The 29th edition of the Clermont-Ferrand International Opera Competition, from 20 to 24 April 2027, will highlight André Messager’s musical comedy L’Amour masqué, produced by Les Frivolités Parisiennes and directed by Sol Espeche; Étienne Méhul’s opéra-comique Ariodant, with the Orchestre Concordances conducted by Martin Wåhlberg; and a Piano–Voice Duo featuring lieder by Franz Schubert, which will benefit from two recitals and a residency at the Château de Parentignat.
L’Amour masqué
Musical comedy in three acts – Premiered at the Théâtre Édouard‑VII, Paris, in 1923
Staged version – Sung in French
Score published by Éditions Francis Salabert
Musique André Messager
Livret Sacha Guitry
Mise en scène Sol Espeche
Orchestre Les Frivolité Parisiennes
Cast
Elle – Mezzo-soprano / Soprano
1ère et 2ème Servantes – Soprano
L’Interprète – Tenor
Le Baron – Baritone
Le Maharadjah – Tenor
Rehearsals
Paris region : 2 weeks in December 2027
Clermont-Ferrand – From 3 to 14 January 2028
Performances 2027-2028
– Opéra-Théâtre de Clermont-Ferrand : 15 and 16 January 2028
– Opéra de Reims : 22 and 23 January 2028
– 6- 8 dates in Paris : February 2028 (to be confirmed)
Production by Les Frivolités Parisiennes in coproduction with Clermont Auvergne Opéra
Ariodant
Opéra-comique in three acts – Premiered at the Théâtre Favart / Opéra-Comique, Paris, in 1799
Concert version – Sung in French
Accompaniment on period piano during the Competition – Pitch A = 430 Hz
Music Étienne-Nicolas Méhul
Libretto François-Benoît Hoffmann
After Ludovico Ariosto’s Orlando furioso
Musical direction Martin Wåhlberg
Orchestra Concordances
Cast
Ariodant – Tenor
Ina – Mezzo or dramatic soprano
Dalinde – Lyric soprano
Lurcain – Baritone / Bass-baritone
Othon – Tenor
Le Barde – Light tenor / Haute-contre
Edgar – Baritenor
Rehearsals
Clermont-Ferrand : 6 days in May 2028
Performances
– Opéra-Théâtre de Clermont-Ferrand – May 2028
1 performance (concert version)
– Barokkfest Early Music Festival (Trondheim – Norway) – June 2028
1 performance (concert version)
Recording
CD recording of the production in Clermont-Ferrand
Production by Orchestre Concordances
Piano Voice Duo
Following the success of its first introduction at the 2025 edition, the Clermont-Ferrand International Singing Competition is renewing this category. It will award an already established piano–voice duo, invited to perform a programme highlighting Schubert’s lieder in 2028, the bicentenary year of Schubert’s death.
Performing Schubert’s lieder requires the singer to demonstrate precise German diction, great expressive subtlety, and a nuanced palette of vocal colours. The pianist must be a true partner, attentive to the text, breaths, and musical poetry. Mutual listening and artistic rapport within the duo will be essential.
The winning duo will be awarded a recital in Clermont Auvergne Opéra’s 2027–2028 season, a recital as part of the Volcadiva Festival, as well as a residency at the Château de Parentignat.
Music
Lieder by Franz Schubert
Cast
Pianist / Voice (all voice types)
Artist-in-residence
- Château de Parentignat (63) – Residence outcome
Summer 2027 (Date to be determined based on the availability of the winners)
Recitals
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- Clermont-Fd Opera-Theatre – Season 2027/2028 (date to be confirmed)
- Festival Volcadiva, early July 2028* (to be confirmed)
*The recital programme for the Volcadiva Festival must be “varied, popular, and accessible to a wide audience,” either free or built around a theme. It may include arias from opera, operetta, or musical theatre, but must not include more than three mélodies or lieder. Song cycles (mélodie or lied cycles) will not be accepted.
Production by Clermont Auvergne Opéra
