23 YOUNG OPERA SINGERS-TENORS OF DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES WILL COMPETE FOR THE PRIZE “THE VOICE OF KAMEN” IN STARA ZAGORA

The Second International Competition for Young Tenors THE VOICE OF KAMEN starts on 20 August at 13.00, when is the draw for the order of participation of the candidates and the selection of a rehearsal pianist, who will provide the accompaniment for them during the separate rounds of the Competition. After the preliminary selection according to the regulatory conditions of the Competition, 23 young opera singers-tenors /from 26 to 40 years of age/ from Romania, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Lithuania, Greece, China, South Korea, the USA will enter the Competition for the big prize “The Voice of Kamen”. The Second Edition of the unique of its kind competition – only for tenors “The Voice of Kamen” is organized by the Stara Zagora State Opera, the “Kamen Chanev” Foundation, with the assistance of “The Board of Trustees of the Stara Zagora Opera” and the support of the “Culture” National Fund.

The prestigious jury, headed by Jose Cura /tenor, conductor, composer/ and members of the jury Tanya Ivanova /soprano/, founder of the “Kamen Chanev” Foundation, Krasimira Stoyanova /soprano, Kamersingerin of the Vienna State Opera/, Vesselina Kasarova /mezzo-soprano, Kamersingerin of the Vienna State Opera and of the Bavarian State Opera, Artistic Director of the Stara Zagora State Opera/, Kaludi Kaludov /tenor, vocal pedagogue/, Ognyan Draganov /director, managing director of the Stara Zagora State Opera, Luciano di Martino /conductor of the Plovdiv State Opera/, Daniel Dobrovski /bass, casting adviser, vocal pedagogue/, Vladimir Kiradzhiev /conductor, professor in conducting at the Viennese Higher School for Music and Scenic Arts/, Luca Ceretta – managing director of the World Entertainment Company Kft. will assess the candidates and look for their new discoveries.

On 21 August at 11.00 start the auditions for the first round, which will be held for two days. All works will be performed in the original language and in the piano accompaniment. In the first round /21 and 22 august/ the candidates will perform two arias – the first by their choice, the second selected by the jury from the offered by the candidate arias. The results will be announced on 22 August in the evening. The Second Round will be held on 24 August starting at 11.00. The same evening the finalists will also be announced. At the Second Round the candidates present two arias: the fist by the choice of the candidate, the second – from the repertoire of Kamen Chanev. The First and Second rounds are held on the stage of the Stara Zagora Opera without access for audiences to the Hall.

In the third round “The Artist and the City” the candidates compete for the vote of the audience, having the opportunity to make their own choice how to present their artistic individuality – with an aria from an opera, musical or operetta, a folk song, popular song or one that presents their national identity in the best way. The right for participation in the third round have all, regardless of whether they have qualified for the final of the Competition. For the intended out of the competition program of the third round, which will be held on 25 August, at 19.30 on the specially built stage in front of the Stara Zagora Municipality – the entry for the audience is free. The Audience Award will be announced at the Closing Gala Concert of the laureates.

The official award ceremony and the gala concert of the laureates will be held on 27 at 21.00 on the stage of the Antique Forum “Augusta Trayana”. The awarded young opera singers will sing under the baton of Maestro Jose Cura to the accompaniment of the Orchestra of the Stara Zagora State Opera. The entry for the audience is with tickets.

The organizers of the Competition will give first, second and third prizes. Intended are also special prizes: by the Plovdiv State Opera – a contract and participation in an opera production in the season 2024-2025, by the Wielki Theater – Lodz, Poland – a contract and participation in an opera production in the season 2024-2025; the Award of the Stara State Opera – “Kamen Chanev – for Honesty in Art” and a contract for participation in an opera production in the season 2014-2015; Award of the Sliven Symphonic Orchestra – a concert in the native city of Kamen Chanev – Sliven.

On 23 August – on the free day before the Second Round, the organizers have chosen to offer a walk to the participants in the Competition in the City of the Roses Kazanlak and a meeting with its natural and historical sites. The evening will be concluded by the exciting spectacle of the opera “Tosca” by Puccini on the stage of the Antique Forum “Augusta Trayana” with Jose Cura in the role of Cavaradossi, Tanya Ivanova – in the role of Tosca and Kiril Manolov – in the role of Baron Scarpia. Conductor Ivaylo Krinchev, Director Ognyan Draganov/ Participants: soloists, Choir and Orchestra of the Stara Zagora State Opera.

Tickets for the spectacle of the opera “Tosca” and the Gala Concert of the Second International Competition for Young Tenors “The Voice of Kamen” can be bought on line and at the box office of the Stara Zagora State Opera.