Rules 2021

The 27th International Opera Competition will take place from 11 to 17 July, 2021 at the Vichy and Clermont-Ferrand Opera houses (France).

GUIDELINES

This competition is open to all singers with no age limit.
A maximum of 200 singers, previously selected by application, will be allowed to compete on July 2021.

Registration is done only electronically, by using the online form. It is strongly recommended that you register before the deadline and not on November 16, 2020, when the system could be overloaded and your registration may not be taken into account.

The registration file includes several sections to complete. Please note, your application will only be considered valid when all sections are properly completed. You will receive confirmation of your application by e-mail.

WARNING :

- Auditioning for the 2 operas is not possible. Candidate must to choose to audition either for La Sonnambula or for L'Isola Disabitata, due to scheduling constraints of rehearsals and performances. However, you may register only for the Romantic Recital, or for an opera and the Romantic Recital, as the latter will be scheduled outside the rehearsal and performance periods of the 2 operas.

- Sopranos applying for La Sonnambula may choose to audition for the role of Amina, for the role of Lisa, or for both roles (plus recital or not). Basses applying for La Sonnambula may choose to audition for the role of Rodolfo, for the role of Alessio, or for both roles (plus recital or not).

CALENDAR

• Application deadline: November 16, 2020 midnight GMT
• Results for the selection: January 5, 2021
• Payment of a fee: From January 5, 2021 to June 14, 2021
• Convocation: Sunday July 11, 2021 –  From 17:00 – Vichy Opera
• Draw for the running order at the trials, beginning at 7pm - Vichy Opera
• Rehearsals: From July 12, 2021 to July 16, 2021
• Trials: From July 12, 2021 to July 17, 2021
• Final : Saturday July 17, 2021

APPLICATION CONDITIONS

Who is elegible to apply?

All Singers - No age limit

When to apply?

Before November 16, 2020 (at 12, midnight, GMT)

How to apply?

By using the online form

What do I need to submit online?

• Via the online form
  • Copy of your passport or official ID
  • 1 recent photography (headshot) color or black & white (High definition - 300 dpi) copyright free
  • 1 updated biography - French, English or Italian (max. 1 page - not resume or cv)
  • Audition program in accordance with regulation
• Via wetransfer to concours@clermont-auvergne-opera.com (or Youtube links via email)
  • Videos : 1 opera aria or melody chosen by the candidate and 1 opera aria, melody, oratorio or cantata from the repertoire of Haydn, Bellini, Rossini and/or Donizetti and recorded in 2020. In the name of each video file you will have to indicate: your name - range - composer's name - title of the work (file format: .avi, .flv, .mkv, .mp4)

Selection

Selection is based on a complete application with 2 videos. The results of the selection process will be announced no later than January 5, 2021 on the Competition website and the Facebook page, and communicated via e-mail to each selected candidate with practical information about their participation.

The enrollment of selected singers must be confirmed by the payment of a 60 € fee paid by bank transfer to the account of Clermont Auvergne Opera. Payments may be sent between January 4 and June 14, 2021. Any applicant who has not paid the fee by the June 14th, 2021 deadline will be disqualified.

In case of cancellation by the candidate, for any reason, Clermont Auvergne Opera will retain the fee for administrative cost. In case of cancellation by Clermont Auvergne Opera, for any reason and at any time, the fee will be returned to applicants.

AUDITIONED WORKS

Auditioning for the 2 operas is not possible. Candidate must to choose to audition either for La Sonnambula or for L'Isola Disabitata - due to scheduling constraints of rehearsals and performances. However, you may register only for the Romantic Recital, or for an opera and the Romantic Recital.

Opera in 2 acts - Stage version - Sung in Italian

Auditioned Roles

• Amina, soprano
• Elvino, tenor
• Lisa, soprano
• Comte Rodolfo, bass
• Teresa, mezzo-soprano
• Alessio, bass

Informations

Musical Direction (creation): Beatrice Venezi
Staging and choreography: Francesca Lattuada
Costume designer: Bruno Fatalot
Lighting designer: Christian Dubet

Rehearsals

Clermont-Ferrand - From December 27, 2021
Vichy - 29 January 2022
Avignon - From Mid February 2022
Metz - From Mid March 2022
Reims - From May 3 to May 15, 2022
Limoges - From March 24 to April 9, 2023
Massy - From May 5 to May 25, 2023

Compiègne - From May 16 to May 25, 2023

Performances - Seasons 2021-2022 and 2022-2023

January 23 and 25, 2022 – Clermont-Ferrand Opera
January 30, 2022 – Vichy Opera
February 25 and 27, 2022 – Avignon Opera
March 27, 29 and 31, 2022 – Metz Opera
May 13 and 15, 2022 – Reims Opera
April 7 and 9, 2023 – Limoges Opera
May 12 and 14, 2023 – Massy Opera
May  25, 2023 – Imperial Theater-Opera of Compiègne
 

Total: 15 performances

New production by the Clermont Auvergne Opera, in co-production with Vichy Opera, Grand Avignon Opera, Imperial Theater of Compiègne, Limoges Opera, Massy Opera, Metz Opera and Reims Opera.

Azione teatrale in 2 acts – Concert version (piano), Sung in Italian

Auditioned Roles

• Costanza, soprano or mezzo-soprano
• Gernando, tenor
• Silvia, soprano or mezzo-soprano
• Enrico, bass

Informations

Musical studies and accompaniment: Philippe Cassard

Rehearsals

Clermont-Ferrand
Season 2022 - 2023 - From january 9 to 13 and from January 30 to 2 February, 2023

Concert

Clermont-Ferrand - Season 2022-2023 - February 3, 2023

New production by Clermont Auvergne Opera

Mélodies by Gioacchino Rossini, Vincenzo Bellini and Gaetano Donizetti

Cast - 2 artists of different ranges

Informations

Musical studies and accompaniment: Susan Manoff

Rehearsals

Paris and Clermont-Ferrand - Season 22-23

Recital

Clermont-Ferrand - Season 22-23 - November 10, 2022

New production by Clermont Auvergne Opera

AUDITIONED PROGRAM

The audition program must include arias, duets, melodies and opera aria(s) from the list below only. Those pieces will be sung from memory and in the original language. Candidates are requested to bring the vocal and piano scores. No scores will be provided by the Competition organizers.

Auditioning for the 2 operas is not possible. Candidate must choose to audition either for La Sonnambula or for L'Isola Disabitata due to scheduling constraints of rehearsals and performances. However, you may register for the Romantic Recital, or for an opera and the Romantic Recital, as the latter will be scheduled outside the rehearsal and performance periods of the 2 operas.

La Sonnambula

• Amina, soprano
  • Recitative « Care compagne » et cavatine « Come per me serena »
  • Duet Elvino – Amina « Son geloso del zefiro errante »
  • Duet Comte Rodolfo – Amina « Che veggio ? »
  • Recitative « Oh ! se una volta sola » et air « Ah ! non credea mirarti... Ah ! non giunge »
• Elvino, tenor
  • Duet Elvino – Amina « Son geloso del zefiro errante »
  • Aria « Tutto e sciolto… Ah ! perchè non posso odiarti »
  • 1 aria from a Bellini opera, chosen by the candidate
• Lisa, soprano
  • Cavatina « Tutto è gioia »
  • Aria « De’ lieti auguri »
  • 1 aria from a Bellini opera, chosen by the candidate
• Amina and Lisa, soprano
  • Recitative « Care compagne » et cavatine « Come per me serena »
  • Duet Elvino – Amina « Son geloso del zefiro errante »
  • Duet Comte Rodolfo – Amina « Che veggio ? »
  • Recitative « Oh ! se una volta sola » et air « Ah ! non credea mirarti... Ah ! non giunge »
  • Cavatina « Tutto è gioia »
  • Aria « De’ lieti auguri »
• Comte Rodolfo, bass
  • Recitative « Come noioso e lungo » et cavatine « Vi ravviso, o luoghi ameni »
  • Duet Comte Rodolfo – Amina « Che veggio ? »
  • 1 aria from a Bellini opera, chosen by the candidate
• Teresa, mezzo-soprano
  • 3 arias from a Bellini opera(s), chosen by the candidate
• Alessio, bass
  • 3 arias from a Bellini opera(s), chosen by the candidate
• Comte Rodolfo and Alessio, bass
  • Recitative « Come noioso e lungo » et cavatine « Vi ravviso, o luoghi ameni »
  • Duet Comte Rodolfo – Amina « Che veggio ? »
  • 1 aria from a Bellini opera, chosen by the candidate

L’Isola Disabitata

• Costanza, soprano or mezzo-soprano
  • Recitative « Ah troppo, o Silvia mia » et air « Se non piange un infelice »
  • Aria « Ah che in van »
  • 1 aria from a Haydn opera, oratorio or cantata, chosen by the candidate
• Silvia, soprano or mezzo-soprano
  • Recitative « Che fu mai quel qu’il vidi ! » et air « Fra un dolce deliro »
  • Recitative « Que mai m’avvenne ! » et air « Come il vapor s’accende »
  • 1 aria from a Haydn opera, oratorio or cantata, chosen by the candidate
• Gernando, tenor
  • Recitative « Questo è il soggiorno… » et air « Non turbar quand’io mi lagno »
  • 2 arias from a Haydn opera(s), oratorio(s) or cantata(s), chosen by the candidate
• Enrico, bass
  • Recitative « Tenero in vero… » et air « Chi nel cammin d’onore »
  • 2 arias from a Haydn opera(s), oratorio(s) or cantata(s), chosen by the candidate

Romantic Recital

• If the candidate chooses to audition only for the Romantic Recital: 4 melodies (songs) from Rossini’s, Bellini’s and / or Donizetti’s repertoire. (Chosen by the participant - Operas' arias by these composers are not allowed)
• If the candidate chooses to audition for an opera and the Romantic Recital: 2 melodies (songs) from Rossini’s, Bellini’s and / or Donizetti’s repertoire. (Chosen by the participant - Operas' arias by these composers are not allowed)

AUDITION PROCEDURE

All selected singers are to be present for validation of their application on Sunday, July 11, 2021 from 5 pm at the Vichy Opera. This will be followed by the draw for the running order at the trials, beginning at 7pm. Any late arrival or other artistic commitment will lead to the exclusion of the candidate.

Location

Vichy Opera House
1 rue du Casino, 03200 Vichy
For the First round – July 12 and 13, 2021

Clermont-Ferrand Opera House
Boulevard Desaix, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand
For the Semi-finals July 15 and Final July 17, 2021

Pianists

Three piano accompanists are made available to singers for rehearsals and trials. No other private accompanist will be accepted.

Rehearsals

Vichy Opera
July 12 and 13, 2021 / 9:30 – 13:30 and 17:00 – 19:30

Clermont-Ferrand Opera
July 14, 2021 / 14 :00 - 16 :30
July 15, 2021 / 9 :30 – 13 :30 and 17 :00 – 19:30
July 16, 2021 / From 14 :00

Trials

Trials are public. The order of presentation throughout the competition will follow the order of the draw conducted on Sunday, July 11.

• First round
  12 and 13 July 2021 / 14:00 - 17:00 and 20:00 - 23:00 - Vichy Opera
  Each artist sings an aria selected by the Clermont Auvergne Opera from the candidate's program previously communicated during the validation of registration. Total time: 10 minutes maximum
• Semi-finals
  15 July 2021 / 14:00 - 17:00 and 20:00 - 23:00 - Clermont-Ferrand Opera
  Each artist sings an aria selected by the jury from the candidate's program. Total time: 10 minutes maximum
• Final
  17 July 2021 / 15:00 - Clermont-Ferrand Opera
  Each artist sings an aria or/and a duet selected by the jury from the candidate's program. Total time: 10 minutes maximum

PRIZES

 For the finalists of the competition, Clermont Auvergne opera bear the costs the hotel room from July 16 to 17, 2021 (up to a limit of € 99, upon presentation of an invoice).

Professional engagements will be the subject of signed contracts between the selected artists and

• Clermont Auvergne Opera for performances and concerts in Clermont-Ferrand,
• The various partners of the Clermont Auvergne Opera for works in distribution.

Each singer will certify, on his / her honor, they are free of any other commitment during the times of rehearsals and concerts provided by Clermont Auvergne Opera. The lack of participation in rehearsals and concerts, for any reason, will lead to the cancellation of the contract.

At the end of the Final the selected artists are committed to the following conditions:

La Sonnambula

Defrayal

• Clermont-Ferrand: including support for travel and living expenses (hotel and meals) for the whole duration of their stay for rehearsals and performances (all artists)
• On tour: including support for travel (all artists) and living expenses (hotel and meals) only for Teresa and Alessio.

L’Isola disabitata

Defrayal

• including support for travel and living expenses (hotel and meals) for the whole duration of their stay for rehearsals and concert (all artists).

Romantic Recital

For each of the 2 chosen artists: A gross amount of € 2,000 including the agency commission in addition to all travel and living expenses (hotel and meals) for the whole duration of rehearsals and recital.

SPECIAL PRIZES

• « Bernard Plantey » AUDIENCE AWARD
  In honor of the founder of the Centre lyrique d'Auvergne wich became Clermont Auvergne Opera and with a value of € 1 500, this prize will be awarded to a finalist nominated by public vote on 21 February 2021 and will be presented by the President of the Clermont Auvergne Opera.
• « City of Clermont-Ferrand » YOUNG AUDIENCE AWARD
  Valued at € 1 500, this prize will be awarded to a finalist chosen by the vote of a jury of young people participating in mediation activities of the Clermont Auvergne Opera in 2021, and will be presented by the town councilor for cultural policy in the city of Clermont-Ferrand.
• « Cia Opera São Paulo » AWARD
  Engagement for two performances of La Sonnambula in October 2022 in São Paulo (Brazil) for a soprano (role of Amina) or a tenor (role of Elvino) at the invitation of Mr. Paulo Abrão Esper, General and Artistic Director of the Cia Opera São Paulo and the Brazilian Maria Callas Opera Competition. La Cia Opera São Paulo offers 1,000 Euros for each performance, tourist class plane ticket, accommodation and meals during the rehearsals between September / October 2022 in São Paulo, Brazil

JURY

Appointed by the Administrative Council of Clermont Auvergne Opera, the jury is composed of international personalities from the world of opera, drama and music. The Jury deliberation will be confidential and its decisions will be final and without appeal. In case a jury member happened to be the teacher of one of the competing artists they would not be allowed to take part in the deliberations or in the voting concerning that artist. The jury reserves the right not to award all the prizes.

President of the jury
Katia Ricciarelli, soprano

Francesca Lattuada
Stage director and choregrapher

Raymond Duffaut
French Centre for Lyrical Promotion President

Richard Martet
Chief editor of Opéra Magazine

Frédéric Roels
Grand Avignon Director

Eric Rouchaud
Imperial Theater of Compiègne Director

Alain Mercier
Limoges Opera Director

Xavier Adenot
Massy Opera Production Director

Pénélope Bergeret
Artistic assistant - Metz Opera

Martin Kubich
Vichy Culture Director

Pierre Thirion-Vallet
Stage director and Clermont Auvergne Opera Director

THE CO-PRODUCERS

After Don Pasquale, Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci, 8 French opera houses meet alongside Clermont Auvergne Opera to produce and program La Sonnambula.

Listed monument and unique testimony of the Art Nouveau style, the Vichy Opera presents a marvelous decoration, in a harmony of gold, ivory and yellow. It opened in 1901 with Verdi's Aïda Opera. Since its renovation in 1995, the Vichy Opera organizes around sixty events throughout the year and welcomes more than 50,000 spectators. In summer, place in a season where jazz, operas, concerts, musical theater, world music, ballet intersect from the end of June to the end of August during original proposals in the Opera, in the city of Vichy and the agglomeration. From September to mid-May, the Vichy Opera unfolds a rich multidisciplinary season focusing on opera, theater, dance, as well as acoustic and amplified music.
http://www.opera-vichy.com

With a high level of eclectic programming, the Grand Avignon Opera is one of the most important stages of southern France. Since 2017, Grand Avignon has started the restoration of one of the cultural jewels of the agglomeration. For Grand Avignon, which manages the Opera, it is a question of giving new impetus to this prestigious establishment of community interest which radiates well beyond the ramparts of Avignon, by the quality of its productions and the shows presented. With this overhaul of the Opéra Grand Avignon, the urban community intends to deploy a new cultural project, with priority given to young people and the search for new audiences.
http://www.operagrandavignon.fr

Real architectural gem, the Imperial Theater of Compiègne is exceptional both in terms of volume and of acoustic qualities. The famous conductor Carlo Maria Giulini considered the acoustics of the hall "as one of the most perfect in the world, more accomplished than that of the Musikverein in Vienna, yet the benchmark in this field". A Mecca for music and lyrical art, the Imperial Theater of Compiègne provides an opportunity to see and hear the repertoire from the Baroque period to the present day, and gives a special place to French voice and music. Under the artistic direction of Eric Rouchaud and armed with an ambitious project, the Imperial Theater, Lyric production center of Hauts-de-France, produces or participates in the production of operas and musical theater shows. Each season, it presents first-rate soloists and musical ensembles, just as it supports the emergence of young talents. Its reputation and its success with the public as well as artists rest in particular on artistic residencies and on its programming open to the diversity of musical and lyrical forms (concert, recital, chamber and symphonic music, opera…). As part of the production and national distribution networks, the Imperial Theater is both a founding member of the co [operative] and an associate member of the Réunion des Opéras de France (R.O.F.). It is also behind the Festival En Voix!, The only festival of lyric art and choral singing across an entire region in France. www.theatre-imperial.com

The Limoges Opera is a key player in the national lyrical and musical landscape. Engaged in numerous projects with other French and European operas, it develops a lyrical, musical and choreographic policy aiming at the excellence of the proposals, giving way to both heritage works and creation. It also stands out in having a thematic approach to its programming that wishes to teach directories to audiences. The artistic choices give a prominent place to young talents, whether they are singer-songwriters, directors or conductors. The latter are mentored by confirmed artists, which makes the Limoges Opera House an identified pole of professional springboard.
http://www.operalimoges.fr

Located in the South of Paris and very present in various lyric coproductions the Opéra de Massy offers a rich programming combining the great repertoire and genuine discoveries. Music, dance, drama; it is an intense cultural activity that delights the public and assures its renewal. Stars meet up with young talents and share the same common goal: excellence.
http://www.opera-massy.com

Indispensable theatre for opera, dance and drama as well as an emblematic cultural place of the territory since the 18th century, the Opera-Theatre of Metz Métropole offers around fifty events per artistic season with an average of 25,000 spectators, including 25 % under 26 years of age.
It stands as a real asset for the attractiveness of the metropolis by offering the public an ambitious program, with renowned artists and masterpieces, making sure to offer creations and renew aesthetic approaches.
Production centre for the performing arts (opera, dance and drama with its own workshops and permanent artists (Choir and Ballet), the Opera-Theatre exports its know-how to other institutions in France and in Europe.
http://www.opera.metzmetropole.fr

Located In the East of France, this opera house is known for its openness to a repertoire extending from the baroque to the contemporary as well as for its dynamism. Indeed, the Reims Opera house not only offers a season with headliners and rare titles but also a large diffusion in the region, generously offering a lyric art that has never been this close to the inhabitants.
http://www.operadereims.com

DISTRIBUTION OF SHOWS AND CONCERTS

Clermont Auvergne Opera and its partners are committed to promoting the distribution of works auditioned in Clermont-Ferrand. Each artist will be kept regularly informed of scheduled concerts. The availability of artists will be taken into account.

Clermont Auvergne Opera or any representative named by it has the right to photograph and to film the candidates for the duration of the Contest.

The jury reserves the right not to award all the prizes.

In case of dispute, only the French version of this Regulation will be legally valid. Participation in the contest implies the unconditional acceptance of this Regulation.

CONTACT

For any questions about the Contest of Clermont-Ferrand, please contact:

David M. Dufort
Coordinator
Clermont Auvergne Opéra
10 rue du Bon Pasteur - 63000 - Clermont-Ferrand
Tel. +33 (0) 473 460 606 - concours@clermont-auvergne-opera.com