Northwest singers win Met tryout

Two young singers — soprano Simone Osborne and tenor Brendan Tuohy — won Sunday's Metropolitan Opera National Council Northwest Regional Auditions, held in Meany Theater on the University of Washington campus.

Osborne, of Vancouver, B.C., and Tuohy, of Beaverton, Ore., tied for first place, each receiving $8,000 and advancing to the Met semifinals in New York City on Feb. 17.

Baritone Michael Anthony McGee won third prize and $4,000. Encouragement awards of $1,000 each went to tenor Bray Wilkins (Moscow, Idaho), mezzo-soprano Margaret Gawrysiak (Seattle) and baritone David Lara (Seattle).

The judges were Michael Eliasen (of the Metropolitan Opera), with Doris Yarick-Cross and Mark Morash; Julian Patrick was master of ceremonies, and David McDade the piano accompanist.

For further information on the MONC Northwest Programs, visit www.nwauditions.com.

Melinda Bargreen: mbargreen@seattletimes.com