There is no charge for admission and free covered parking is also available for the semi-final daytime round, from 11:30 am until 4:00 pm. There will be complimentary valet parking for the finals round of the competition, beginning at 7:00 pm that evening.

Twenty-one semi-finalists (aged 18 to 30) chosen from a field of more than 70 applicants will compete for thousands of dollars in prize monies ($19,000 was awarded in 2007) at this year's competition honoring The Dallas Opera's Director of Artistic Administration, Jonathan Pell.

The competition is open to singers genuinely desiring to pursue a career in the field of opera. They must be current Texas residents or out-of-state residents attending a Texas college or university.

Judges for this year's event include Jonathan Friend, Artistic Administrator of the Metropolitan Opera; Christopher Hahn, Artistic Director for The Pittsburgh Opera; Christina Scheppelmann, Director of Artistic Operations for the Washington Opera; Diane Zola, Artistic Administrator for Houston Grand Opera; and from The Dallas Opera, Jonathan Pell, who also acts as artistic advisor to this eagerly anticipated annual competition.

Audience participation is part of the fun at each year's Vocal Competition and, for the tenth consecutive year, attendees will be given the chance to vote on their personal favorites for "The People's Choice Award." Audience members will also enjoy mingling and getting to know these young singers during the traditional champagne reception, a bubbly foretaste of the awards ceremony to come. This free, Spring musical event has become a favorite among opera aficionados and vocal music lovers across North Texas.

This year's special honoree has been closely involved with this vocal competition since its inception: The Dallas Opera's Director of Artistic Administration, Jonathan Pell.

"In addition to taking the lead on the judge's panel each year," explains 2008 Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition Chairman Donald R. Jones, "Jonathan has secured the most qualified and distinguished judges from opera companies and stages across the United States. His generosity and enthusiasm have been an inspiration to everyone involved.

"We thank Jonathan Pell for supporting the high quality of the Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition."

"An impressive number of former winners have gone on to have important careers in the opera world," says Dallas Opera Guild President Marilyn Halla. "In Santa Fe Opera's 2007 Season, three of our former winners sang leading and title roles: Jennifer Black sang the role of Mimi in Puccini's La bohème and Erin Wall sang the title role in Richard Strauss's Daphne, in which tenor Garrett Sorenson also appeared.

"These three singers won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, respectively, in The Dallas Opera Guild's 2001 Vocal Competition."

The Dallas Opera Guild's Vocal Competition, not only provides vital assistance to the young opera stars of tomorrow, but also creates an outstanding opportunity for people from throughout the community to hear exceptional up-and-coming talents. -- www.dallasopera.org