Upcoming events
KLCO YOUNG ARTIST SCHOLARSHIP
The KLCO Young Artist Scholarship, supported by Yayasan Lim Yee Hoh, is a professional development initiative dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Malaysian opera artists.
At KL City Opera, we believe discovering talent is only the beginning. Through the Malaysia Opera Competition, we created a platform to identify and celebrate emerging vocal talent. The Young Artist Scholarship takes the next step — providing promising young artists with the training, mentorship, professional experience and opportunities they need to develop their potential.
Selected young artists will receive fully or partially funded scholarships to participate in an intensive programme of artistic and professional development from January to April 2027.
Applications are now open.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are open to Malaysian citizens, including Malaysians currently studying or residing overseas.
Singers
Ages 18–35
Collaborative Pianists
Ages 18–37
We are looking for young artists who demonstrate artistic potential, musicality, commitment, curiosity and a genuine desire to grow.
Applicants do not need to be established professional artists. The scholarship is designed to support emerging artists at an important stage of their development.
What You Can Expect
The KLCO Young Artist Scholarship combines intensive training with individual mentorship and practical performance experience.
Young Artists will have opportunities to work with experienced professional artists, conductors, vocal coaches and collaborative pianists in areas including:
Vocal and musical coaching
Repertoire development and interpretation
Language and diction
Stagecraft and performance
Collaborative musicianship
Audition preparation
Career and professional development
Individual masterclasses and mentorship
Performance opportunities
The programme culminates in the KLCO Young Artist Showcase, providing participants with an opportunity to put their development into practice before a live audience.
Programme Schedule
(1) Foundation Intensive
25–31 January 2027
An intensive period of artistic, musical and professional development, establishing the foundation for each Young Artist's individual development throughout the programme.
(2) Individual Masterclasses & Mentorship
February–March 2027
Each participant will receive individual face-to-face coaching and mentorship, providing focused attention on their artistic and professional development.
(3) Performance Intensive
5–11 April 2027
A second intensive period focusing on performance, interpretation, collaboration and preparation for the Young Artist Showcase.
(4) KLCO Young Artist Showcase
25 April 2027
The programme culminates in a public showcase celebrating the development and achievements of the 2027 Young Artists.
Live Auditions
We believe artists deserve the opportunity to be heard in person.
For this reason, no pre-screening video is required.
Following the application review, shortlisted applicants will be invited to a live audition and interview on 4–5 November 2026.
Applicants will be assessed not only on their current artistic ability, but also on their potential for development, musicality, professionalism, commitment and readiness to learn.
Applicants may indicate their proposed audition repertoire when submitting their application.
Key Dates
Applications Open
18 August 2026
Applications Close
30 September 2026
Live Auditions & Interviews
4–5 November 2026
Scholarship Offers
27 November 2026
Programme
January–April 2027
Young Artist Showcase
25 April 2027
Scholarship Support
Successful applicants will be offered a fully or partially funded KLCO Young Artist Scholarship.
There is no application fee.
Successful applicants will be required to accept the scholarship formally and commit to the programme's attendance, preparation and professional requirements.
The scholarship represents an investment not only in an artist's current abilities, but also in their potential to become part of the next generation of Malaysian opera artists.
Supported by Yayasan Lim Yee Hoh
The KLCO Young Artist Scholarship – Class of 2027 is made possible with the support of Yayasan Lim Yee Hoh.
Their support enables KL City Opera to provide emerging Malaysian artists with access to professional training, mentorship and development opportunities, helping us build a stronger and more sustainable pipeline of opera talent in Malaysia.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you are a young Malaysian singer or collaborative pianist ready to develop your craft, challenge yourself and take the next step in your artistic journey, we would like to hear from you.
Applications close 30 September 2026.
APPLY FOR THE KLCO YOUNG ARTIST SCHOLARSHIP
For enquiries: klcityopera@gmail.com
Turandot
AN OPERA BY GIACOMO PUCCINI
After more than 20 years, Puccini's monumental masterpiece Turandot returns to the Malaysian stage in a spectacular new production by KL City Opera.
Presented with the support of the Embassy of Italy in Kuala Lumpur, and in conjunction with the XXV Week of the Italian Language in the World, this landmark production celebrates the enduring cultural ties between Malaysia and Italy through the universal language of music.
Set in ancient Beijing, Turandot tells the story of the enigmatic Princess Turandot, who vows never to marry unless a suitor can solve her three impossible riddles. When the mysterious Prince Calaf succeeds, he offers the Princess one final challenge—to discover his name before dawn or he will willingly sacrifice his life. As the city searches through the night, courage, compassion and love begin to transform even the coldest of hearts.
Conducted by internationally acclaimed Italian conductor Alessandro Mazzocchetti, with stage direction by Amelia Tan and costumes by Kel Wen of BEHATI, the production features two outstanding principal casts of Malaysian and international artists, accompanied by the KLCO Orchestra & Chorus.
Featuring some of opera's most glorious music, including the celebrated aria "Nessun dorma," Turandot is an unforgettable theatrical experience of breathtaking music, powerful storytelling and spectacular stagecraft.
Performance Details
17, 20, 22 & 24 October 2026 8:00PM; 18, 25 October 2026 4:00PM
Pentas 1, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac)
Performed in Italian with English and Chinese surtitles
Running time: Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes, including one interval.
Tickets available exclusively via CloudJoi.com.
KLCO 2026 Production Fund
In 2026, Kuala Lumpur City Opera (KLCO) is planning to stage two major productions, and we invite you to be part of making them possible through the KLCO 2026 Production Fund.
Early Support Deadline: 31 March 2026. To help us confirm key costs, artist contracts, and competition planning, we kindly ask for donations by this date.
Your generosity helps fund the real costs of producing opera — artists, orchestra, venue, sets, costumes, and the technical team behind the scenes — and helps us fully realise these productions on stage.
Our 2026 KLCO Productions
The Merry Widow — 3, 4, 5 July 2026
Turandot — 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25 October 2026 (save the dates — subject to change)
Why these productions are worth supporting
The Merry Widow — joy, charm, and a perfect “first opera”
One of the most beloved operettas ever written, The Merry Widow sparkles with wit, romance, and unforgettable melodies. It’s a production that welcomes newcomers while delighting long-time opera lovers — a meaningful way to grow audiences and bring more people into the theatre.
Turandot — a grand opera experience
Turandot is a monumental work: dramatic, visually spectacular, and musically unforgettable. It demands scale, artistry, and a strong team — and when it lands, it’s the kind of production people talk about for years. Supporting Turandot means supporting ambition, excellence, and the continued growth of Malaysian opera.
Every Ringgit counts
Opera is expensive to produce, but it’s priceless in what it gives back: artistry, training opportunities for Malaysian singers and musicians, and a cultural legacy we can all be proud of. Whether you give RM100 or RM10,000+, your support directly helps us build these productions responsibly and present them at the standard our audiences deserve.
Individual donation tiers (RM)
RM100 — Friend
RM300 — Supporter
RM500 — Patron
RM1,000 — Benefactor
RM3,000 — Producer’s Circle
RM5,000 — Angel
RM10,000+ — Visionary
Donor acknowledgement
Donor names will be listed as provided (or anonymously upon request) in the program booklet and included in the pre-show credit mention.
How to donate (Bank Transfer)
Bank: Hong Leong Bank
Account Name: KL City Opera PLT
Account No.: 00400178697
After transferring, please email your payment slip to klcityopera@gmail.com
Transfer description/reference: [Your Name] 2026 Production Fund
Benefits are subject to availability; KLCO may offer an equivalent experience if needed.
01.
KL CITY OPERA
Formerly known as ‘Eat, Sing & Travel People’, Kuala Lumpur City Opera (KLCO) was established in 2012 and incorporated on 29 October 2015. Our primary objective is to promote western opera music interests among Malaysians through stage performances and concerts whilst also keeping abreast with the objective in promoting Malaysia’s uniqueness in arts, culture and heritage.
With the aforementioned objectives, our artistic initiatives have culminated in the receipt of 5 BOH Cameronian Kakiseni Arts Award for our productions in L'elisir D'amore” (2014), “Voices & Winds” (2014), “Madama Butterfly” (2018), and “A Grand Night of Opera (2022)”.
Today, KLCO has a roster of over 20 principals singers and a resident chorus of 40 members.
OUR VISION
To be an innovative, inclusive and financially sustainable opera company.
OUR MISSION
To promote an appreciation for western opera and to establish opera as an integral part of the arts and
cultural landscape in Malaysia
To present quality programs consisting of fully staged opera, concert and outreach initiatives while broadening
the scope of activities to encourage and increase participation from communities
Developing emerging talents to nurture and to realize their potential by providing a platform for learning,
experience and growth
OUR VALUES
Organization – manage the company with sound procedures and processes to ensure consistency
and fairness
People – work together as a family based on mutual respect and trust
Excellence - committed to strive for high standards in every facet of our artistic, musical,
production and administration output
Relationship – continuously build long-term and mutually beneficial partnerships
Ambassador – be a champion of the opera art form in our communities to encourage participation and enjoyment