Nineteen of the best young opera singers in the country will be competing in The Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition, presented by The Dallas Opera and The Dallas Opera Guild. The talented performers are competing for thousands of dollars in prize money and prestigious honors including the “People’s Choice” award selected by audience ballot.

In the newly expanded competition, 19 semi-finalists were selected from 362 applicants from 49 states and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. The free spring music event will take place over two days starting with the semi-finals on Saturday, April 18. Six finalists chosen from the first round will then compete in the finals on Sunday, April 19.

The finalists will be accompanied by the full Dallas Opera Orchestra conducted by internationally acclaimed Dallas Opera Music Director Emmanuel Villaume.