Tessa McQueen wins Second Prize and Birgit Nilsson Prize at Operalia

Soprano Tessa McQueen has won Second Prize and Birgit Nilsson Prize at the 2026 Operalia Competition which took place took place October 26-November 1 in Shanghai. The World Opera Competition was presented by Rolex and hosted by the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the Shangyin Opera House. For her the first round Tessa sang “Dich, teure Halle” from Tannhäuser and “Vissi d’arte” from Tosca and “Ain’t It a Pretty Night” from Susannah in the semifinal round. For the finals she revisited “Vissi d’arte” in a stunning performance that wowed the judges and the crowd. Congratulations to all of the winners and participants of this grand operatic tradition.