Viva Classic Live
This summer, for the first time, Viva Classic Live is organizing a vocal competition with an open-air concert as the final for young operatalents up to the age of 30 from Limburg or North Rhine-Westphalia. The grand finale will take place on September 6, 2023 at the market square in Venlo. The candidates each present themselves with two arias, accompanied by the orchestra “The New Symphonics” conducted by Maurice Luttikhuis.
Cash prizes and development opportunities
There are various cash prizes and development opportunities for the finalists. The first three places receive cash prizes. The "Willy Caron Trophy" is associated with the 1st prize, named after the famous opera singer from Venlo. In addition, there are several development awards, including a role in a future Opera Compact production and participation as a singer in the festive opera gala "Homage to Maria Callas" in the Krefeld and Mönchengladbach Theaters in November 2023.
Vocal competition and open-air concert
Candidates can register online for a first selection round based on a video presentation until July 22nd.
The second round consists of a live audition for a selection of up to 20 participants on August 28./29 at the Mönchengladbach Theater. Prior to the audition, candidates will have the opportunity to take part in a master class with the renowned soprano Eva Maria Westbroek and/or Sybrand van der Werf, Artistic Director of Opera Compact. The finalists will present themselves at an open-air concert with the orchestra "The New Symphonics” on Wednesday 6 September in front of the historic Venlo Town Hall. The jury consists of experts from the world of opera, including Andreas Wendholz, opera director of Theater Krefeld-Mönchengladbach, and the mexican tenor Hector Sandoval.
The jury is chaired by Sef Thissen, baritone and initiator of Viva Classic Live.
Euregional Cooperation
The Vocal Competition is part of an euregional collaboration between Viva Classic Live, Theater Krefeld-Mönchengladbach, Theater De Maaspoort in Venlo, Opera Compact and a number of other partners in the region. Through this cross-border cooperation, they want to optimize and strengthen the regional dynamic and the regional production climate for classical music and dance. With this competition, young, classically trained talent is offered a stage to present themselves on both sides of the border and to connect more strongly with the regions. The competition is made possible by a P2P program from the Euregio Rhein-Maas-Nord and a number of larger companies that are active in the Euregio.
