Queen Sonja Singing Competition 2025

Kathleen O’Mara

soprano, USA

First Prize winner

Kathleen O’Mara won 1st prize (€50,000) in the Queen Sonja Singing Competition 2025. The American soprano also received a diploma with an artwork by Her Majesty Queen Sonja, who presented the prizes at the final concert in the Oslo Concert Hall.

Since winning the competition, she has appeared on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York and Teatro alla Scala in Milan.

In August 2026 she returned to Oslo for two concerts: a recital with pianist Olesya Tutova in the Royal Palace Chapel at the Oslo Chamber Music Festival, and the Oslo Philharmonic’s open-air concert at the Palace Square.

It is always a great source of pride to see our prize winners succeed internationally, but there is something truly special about welcoming them back to Norway and to audiences here.
Lars Flæten, Director of the Queen Sonja Singing Competition