Laffont Competition
Application

2026-27 Eligibility Requirements

Participation in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition is subject to the following governing regulations:

1. The age requirement for all voice types for the 2026-2027 season is 20 – 30 years old. Applicants must be within this age limit from August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027. Applicants' birth dates must fall on or between August 1, 1996 – August 1, 2006 in order for them to be eligible to audition. This requirement is checked by the National Office during the application evaluation period. No age waiver will be granted for any reason.
2. Past applicants may re-enter the Qualifying round of competition as new applicants. However, applicants who have exceeded the age limit, reached the Grand Finals Concert, or have twice reached the National Semifinals are no longer eligible to compete. Current or former singers on the Metropolitan Opera's principal roster, and current season members of the Metropolitan Opera Chorus, Extra Chorus, or current employees of the Metropolitan Opera are ineligible to audition.
3. The Laffont Competition is open to citizens and lawful residents of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the countries of South America. Proof of citizenship that shows the applicants' birthdate is required for all who apply. Citizens of countries other than the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South American countries must show either proof of residency through March 22, 2027, or proof of full-time enrollment in a qualified educational institution, in one of these three countries before being permitted to register for a District competition. Applicants are solely responsible for securing visas to compete in all rounds of competition.
4. Applicants may apply to the Competition once per season and are required to submit one video for the Qualifying round. Videos must be recorded in the 2026 calendar year and cannot be edited for sound or video enhancement. A pianist will not be provided for the qualifying round. Videos may have live, pre-recorded, digital, or app-based piano tracks. Orchestral or instrumental tracks, and live orchestral or instrumental accompaniment will not be accepted. Recipients of any judge-awarded prizes at the District or Region levels of the 2025-2026 Competition are pre-qualified for the 2026-2027 season, should they choose to enter. They will need to complete the application through Resonance but do not need to submit a video recording. These individuals will have first priority for registration in advance of the additional singers that qualify for the 2026-2027 season.
5. An official pianist will be provided at all live competition rounds. Applicants may provide their own pianist, if desired, at their own expense. Orchestral or instrumental background tracks, or self-played piano will not be accepted at the District and Region rounds.
6. Competition prizes are paid by check or in some cases by direct deposit or wire transfer. Prize winners will be required to complete all necessary tax paperwork, at the Met's sole discretion, to claim their prizes. The Met is required by Federal and New York State laws to withhold a total of 35% of prize money awarded to non-U.S. citizens. In most cases, prizes will not be available to contestants on the day of the competition and should be expected within 2-3 weeks from their competition date.
7. A non-refundable registration fee of $30.00 is required of applicants to participate in the District round. All District winners must participate in the Region Finals of the Region in which they were District winners. If applicants choose not to participate in the applicable Region Finals, they may be asked to return all District audition prize money.
8. To be eligible to enter the Competition, you must be available EXCLUSIVELY to the Competition during the following times:
   1. Your respective District and Region audition dates;
   2. Thursday, March 11, 2027 through the National Semifinals on Sunday, March 14, 2027; and
   3. Preparation for the Laffont Grand Finals Concert from Monday, March 15, 2027 through Sunday, March 21, 2027.

   Participation in non-Competition related professional engagements or competitions is not permitted during the times specified in a), b) and c) above, unless approved IN ADVANCE in writing by the Competition's Executive Director. Failure to receive advance approval for an unrelated engagement automatically DISQUALIFIES an applicant from the National Semifinals and Finals.

9. By participating in the Competition, applicants grant the Met and the Competition the absolute right and permission to take, record, use, edit, and reuse their photographs, physical likeness, voice, name and/or biographical information in connection with their participation in the Competition for use in any media, worldwide (including social media platforms), in perpetuity for any purpose whatsoever. Applicants have no right of approval or claim to compensation arising out of such use. In addition, applicants release The Met and its agents and employees from all claims, demands, losses, and liabilities whatsoever that applicants may have now or in the future in connection with any photograph and/or recording embodying some or all of their voice, name, or likeness, or their participation in the Competition or other events. Any of the audition rounds and other performances or appearances by applicants in connection with the Competition, concerts, or other events may be exploited by the Competition and the Met by any means and media throughout the world in perpetuity, including by streaming, radio (including satellite radio), and all other means of audio and audiovisual distribution now or hereafter known, and may be used by the Competition, Met and Toll Brothers (and other sponsors) for promotional, fundraising and advertising purposes. Without limitation, the Laffont Grand Finals Concert may be broadcast over Toll Brothers-Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network or Sirius Satellite Radio. Applicants do not receive any compensation for their participation in any recording of the Competition or concerts, or any exploitation of thereof as herein described, and by participating in the Competition, applicants waive any claims to any compensation. Applicants' performance in any audio and audiovisual materials produced or created by the Competition will be a work for hire for the Met and the Competition and if for some reason same is not considered a work for hire, applicants assign to the Met and the Competition all rights therein throughout the world in perpetuity.
10. The Met may cancel, delay or otherwise modify any and all portions of the Competition in its sole discretion, including for reasons beyond its control such as epidemics, work stoppages, fires, war, government regulations, acts of terrorism, riots, rebellions, explosion, flood, storm, Acts of God and similar occurrences, and the Met shall not be liable for any such cancellation, delay or other modification.
11. Any misrepresentation on the application will be cause for disqualification without benefit of appeal. All disqualifications are in the Met's sole and absolute discretion and will require that prize money be returned upon discovery.