(FORMERLY THE METROPOLITAN OPERA NATIONAL COUNCIL – MONC)

For close to 70 years (including during the Covid years), auditioning in this important competition – sitting under the umbrella of the Metropolitan Opera, and fueled by dedicated volunteers from across the United States, Canada and Mexico – has been a pivotal step in the careers of SO many lauded singers.

Known fondly as the Metropolitan Opera National Council (MONC) or simply the Met Auditions, auditions have been held annually – with initial rounds in Districts (including Los Angeles, San Deigo and San Francisco) and Regions (including the Western Region), each providing an opportunity for talented singers to compete and win monetary awards. Singers in the Met Auditions benefit also from one-on-one post-audition feedback discussions with renowned judges from across the US and the international opera ecosystem.

In early 2019, it was announced that the Met had received a generous gift from Philippe and Thomas Laffont in honor of their parents, Eric and Dominique. The two sons wanted to honor their parents’ long-held dedication to young singers. So, in recognition, the MONC was renamed The Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition and the Grand Finals Concert (held annually in New York as the very public conclusion of the annual competition) was renamed The Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Grand Finals Concert. 

Singers competing in the Western Region are supported first by the local volunteer administrators of the Region’s three Districts – and those who are successful in those District rounds progress to the Western Region round in Los Angeles. Regional winner/s move on to the National Semi-Finals in New York – auditioning on the Met stage with piano accompaniment before members of the Met’s Artistic Staff. Those who are selected as National Finalists remain in residence at The Met for several more days and coach with the Music Staff in preparation for the public Grand Finals Concert – on the Met stage, this time with full orchestra. All travel, housing and per diem expenses for participants in New York are paid for and arranged by the Laffont Competition staff who are based at the Met – and at every level of the competition, financial prizes are awarded to singers (funded by donors at local and national program levels) and they receive the individual feedback from judges.

Many of the world’s foremost singers have received acknowledgement and financial awards from this competition – including several from the Western Region. In keeping with its Metropolitan Opera National Council heritage, the Laffont Competition District and Regional auditions are administered solely by volunteers.  Furthermore, typically 100+ former auditioners (and not all of them National winners) appear on the Met roster and in Met Opera productions each and every year, as well as on stages across the globe.