Opera for Peace Academy – Lugano 2026
20th January 2026OPERA FOR PEACE ACADEMY – LUGANO 2026
5th Anniversary Edition
In collaboration with LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura
Dates: 4–12 September 2026
Location: Lugano, Switzerland
APPLY HERE:
https://auditionoracle.com/opera_for_peace/opera_for_peace_academy_luga/lj/
For any queries contact:
alluna@operaforpeace.org
Opera for Peace is delighted to announce the 5th edition of the Opera for Peace Academy, hosted for the first time in Lugano in collaboration with LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, one of Switzerland’s leading interdisciplinary arts institutions.
This milestone edition celebrates five years of Opera for Peace Academies worldwide, and reaffirms the Academy’s role as an international platform dedicated to artistic excellence, leadership, and cultural engagement.
The Opera for Peace Academy – Lugano 2026 will welcome nine emerging opera singers from around the world, all participating on a full-scholarship basis. More than an intensive training program, the Academy represents the first step into the Opera for Peace international family network, a long-term artistic and human community committed to mentorship, connection, and global dialogue.
Academy Offerings
Participants will benefit from:
● Full scholarships, including tuition, travel, visas costs, and accommodation
● Masterclasses and individual coachings led by Opera for Peace Ambassadors,
Advisors, and team members, as well as special guests
● “Citizen Artist” workshops, focusing on artistic identity, leadership, social responsibility
& entrepreneurship, and the role of artists in today’s society
● Opportunities for cultural exchange and professional development within an
international environment
The Academy will culminate in a public final concert with the Orchestra della Svizzera italiana, conducted by Kamal Khan, Opera for Peace Artistic and Musical Director.
Artist Selection Process & Criteria
Eligibility
● No application fee
● No age limit
● Open to emerging artists (singers) in the early stages of their professional careers
● Applicants should demonstrate:
– Vocal and musical excellence
– A strong artistic identity
– Personal commitment to cultural leadership
– A clear desire to engage as Citizen Artists
Application Requirements
● Biography / CV
● List of repertoire
● Cover letter or introductory video
● Three (3) video or audio performance links
● A minimum of two (2) professional references
(teacher, program administrator, coach, etc.)
Selection Timeline
● Application deadline: Friday, February 20th 2026
● Shortlisted interviews and invited auditions: 22nd-26th February 2026
● Final decision: 1st March 2026
Selection Committee
Applications will be reviewed by a committee composed of Opera for Peace team members, Academy partners,and industry experts.
Artists will be selected based on:
● Vocal quality and musicianship
● Artistic identity and potential
● Alignment with the values and mission of Opera for Peace and LAC Lugano Arte et
Cultura
Opera for Peace – Leading Voices of the World is an award-winning international non-profit organization that supports exceptional young opera singers from six continents, many from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds. Through high-level training, mentorship, and global opportunities, Opera for Peace empowers artists to become not only world-class performers, but also role models, mentors, and leaders shaping the future of opera and the arts worldwide.
The 5th Opera for Peace Academy in Lugano is made possible thanks to the valued support of its main sponsor, Fondation BNP Paribas, whose long-standing commitment to culture, transmission, and inclusion closely aligns with the Academy’s mission.
LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, is a major European cultural institution whose mission is to transform the city through the arts, contribute to the well-being of its communities, and firmly position Lugano within the international cultural landscape. As an interdisciplinary center for research, creation, and collaboration, LAC provides an ideal setting for an Academy that views artistic practice as both a creative and civic act, fostering critical thinking and open societies through cultural participation.
