Die Kraft der Musik

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini ́s passing on November 29, 2024, the Susanne-Scholten-Foundation and the Erato Akademie für Musik und Sprache Rhein Ruhr e. V. cordially invite young singers to participate in the Giacomo Puccini Opera Competition. 

This event, celebrating Puccini ́s extraordinary musical legacy, will take place in Duisburg ́s Marienkirche and is combined with a three-day public Masterclass led by the two renowned opera singers and singing teachers Prof. Krisztina Laki and Alexandra von der Weth.

Prizes:  
One Grand Prize:   2.000 Euro
Three Sponsorship Prizes: 1.000 Euro each 

Dates:  Masterclass January 7-9, 2025 (daily from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with breaks and catering over lunch).  The competition concludes with the Prizewinner Concert on January 10 at 7:30, where participants showcase their talent. 

Venue:  Marienkirche Duisburg, Josef-Kiefer-Str. 10   

Structure of the Event:  

Masterclass and competition:  The Competition is combined with the Masterclass. There is no extra audition. Selected participants of the video pre-round will receive individual coaching (50 minutes per day) on their selected arias. 
That means participation in the Masterclass is automatically participation in the competition.  The sessions will be led alternately by Prof. Krisztina Laki, an internationally renowned opera singer and pedagogue and Alexandra von der Weth, an international opera singer, voice teacher and Deputy Chairwoman of Erato, Akademie für Musk und Sprache Rhein - Ruhr e. V.  The opera-experienced conductor Roland Techet will provide supportive accompaniment on the piano.

Coaching assignments will be decided by the faculty team.  The masterclass is public and offers feedback sessions in front of an audience. Representatatives from opera house studios and opera agencies will also be invited to attend. 

Jury:  The Jury is made up of distinguished opera singers, including Prof. Krisztina Laki, Ivana Rusko, Soloist at the Opera Cologne and Alexandra von der Weth

Fairness Clause: The jurors will abstain from judgement if their own students participate.   

Application Process: 

Eligibility: Prospective opera singers from all over the world up to 35 years of age, who are still studying for a Bachelors or Masters degree or opera singers who are already in professional life 

Repertoire Requirements (Video Submission):
Three arias:
One aria by W. A. Mozart, which may also be written in German. 
One aria from the Bel Canto repertoire, for instance Gaetano Donizetti, Gioaccino Rossini, Vincenzo Bellini, early Giuseppe Verdi, etc.
One aria by Giacomo Puccini or another composer of the Verismo period, for instance Umberto Giordano, Pietro Mascagni, Ruggero Leoncavallo, Francisco Cilea, Alfredo Catalani etc. 

The same three arias will be coached during the Masterclass. 

Selection Process: Participants for the Masterclass and the competition will be chosen through a preliminary video round. Submit a video (maximum 2 GB, via WETransfer) with the required repertoire to [email protected] by December 27, 2024. 

Fees:  Total fee for active participation: Euro 89
Euro 35 registration fee (due by December 27, 2024)
Euro 54 balance (due by January 5, 2025) only for admitted participants  Accommodation and traveling expenses are not included in the fees. We cannot reimburse you for traveling expenses. Please pay to the account: Susanne-Scholten-Foundation, IBAN: DE66 3602 0030 0005 3693 55 www.susanne-scholten-foundation.de  

Important Deadlines:  Application (video submission and registration fee payment): Euro 35 by December 27, 2024 
Final payment for selected participants: Euro 54  by January 5, 2025 Selected participants will be notified and contacted by December 29, 2024.   

Why join us?  
This event provides a unique combination of competition, professional development and public exposure. For further information contact us at [email protected] or on our telephone number 0049-179 6187410. We are happy to help you.