These are the results of Concurso San Miguel XVII, held on February 28, 2026 at the Ángela Peralta Theater in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato.

More than 15 awards were offered to 9 finalists, with monetary prizes—from $10,000 pesos to $50,000 pesos—, as well as several scholarships for three international summer workshops; direct pass to participate in the semifinal stages of two major competitions (one national and one foreign); awards for auditioning and singing abroad; prizes for vocal development and classes with outstanding teachers; and scholarships for contractual legal advice as independent artists.

Before the final gala, the finalists participated in an intensive week of lectures and presentations, masterclasses, rehearsals and career advice sessions.

CASH PRIZES

•  The “Maestro John Bills” First prize, $50,000 pesos: Rosa Ferreiro
•  The “Amistad Canada” Second prize, $40,000 pesos: Yunuen Flores
•  The “Angels of OSM” Third prize, $30,000 pesos: Alberto Galicia
•  The “Xavier Torresarpi-Pro Opera Audience Prize”, $20,000 pesos: Kathia Romero
•  Encouragement Grants, $10,000 pesos each, to special guests: Vanessa Gama, José Luis Gutiérrez and Marian Zamorano

FULL SCHOLARSHIPS

•  The Banff Arts Centre Award: a full scholarship to attend the Banff Arts Centre opera program in Canada in the summer of 2026: Alberto Galicia
•  The Highlands Opera Studio Award: a full scholarship to attend the HOS in Highlands, Ontario, Canada for five weeks in the summer of 2026: Noé Moreno
•  The Steans Music Institute Award a four-week full fellowship at the Ravinia Festival in the state of Illinois for its 2027 summer festival: Yunuen Flores
•  The Escena 77 Producciones Award: an invitation to sing a role in an opera production for season 2027-2028: Kinary Zúñiga

SPECIAL AWARDS

•  The Iván López Reynoso Award: three sessions with the maestro on how to build an opera character: Kathia Romero
•  The Grupo Árinder Award: one year of contractual legal advice for all the singers participating in Concurso 2025: to all the finalists and special guests.

COMPETITION AWARDS

•  The 2026 Carlo Morelli Competition Award: direct pass to the semi-final stage of the 43nd anniversary of the Carlo Morelli National Singing Contest in Mexico City, in the summer of 2026: Kinary Zúñiga.
•  The 2026 Concurso Maria Callas Award: direct pass to the semi-final stage of the Maria Callas Singing Competition in São Paulo, Brazil, in the spring of 2027 (to the winners of the 1st and 2nd prizes in Concurso 2026): Rosa Ferreiro and Yunuen Flores

THE JUDGES AWARDS

•  The “Alain Nonat” Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques Award: a week in the autumn in Montreal to sing in a concert and audition for several international opera directors, and performance opportunities. Sponsored by Vanessa Nonat: Misael Corralejo
•  The Meiningen Award: One-week in the autumn of 2026 in Germany, for vocal lessons, rehearsals and participation in a concert at Wartburg Castle in Eisenach. Sponsored by Jens Neundorff von Enzberg: Lía Esparza, Noé Moreno y Kathia Romero.
•  The Wendy Nielsen Award: six singing lessons for vocal development: Jimena Montserrat y Kinary Zúñiga.
•  The Cori Ellison Award: six coaching sessions on mezzo repertoire for: Rosa Ferreiro

JUDGES

•  Wendy Nielsen, professor of voice, University of Toronto, head vocal consultant for the Canadian Opera Company ensemble studio, and Concurso San Miguel XVII master-teacher
•  Cori Ellison, vocal department, Juilliard School, New York, United States
•  Jens Neundorff von Enzberg, intendant, Meiningen State Theater, Germany

ARTISTIC TEAM

•  Mario Alberto Hernández, pianist
•  Charles Oppenheim, artistic director, Opera de San Miguel