The annual MET Opera district auditions return to Libby Gardner Concert Hall on the University of Utah campus on Jan. 7. But unlike past auditions, there will only be one round this year. The auditions take place from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2 p.m.-5 p.m. While the judges meet to decide who goes on to the next round in Denver the audience is invited to remain in the hall and watch highlights from the documentary The Audition. Winners will be announced at 6:30 p.m. The auditions are free and open to the public.

Carol Vaness

The judges this year are renowned soprano Carol Vaness, who was in Utah in November performing in Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem with the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra under Craig Jessop; Richard Buckley, artistic director of the Austin Lyric Opera who has also conducted productions at Utah Opera; and William Florescu, general director of the Florentine Opera Company.

Walter Rudolph from Classical 89 will be this year’s emcee.

Donors who give at the sponsor membership level or above are invited to join the judges and singers at the Celebrating Opera’s Future Stars Gala Dinner at 7 p.m. in the University of Utah Alumni House.

For more information log on to www.utahdistrictauditions.org.