The Municipality of Busseto announces the 60th International Competition for Voci Verdiane Città di Busseto, in honor and memory of Carlo Bergonzi on the centenary of the birth of the famous tenor, organized with the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism, chaired by the Mayor of Busseto Stefano Nevicati and organized by Royal Theater of Parma.

The competition will take place in Busseto from 2 to 7 September 2024 and is aimed at all singers aged between 18 and 35 (sopranos and tenors) and between 18 and 38 years (mezzo-sopranos, contraltos, baritones and basses),

Registration applications must be received exclusively online by 2.00 pm (UTC+1) on 28 June 2024, by creating your profile at the following links separated by voice register:

• sopranos, tenors
• mezzo-sopranos, contraltos, baritones, basses

accompanied by two audio-video recordings and the documentation indicated in the announcement, available on teatroregioparma.it and vociverdiane.com.

Preliminary phase

Registration for the Preliminary Phase of the Competition can be carried out from 27 May until 2.00 pm (UTC+1) on 28 June 2024.

A selection commission will evaluate the registered candidates on the basis of the audiovisual material and documentation presented.
The selection commission is made up of:

Alessio Vlad, Artistic Director of the Teatro Regio of Parma;
Francesco Izzo, Educational Director of the Verdi Academy, Advanced course in Verdi repertoire of Teatro Regio of Parma;
Further component identified in agreement between the Municipality of Busseto and the Teatro Regio Foundation.

Admission to the Competition Phase will be communicated via email to the selected candidates by 15 July 2024.

Competition Phase

The Competition Phase will take place in Busseto according to the following calendar:

2, 3 September 2024: Qualifying rounds and announcement of the semi-finalists;
4 September 2024: Semi-final and announcement of the finalists;
5 September, 2024: Vocal Coaching of the finalists;
6 September 2024: Musical rehearsals on the piano and with the orchestra of the finalists;
7 September 2024: Final-Concert with orchestra open to the public and announcement of the winners.

Jury

Carlo Fontana, President
Jonathan Friend, Metropolitan Opera, New York
Francesco Izzo, Teatro Regio of Parma
Pal Christian Moe, Glyndebourne Festival, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, The Norwegian National Opera, Narodni Divadlo Prague
Karen Stone, Opera Europa

For the Concert Finale the 5 members of the Jury are added:
Alessandro Galoppini, Teatro alla Scala, Milan
Cristiano Sandri, Teatro Regio of Turin
Ilias Tzempetonidis, Teatro di San Carlo in Naples

On the occasion of the 60th International Verdian Voices Competition, on the centenary of the birth of Carlo Bergonzi, a second Jury of professionals and enthusiasts chosen by the Municipality of Busseto, present only at the Finale-Concert, will be established, which will award a special prize.

Prizes

The Competition Jury will award the following prizes:

1st Prize – €5,000
2nd Prize – €3,000
3rd Prize – €2,000

The prizes are gross of legal withholdings. In case of ex aequo, the prize will be divided among the winners.
Artistic writings: The Teatro Regio di Parma undertakes to sign at least one of the finalists, regardless of the final ranking, as part of its artistic activities in 2025. Similarly, the representatives of other theaters on the jury will be able to reward any finalist candidate with artistic writings, regardless of the final ranking. With an unquestionable decision of the Jury, the prizes may not be awarded.
The jury of professionals and enthusiasts chosen by the Municipality of Busseto will award its own special prize.