FWO
There’s something magical about the intersection of raw talent and opportunity. On March 23, that magic will unfold at the Kimbell Art Museum as the Fort Worth Opera presents the 20th Biennial Marguerite McCammon Voice Competition. For those lucky enough to snag tickets, it’s an afternoon of high drama, soaring arias, and a look at tomorrow’s opera stars.
At 2 p.m., ten rising opera stars, handpicked from nearly 300 global hopefuls, will take center stage, competing not just for a $15,000 prize pool but for their shot at an operatic future. It’s a scene that feels more like a high-stakes reality competition than a traditional recital — think “American Idol” meets the Met, but with an audience that gets to play a part in deciding the winner.
Angela Turner Wilson, Fort Worth Opera’s general & artistic director, paints it best: “It’s high-stakes, high-drama, and high artistry — all in one thrilling afternoon.”
Attendees will hear top-tier vocals that can stop your heart, knowing that some of these voices will go on to light up stages across the globe.
But how did this event, this biennial celebration of emerging talent, come to be? The McCammon competition traces its roots back to 1985, when Marguerite “Mimi” McCammon, an ardent supporter of the opera, made a generous $30,000 donation to establish a competition that would help aspiring young singers make a name for themselves. Originally open only to Texans, the competition has evolved into an international phenomenon, providing a springboard for future stars. Past winners like Grammy-winning baritone Richard Paul Fink and soprano Marjorie Owens have gone on to achieve major success, and now, the stage is set for a new generation to rise.
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill opera contest. Each contestant, all 21 and older and unrepresented by professional management, must submit a list of four arias that showcase not just vocal prowess but a mastery of languages ranging from Italian to Russian. When they hit the stage, the stakes are raised: the audience will witness a first aria of their choosing and a second one chosen by the judges.
The panel itself brings the weight of decades of industry expertise. Turner Wilson will join esteemed figures like Chandler Johnson of Santa Fe Opera, Vanessa Uzan of UIA Talent Agency, and Miguel Harth-Bedoya of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. But the real twist? The audience gets to vote for the Audience Favorite Award. You’re not just watching; you’re participating in a legacy that spans nearly 40 years.
The competition is more than a showcase; it’s a moment of reflection on how far these young voices can go. When you attend, you’re not just watching performances — you’re witnessing the birth of careers that will shape the future of opera. This event is a fusion of art and community, where talent meets its moment, and the audience has the privilege to cheer it on.
And when the dust settles and the winners are announced, the celebration continues with a post-awards reception. You’ll get the chance to meet the talented performers up close in the intimate, acoustically rich environment of the Kimbell Art Museum theater. It’s an experience that feels personal, like you’re part of something bigger than just a show — you're part of the journey these singers are embarking on.
For Nancy Menking, granddaughter of the competition's founder, it’s all about the joy of discovery. “I love to get the program and get my pencil out,” she said. “I pick 1, 2 and 3 — but I'm always off on the winner. I do usually get the Audience Favorite right! I guess that goes to show how much great talent there is in this competition. It's very impressive.”
This wide range of exceptional voices is what makes the McCammon such an unpredictable and exhilarating event.
“The McCammon is a launching pad for the next generation of opera stars,” Turner Wilson says. “Each finalist on that stage could be standing on the brink of a major career. When you come out and support them, you’re getting an afternoon of spectacular voices singing world-famous arias — but it’s deeper than that. You’re also helping to shape the future of opera.”
For more information on the competition and to secure your tickets, visit fwopera.org.
