The Handel Aria Competition is an annual event dedicated to promoting
the performance of Handel’s extensive vocal repertoire.
The 13th Annual Handel Aria Competition
This year’s Handel Aria Competition will take place on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 7:30 pm in the historic Grace Episcopal Church on the capitol square in Madison, Wisconsin.
Buy Your Tickets Today!
Livestream tickets will be available at no charge this year thanks to a generous donor.
Introducing our 2026 Finalists
Congratulations to the seven exceptional singers chosen as finalists in the 2026 Handel Aria Competition – out of an international field of over 120 applicants!
Clockwise, from upper left: Addy Sterrett, soprano; Katherine Lerner Lee, mezzo soprano; Sam Denler, tenor; Sarah Fleiss, soprano; Fran Daniel Laucerica, tenor; Andréa Walker, soprano; and Daniel Boyd, baritone.
Our Judges for 2026
From left to right: Harpsichordist Jason J. Moy is one of the most sought-after early keyboard specialists in the Midwest. He is Artistic Director of Ars Musica Chicago and Associate Music Director of Bach in the City, Chicago’s newest period instrument ensemble.
The founding Artistic Director of the Handel Aria Competition, Cheryl Bensman-Rowe, mezzo-soprano, was also the Co- Artistic Director of the Madison Early Music Festival. A former faculty member at Vanderbilt University and UW-Oshkosh, she currently teaches adults and high school students in her private studio in Madison.
Chase Hopkins serves as the General Director of Chicago’s acclaimed Haymarket Opera Company and Artistic Director of Opera Edwardsville. Hopkins’ singing career included a strong focus on Baroque opera, having performed at festivals across Europe and the United States
The 2025 Prize Winners
First prize in the 2025 Handel Aria Competition went to tenor Trevor Scott; second prize and audience favorite to tenor Morgan Mastrangelo (left) and third prize to baritone Jeremy Weiss (right). Honorable mention encouragement prizes went to Elisse Albian, soprano; Fredy Bonilla, baritone; Sam Denler, tenor; and Paulina Francisco, soprano.
These seven exceptional singers came to Madison, Wisconsin to share their talent in the 12th annual Handel Aria Competition. They are, from left to right, Fredy Bonilla, Elisse Albian, Jeremy Weiss, Trevor Scott, Morgan Mastrangelo, Paulina Francisco, and Sam Denler.
Photo by Lewis Photography.
Program from 2025
Watch 2025’s Competition
View past performances by finalists and competition winners on our YouTube channel.
Support Us Your donation helps us support emerging singers throughout the competition process by underwriting travel grants and awards, as well as providing remuneration for competition judges and instrumental accompanists.