The competition dedicated to the legendary Lithuanian tenor Virgilijus Noreika has gained global recognition and has become one of the largest opera soloist competitions in Europe.
Read more Lavrov unexpectedly spoke about the negotiations: «We have something to say»
Participants up to 35 years old compete in the competition, so the audience will be able to hear both those starting their professional careers and singers who have already shone on the stages of major opera theaters and festivals.
After the selection round, the names of the participants invited to Vilnius were announced – 70 soloists are expected, coming from as many as 22 countries, including representatives from South Korea, Ukraine, Lithuania, Germany, Latvia, China, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Poland, Georgia, Slovakia, the Philippines, the USA, Croatia, France, Canada, Bolivia, Estonia, Mongolia, Austria, Armenia, and Mexico.
Representatives of the selection committee also share their first impressions after listening to many submitted recordings. “The 4th International Virgilijus Noreika Singers Competition has perfectly integrated into the family of the world’s most prestigious competitions, attracting exceptionally strong and bright singers. I am very pleased with the authoritative competition judging panel.
Singers from 34 countries participated in the preliminary stage, including 12 Lithuanian singers. The competition will definitely be memorable and interesting, a feast for lovers of the art of singing. It is a major event in the Lithuanian art world. I invite you to watch the competition and urge you to buy tickets for the final concert at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre as soon as possible,” says Prof. Deividas Staponkus.
He is supported by Prof. Asta Krikščiūnaitė: “We are eagerly awaiting the 4th International V. Noreika Singers Competition. It is a joyful celebration of operatic singing, bringing together the most talented young performers from various countries around the world and encouraging their creativity. It is especially pleasing to see the high level of performers’ professionalism, meticulous preparation, and mature performance. We have no doubt that this year’s competition will be interesting and dynamic, distinguished both by the number of participants and the high artistic quality of the performances.”
The competition will take place from September 19 to 26 at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre and the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. The solemn opening and drawing ceremony at St. Catherine’s Church will be adorned by the concert “Opera Soloists’ Dedication to Virgilijus Noreika,” during which the soloist of the Lucerne Theatre, laureate of the 3rd International Virgilijus Noreika Singers Competition, Ukrainian baritone V. Tluščas, and this year’s 1st place winner of the Cascais Opera international vocal competition, soprano Nuri Park from South Korea, will perform the most beautiful arias from their personal repertoire. This event is supported by the Vilnius City Municipality.
The finalists will traditionally perform on the stage of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre together with the theatre’s orchestra, which this time will be conducted by the principal conductor of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, maestro Mārtiņš Ozoliņš, already familiar to Lithuanian audiences. This year, the competition performances will be judged by an international jury, including Helena Kaupová (Czech Republic), Cornelia von Kerssenbrock (Germany), Zoriana Kušpler (Austria–Ukraine), Markus Hollop (Germany–Switzerland), Yeree Suh (South Korea), Bogdan Makalis (Poland), and Asta Krikščiūnaitė (Lithuania).
In addition to the cash prize fund of 35,000 euros, winners will receive concert and special prizes established by the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Estonian National Opera, the Grand Theatre – Polish National Opera, the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, the Immling Festival, the “Artistainternational” agency in Germany, the “Accademia Bruna Bagloni” in Italy, the Pažaislis Music Festival, the Kaunas State Philharmonic, the Marijampolė Philharmonic, the Vilnius Club, the Saulius Karosas Charity and Support Fund, and the travel agency “Menų turas.”
The 4th International Virgilijus Noreika Singers Competition is funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture.
