Wednesday, May 6, 2026*
6:00 p.m.
The Harmonie Club
4 East 60th St, New York, NY 10022
Honoring
 Michael Ching,  composer
 Fabrizio Melano, stage director
Carol Vaness, soprano
Hosted by Sherrill Milnes & Maria Zouves
Dr. Garry & Susan Spector, Gala chairs

 

Special guests, performers & presenters include
Angel Blue, David Friedman, James Morris, Heather Randall, Susan Quittmeyer, George Shirley, Diana Soviero, Neil Shicoff, & distinguished alumni of VOICE

 

6:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception
7:00 p.m. Dinner
8:00 p.m. Award Ceremony & Performances

The VOICE Gala celebrates the legacy of our art form. It recognizes and pays homage to the tireless work from the great artists, educators, producers and presenters of VOICE. This fund raiser, which allows net proceeds to go to artists scholarships of the season, is a very important and meaningful way to ensure the next generation of artists and art lovers alike thrive.

This annual event is a VOICE family gathering — a time of reunion, sharing, and partaking in joy. We hope you will join us in making this memory.

*Please note corrected date from past advertisments

Request a mailed invitation
Download the Invitation and RSVP Card

Past Awardees

2024 – Deborah Voigt, soprano
2023 – George Shirley, tenor
2022 – Frederica von Stade, mezzo-soprano
2021 – Thomas Hampson, baritone
2019 – Martina Arroyo, soprano
2018 – Denyce Graves, mezzo-soprano
2017 – Neil Shicoff, tenor
2016 – James Morris, bass-baritone
2015 – Carlisle Floyd, composer
2014 – Mignon Dunn, mezzo-soprano
2013 – Diana Soviero, soprano

2026 VOICE Gala Ticket Levels

Bernstein Access $650

  • 1 guest ticket to the 2026 VOICE Gala
  • Access to “A Conversation with…”  on Tuesday, May 5

Puccini Sponsor $2,000 (Individual, 1 gala ticket)
Puccini Sponsor $3,500 (Individual plus guest, 2 gala tickets)

  • The above, plus program listing & exclusive access to attend the Milnes VOICE Scholarship Competition, Thursday, May 7**

Verdi Scholarship Sponsor $5,000 (Individual, 1 gala ticket)
Verdi Scholarship Sponsor $6,500 (Individual plus guest, 2 gala tickets)

  • This ticket gives a scholarship to a young artist to attend the 2026 Milnes VOICE Studio, plus access for a Studio Artist to attend the VOICE Gala. Benefits include all of the above, plus an artist seated near you.

**Formerly Opera Idol, takes place at the National Opera Center. Sponsored in part by the Tom Lysaught Scholarship Award. 

All but $350 per person attending is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Rossini Table $15,000 (table of 8)

  • All of the above, plus a premium table for you an 7 of your guests at the 2026 VOICE Gala

Legacy Sponsor Table $25,000

  • All of the above, plus a seat for one of our legendary guests at your table 
RSVP and Purchase Online

Artist Scholarship $4,000

  • Support the study of the operatic art form by providing a scholarship to help an artist attend the Milnes VOICE Studio summer program in August. Your name will be listed in our summer program book as a scholarship donor. 

Artist Ticket $350

  • Sponsor the attendance of a Milnes Studio Artist at the 2026 VOICE Gala. 
Make a donation

2026 New York Events

A Conversation with…the 2026 Milnes VOICE Awardees

Tuesday, May 5 at 6:00 P.M.
Hosted by Maria Zouves
Michael Ching, Fabrizio Melano, and Carol Vaness join Maria in a 60 minute Q&A about their prestigious careers, perspectives on the art form; answering questions curated from around the globe.

2026 VOICE Gala

Wednesday, May 6 at 6:00 P.M.
The Harmonie Club | 2 East 60th Street, New York, NY

Milnes VOICE Scholarship Competition

Thursday, May 7 at 6:00 P.M.
A Master Class with Sherrill Milnes (formerly Opera Idol)
Sponsored in part by The Tom Lysaught Scholarship Fund
Singers work with Milnes in front of a live audience to compete for a full scholarship to attend the 2026 Milnes VOICE Studio as part of the Savannah VOICE Festival in August.

VOICE @ Don’t Tell Mama

Saturday, May 9 at 4:00 P.M.
Don’t Tell Mama | 343 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
VE & SVF alumni gather for a concert in an intimate and iconic cabaret venue to celebrate the legacy of opera, musical theatre and song. Maria Zouves hosts this one-of-a-kind event!