Malvina and Denise Menda scholarships for young opera singers

With funds from a generous bequest, the Opéra-Comique and the Fondation de France have been awarding 9 500€ scholarships to five talented young vocal soloists every year since 2020. The scheme will go on for about fifteen years.

en

The awarding of scholarships is based on both social criteria and artistic excellence. The Opéra-Comique can thus go further in its support to young talents and promote equal opportunities.

One to two scholarships is/are awarded to students in the third cycle of the Opéra-Comique’s Maîtrise Populaire. As they benefit from long-term guidance, Maîtrise’ students who reveal great artistic talents, will be further nurtured in their career and professional insertion by the Opéra-Comique.

The other scholarships will be awarded to young singers in the early stages of their career.

2025 Edition: The Menda scholarships for young operatic singers

Auditions for the "Malvina and Denise Menda" Scholarships 2025-2026 are now open, until 22 October 2025.

Apply (in french)

  • Application deadline: 22 October 2025 at midnight.
  • The audition will be held on Wednesday 5 November at the Théâtre National de l'Opéra-Comique (with a rehearsal earlier in the day).
  • The results of the scholarships will be announced no later than 15 November 2025.
  • A scholarship award concert will be held in 2026, the date of which will be announced in December 2025.

The previous editions

The four winners of the "Young Soloists" category 2024

Anna Hattermann
Soprano
Read more
Tenor
Mejamandresy Rakotonirina
Soprano
Franciana Nogues
Soprano
Livia Louis-Joseph-Dogué
Read more

The three winners of the "Young Soloist" category 2023

Soprano
Floriane Derthe
Read more
Mezzo-soprano
Juliette Gauthier
Read more
Margaux Loire

The two winners of the "Maîtrise Students" category 2023

Camille Flament
Soprano
Judith Gasnier
Read more

Our two “pupil” laureates 2022

Soprano
Rachel Masclet
Soprano
Judith Gasnier

Our three “young soloist” laureates 2022

Soprano
Amélie Tatti
Soprano
Lysa Menu
Baritone
Halidou Nombre

Our two “pupil” laureates 2021

Soprano
Justine Chauzy Le Joly
Read more
Soprano
Violette Clapeyron

Our three “young soloist” laureates 2021

Baryton
Yoann Dubruque
Read more
Soprano
Margot Genet
Soprano
Apolline Raï-Westphal