The American Opera Auditions was a

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

organization located in

Cincinnati, Ohio Cincinnati ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state line wit ...

that organized an annual singing contest in both the United States and Italy from 1956-1990. The organization was founded by Cincinnati businessman and philanthropist John L. Magro. Winners of the American Opera Auditions from the United States were afforded the opportunity to study singing in Italy and make their professional European opera debuts at notable Italian

opera house An opera house is a theatre building used for performances of opera. It usually includes a stage, an orchestra pit, audience seating, and backstage facilities for costumes and building sets. While some venues are constructed specifically for o ...

s. The Italian winners were afforded the opportunity to study singing in the United States and make their US debut with the

Cincinnati Opera Cincinnati Opera is an American opera company based in Cincinnati, Ohio and the second oldest opera company in the United States (after the New York Metropolitan Opera). Beginning with its first season in 1920, Cincinnati Opera has produced operas ...

during its summer season. Notable winners of the competition include Sharon Azrieli,

Gene Boucher Gene Boucher (6 December 1933, Bohol, Philippines - 31 January 1994, Manhattan) was an American operatic baritone. His career was chiefly associated with the Metropolitan Opera where he performed annually from 1965 until 1984 in more than 1000 p ...

, Dominic Cossa, James King, John Modinos,

Elizabeth Fischer Monastero Elizabeth Fischer Monastero is an American operatic mezzo-soprano and voice teacher. Life and career Born Elizabeth Fischer and raised in Dubuque, Iowa, Fischer Monastero graduated with a bachelor's degree in vocal performance from the Universit ...

Karen Holvik Karen Holvik is an American classical soprano and voice teacher. Holvik was born in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the daughter of Karl Holvik (1921–2003), clarinetist, conductor, and Professor of Music at the University of Northern Iowa from 1947 to 1984 ...

, Sherill Milnes,

Seymour Schwartzman Seymour Schwartzman (December 7, 1930 – January 18, 2009) was an American cantor and opera singer. He was a principal baritone at New York City Opera where he sang over thirty roles and also performed internationally in opera houses and on the ...

George Shirley George Irving Shirley (born April 18, 1934) is an American operatic tenor, and was the first African-American tenor to perform a leading role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Early life Shirley was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and r ...

and

Carol Toscano Carol Toscano is an American operatic soprano who appeared frequently with a number of prominent American opera companies from 1962 to 1972. Afterwards she continued to perform in concerts and operas with less frequency. More recently she has appe ...

References

{{reflist Opera competitions Organizations established in 1956