THIRD ANNUAL OPERA COMPETITION & FESTIVAL

Armel Productions, in collaboration with the Szeged Open Air Festival, the Pannon Philharmonic and Mezzo Television, has established a new opera competition in Hungary.

Singers of all ages are invited to compete before a jury in a three-round competition, which culminates in a final round of 5 full productions.

The final round is a two-week festival, awarding the best all-around performer. The winner will not only be recognized for his or her outstanding vocal capabilities, but also for adeptness in stage movement and acting of the highest standard.

Each applicant will be considered for a live audition in one of five first-round locations.

First round:

From the preliminary auditions, the jury in each of the locations will cast all the leading roles of the five different productions exclusively based on vocal capabilities and musicality.

First round audition procedures:

• You can find the application form for the following cities by clicking on one of the links below:

           Budapest:       application form       application form       

         Moscow:         application form       application form 

           Paris:              application form       application form          

           New York:        application form       application form 

           Bergen:           application form       application form              

• Read, sign and submit the agreement to the competition rules and procedure.

• Present two (2) contrasting operatic arias in the original language, one of the 2 arias has to be from a contemporary piece. (Written after 1940 OR by a living composer)

• The two arias must not exceed 15 minutes total.

• An accompanist will be provided; competitors may choose to bring their own accompanist, please indicate this on the registration form.

• Competitors and invited accompanists are responsible for all travel and accommodation expenses in the first round.

Application deadlines vary; please see the chart below for more information on locations, audition schedules, applications and fees. 

Please note that, with the exception of Dicapo Opera in NYC and the Opera of Bergen in Norway, the first round of auditions are NOT held at the theatres whose productions are being cast for the competition. The first chart lists the audition sites, and the second chart lists the opera companies which are casting their productions for performance in the competition and in their own houses. Please read both charts carefully.

AUDITION SCHEDULE & LOCATIONS *Different from theatres participating in the competition.

Second round:

Location: Korzó Music Hall, Reök Palace (Szeged, Hungary)

Date: May 14-16, 2010

Through a series of acting, movement and stagecraft exercises, the five stage directors of the respective productions – supported by the representatives (directors, music directors, artistic directors) of the partner opera houses -  will choose performers for the finals based upon dramatic capabilities. These competitors will become the lead performers in the five competing productions.

• Present three (3) arias (different from the arias sung in the first round), one of which must be a selection from the role assigned by the jury upon entering the second round.  

• Musical scores of the assigned arias will be available for download on the website

• The competition’s official accompanist will play for all competitors in the second round. Rehearsals can be scheduled upon request.

Hotel accomodation for the duration of the second round for competitor is provided by Opera Competition.

  Travel allowances provided by Opera Competition:

         - An allowance of 550 USD (maximum) for competitors coming from outside Europe.

         - An allowance of 150 EURO (maximum) for competitors coming from outside Hungary.

           Travel allowances are paid after reciept is given to Opera Competition.

Final Round:

Date of the Opera Festival (finals): November 3-17, 2010

Location: Szeged National Theatre (Hungary)

Those competitors who advance to the finals will be cast in one of the competing roles in the following five opera houses: 

• Competitors who advance to the finals will receive a contract for one of the five productions. They will participate in a full rehearsal period and in the performances, which will take place before the finals.
• Each competitor will receive travel and lodging accommodations as well as a stipend for their work during rehearsals and performances.
• The productions, after they have opened in the partner opera houses, will all be performed at the Festival hosted by the Szeged National Theatre in November 2010.
• Based upon performance in the final productions, an international jury will award the best male and female artists.

• The performers will be judged on their final performances by an international jury and awarded prizes as follows:

        Best Female Performer: 10,000 Euros

        Best Male Performer: 10,000 Euros

Last year's Festival winners cannot participate in this year's Competition.