with the auditions over the last 20 years, and she and her late husband, Eric, have long been among the program’s most dedicated supporters.
Many of the world’s foremost singers, among them Renée Fleming, Susan Graham, Thomas Hampson, Ben Heppner, Jessye Norman, Samuel Ramey, Frederica von Stade, Deborah Voigt and Dolora Zajick have received awards from the Laffont Competition. Annually, approximately 100 former auditioners appear in Metropolitan Opera productions.
Singers that have advanced to the District Round will receive a notification regarding the opening of registration. You will be prompted to log in to your Dashboard, select a District, and pay the $30 application fee to reserve your spot. Districts are limited to 25 singers and will operate on a first come, first served basis.
District auditions | November 6 and 7 at Merkin Hall
Region auditions | December 13 at Merkin Hall
National Semifinals | March 9, 2025 at the Met Opera
Grand Finals Concert | March 16, 2025 at the Me tOpera
The Laffont Competition Eastern Region is a volunteer based organization. As both a District and a Region, we are responsible for raising all the funds necessary to hold the District Auditions and the Region Finals. This includes rental of an audition space and pianist, as well as the prize money awarded to the winners. The Metropolitan Opera then organizes and funds the last two rounds of the competition.
We want to give our singers the best possible chances when competing, and this means holding the auditions at a concert hall like Merkin. We also like to provide our singers with great pianists and knowledgeable judges who can provide valuable feedback.
Laffont Competition Eastern Region is a 501(c)3, so all donations are tax-deductible up to the extent allowed by law.
The New York District Team
- Tom Cannon Jr., Chair
- Jesse Cohen
- Lara Marcon
- Lisa Litwin
- Peter Agnone Ruane
- Stefanie Van Steelandt
