Classical Music News

The Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition Names 2025 Winners

March 17, 2025

2 MIN READ

Sopranos Alissa Goretsky and Emma Marhefka, mezzo-sopranos Sadie Cheslak and Michelle Mariposa, and baritone Luke Sutliff were this year's prize-winners

Five vocalists have been named as the winners of The Metropolitan Opera's Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition for 2025. Having progressed through a number of rounds at the district, regional, and national levels, each singer will receive a cash prize of $20,000, as well as exposure and networking opportunities.

The winners are as follows:

Sadie Cheslak, 30, mezzo-soprano (Central Region; Duluth, Minnesota); The American-Scandinavian Foundation Birgit Nilsson Award
Alissa Goretsky, 25, soprano (Midwest Region; Los Angeles, California); Fernand Lamesch Award
Emma Marhefka, 25, soprano (Rocky Mountain Region; Allentown, Pennsylvania); Patricia Misslin Award
Michelle Mariposa, 30, mezzo-soprano (Middle Atlantic Region; Quezon City, Philippines); Faith P. Geier Award
Luke Sutliff, 28, baritone (Gulf Coast Region; Denver, Colorado); Dominique Laffont Award

The nine finalists performed in the Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Grand Finals Concert, hosted by 2007 competition winner mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, with soprano Janai Brugger, a 2012 winner, joining as guest artist. The singers each performed two arias on the Met stage, accompanied by the Met Orchestra and conducted by Maestro Karen Kamensek.

In addition, the four singers who performed in the final but were not named winners will receive a cash prize of $10,000. They are:

Angel Raii Gomez, 26, tenor (Middle Atlantic Region; McAllen, Texas); Pamela and William Craven Award
Samuel Kidd, 29, baritone (Western Region; Ann Arbor, Michigan); Margaret M. Dyson Award
Abigail Raiford, 30, soprano (Eastern Region; Tulsa, Oklahoma); Ellie Caulkins Award
Lauren Randolph, 24, mezzo-soprano (Eastern Region; Chicago, Illinois); Judith Raskin Award

Founded in 1954, the Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition has played a role in launching the careers of many prominent singers. The competition has been crucial in introducing many of today’s best-known opera stars, including Renée Fleming, Susan Graham, Eric Owens, and Stephanie Blythe.