The Voice of Black Opera Competition, organised by Black British Classical Foundation in collaboration with Welsh National Opera, is set to showcase the finest Black and South Asian singers as they launch international operatic careers.

As well as the competition being hosted in Birmingham, the city's spirit is captured further, as each finalist will be fitted with a bespoke fashion item, designed by students of Birmingham City University ( BCU) School of Fashion & Textiles, to wear at the Grand Final.

Bespoke jewellery will also be made for the singers by students of the BCU Birmingham School of Jewellery, as well as performances with Birmingham Contemporary Music Group.

The 12 singers who have been selected from around the world have been announced and will be in Birmingham this month for intensive preparations for The Voice of Black Opera (VOBO) Semifinals on 24 and 25 November. Tickets can be bought here. Each will be vying for the chance to be one of the five who will progress to the competition Grand Final at Birmingham Town Hall on Monday 5 December. Tickets can be bought here.

The first Voice of Black Opera competition was held in 2008 and helped launch the careers of winners Elizabeth Llewellyn, Peter Braithwaite, and Nadine Benjamin. From this year the relaunched competition will be held biannually, and should become a much-anticipated highlight of the international cultural calendar.