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PRESS RELEASE
July 2011

Germany's biggest singing contest comes to Moscow
Great Final in the Bolshoi Theatre

From September 12th to 18th the world of opera revolves around Moscow when prominent opera and festival directors, singers, important representatives of media and agencies and over 120 young opera singers from 40 nations all over the world gather for the finals of one of the world's biggest singing contests Competizione dell'Opera.

The international singing contest of Italian Opera Competizione dell'Opera was founded in Hamburg in 1996. Since 2001 it has had its final home in the Dresden Semperoper. Under the direction of Prof. Hans-Joachim Frey it has created a widespread network in the international opera world and sparkles as internationally significant cultural event far beyond the Elbe City into the whole world.

On the occasion of the Italian Year of Culture the competition sets out to new horizons. For the first time the highlights of the competition the Final, Semifinal and Gala concert take place at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow from September 12th till September 18th.

Since the beginning, the Competition has built a strong cultural bridge between Dresden and Russia. Ever since there have been very successful preliminary rounds in Moscow and in St. Petersburg. Numerous participants from Russia can be found among the winners. Well known are for example Marina Meschriakowa who was the successful first prize winner in 1996 or Anja Harteros who gained third place in the same year.

How much will be the path across the globe to Moscow can be gauged with a glance on the other preliminary rounds. Since March the directors of the competition and representatives of the Bolshoi theatre have been travelling through Europe, Russia, USA, Asia and Latin America. In search for outstanding talents the auditions have been accompanied by high-ranking delegations of important representatives of culture and business, in order to establish the network of exactly these talents.
Auditions have been held in Santiago de Chile, Mexico City, New York, London, Shanghai, Seoul and Milan to name just some of them.

For the numerous winners the competition launched an international career. Due to the prominent jury the Competizione dell'Opera has become one of the most renowned talent forges among the worldwide singing competitions. During this year's finals week the world of opera will meet in Moscow. In September ten finalists will sing in one of the most famous theaters, to present themselves to prominent opera and festival directors, singers and important representatives and have the opportunity to get in touch with a unique network of decision-makers. The competition expects about 25 jury members per day among them representatives from the Metropolitan Opera, Opera America and Opera Europe.
With a prizes of 23.000 ? in total it is one of the best endowed competitions. Additionally numerous special prizes, which should support the entrance to prospective engagements are enticing the participants. Among them a Gala performance as a junior star on the Semper Opera ball in front of thousands of people and invitations from important opera houses for a guest appearance.

The Competizione dell'Opera is very much looking forward to a splendid Final in front of the public of Moscow

Dates

September 12th – Semifinal First Round 12.00h
September 13th – Semifinal First Round 11.00h
September 14th – Semifinal Second Round 11.00h
September 17th – Final19.00h
September 18th – Gala concert19.00h

Contest Management

Prof. Hans-Joachim Frey
Chairman Competizione dell'Opera e.V.

Uta-Christine Deppermann
Artistic Director Staatstheater Braunschweig