From 8 to 12 April, 2025

Since its creation in 1985 by french tenor Bernard Plantey (1925-1997), Clermont-Ferrand International Opera Singing Competition has established itself as a must-see event in the lyric landscape and its reputation has spread far beyond borders and its beneficiaries most often enjoy great careers. It takes place at Clermont-Ferrand Opera-Theatre, whose acoustics are a real showcase for voices, with all events, from the first round to the final that take place in public.

The hallmark of this Competition – in addition to spotting out young talents every two years, is to offer prizes and rewards in the form of professional contracts. On average, more than 500 singers of various nationalities take their chances for those very demanding professional auditions.

Thus, at each edition, the Competition welcomes artists from all over the world who meet in Clermont-Ferrand to be listened to by professional lyric singers whose expertise allows the discovery of young talents.

The 28th edition of Clermont-Ferrand International Opera Singing Competition will feature Purcell’s only opera, Dido and Æneas, with support from the baroque ensemble Les Surprises, Handel’s most famous oratorio, Der Messias, adapted into German by Mozart, a new production by Limoges Opera, and a Piano – Vocal Duo based on lieder and French melodies, whose performers will get, in particular, a residency at the Royaumont Foundation.

This edition will see a close collaboration between the already existing partnerships of the Clermont Auvergne Opera and various other lyric institutions throughout France. The jury will be presided by a leading figure in the world of opera, mezzo-soprano Karine Deshayes.

This 28th edition will see the partnerships of Clermont Auvergne Opera expand with new links forged with the Royaumont Foundation, Limoges Opera and the ensemble Les Surprises, present this season in Clermont-Ferrand in the season Clermont Auvergne Opéra with Medea and Jason. We will have the pleasure to welcome, as an honorary jury, a leading figure of the world of opera, Victoire de la musique classique 2020, the mezzo-soprano Karine Deshayes.

→ Some winners from previous editions: Elsa Dreisig, Julia Muzychenko, Chrystelle di Marco, Solen Mainguené, Olga Syniakova, Francesca Pia Vitale, Ania Wosniak, Mary Elizabeth Williams, Maria Grazia Schiavo, Florian Laconi, Armando Noguera, Cyril Auvity, Anna Kasyan, Julien Dran, Cyrille Dubois, Jiwon Song…