The American Prize Announces 2026 Winners

The American Prize has named Landlocked Opera of Columbia, Mo., the winner of the professional division of its 2026 Opera Performance competition for its production of “The Elixir of Love.”

In the professional division, Painted Sky Opera of Oklahoma City took second place for Mazzoli and Vavrek’s “Proving Up,” and Opera Modesto of Modesto, Calif., placed third for Sotelo and Ibáñez’s “Dulcinea.” Dramatic Voices Midwest of Independence, Mo., received a finalist honorable mention for “Die Walküre.”

In the larger college/university program category, Michigan State University Opera Theatre won for “La Cenerentola” and “The Magic Flute.” The University of Oklahoma Opera placed second for “L’heure espagnole” and “Rita,” and Boston Conservatory at Berklee Opera placed third for Hoiby’s “Summer and Smoke.” Boston University Opera Institute received a Special Judges’ Citation for championing an important rediscovered work, Eduardo Sánchez de Fuentes’ “El Caminante.” Boston Conservatory at Berklee Opera also received a finalist honorable mention for a double bill of Vaughan Williams’ “Riders to the Sea” and Goble’s “Whaling Women.”

In the smaller program category, Purchase Opera won for “L’incoronazione di Poppea” and “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” Montclair State University’s Cali School of Music Mainstage Opera placed second for “La Calisto” and “Hansel & Gretel.” West Texas A&M University (“Albert Herring”), Concordia College Opera (Stinson’s “The Three Bears”) and University of Wisconsin-Madison Opera (“Songbird,” an adaptation of Offenbach’s “La Périchole”) tied for third. Schwob Opera Theatre at Columbus State University received a finalist honorable mention for “The Medium.”

In the community division, Lawrence Opera Theatre of Lawrence, Kan., won for “La Cenerentola,” and Peiyao Yu, with stage director Zhengyingyue (Elaine) Huang, placed second for “Amahl and the Night Visitors.”

The winners were announced Oct. 23 by chief judge David Katz.

Founded in 2010, The American Prize is in its 16th year. Applications for the 2027 season will be accepted from Jan. 11 through April 20, 2027.

 

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