IFAC’s partnership with Opera Australia has achieved great successes in promoting the Arts and specifically opera, as an accessible medium for all. In 2012, Opera Australia, Dr Haruhisa Handa and Destination NSW, came together to create one of the world’s greatest cultural events; the internationally renowned Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. 

In the 8 years since its inauguration, 330,000 people have attended the truly unique outdoor setting in person and an additional 470,000 have watched the performances on screens across the globe. Through the innovative delivery of Handa Opera thousands of newcomers are experiencing opera for the first time.

IFAC is proud to have supported the Australian Singing Competition since 1998. The IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition is recognised as one of the longest running events of its kind and also one of the richest in terms of financial and career opportunities available to opera and classical singers in Australasia. 

Thousands of young singers from Australia and New Zealand have participated in the competition and have had the benefit of being interviewed and heard by eminent professionals from the Australian and international singing and music fraternity. The competition is now well into its third decade discovering, rewarding and providing career opportunities to emerging Australasian opera and classical singers under the age of 26.