International Tenor Viñas Singing Competition

On January 10th, the 63rd edition of the International Tenor Viñas Singing Contest kicks off with the inauguration at the Saló de Cent of the Barcelona City Council.

The contest, framed within the season programming of the Gran Teatre del Liceu and considered a global reference in opera and lyrical singing, has received 712 registrations from 64 countries for this edition, from which nearly a hundred singers have been selected to compete in the different phases of the contest.

This edition sets a record of registrations for the second consecutive year, consolidating a decade of sustained growth and reaffirming itself as an international platform of reference for young lyrical singers.

Contest Dates

The international preliminary auditions took place during November at the main theaters with which the Gran Teatre del Liceu has collaboration agreements, ensuring the global reach and accessibility of the contest: the Teatro Real in Madrid, the Staatsoper in Berlin, the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Opéra National de Paris, the San Francisco Opera, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in London, and the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. The Liceu auditions were held on January 7, 8, and 9 at the Liceu Conservatory.

The selected singers will compete in the official phases of the contest, which are:

    SECOND ROUND: January 11th and 12th at the Higher Conservatory of Music of the Liceu

    SEMIFINAL: January 13th and 14th, also at the Higher Conservatory of Music of the Liceu

    FINAL ROUND: Friday, January 16th at the Gran Teatre del Liceu

    WINNERS' CONCERT: Sunday, January 18th at the Gran Teatre del Liceu

Additionally, as a non-competitive activity, the Contest proposes "An Afternoon with Luciana Serra," a meeting with one of the great international figures in the opera world, recognized for her high-level artistic career as well as her decisive role in the training of new generations of singers linked to prominent lyrical institutions and international programs. Presented by Pol Avinyó, assistant to the Artistic Director of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, it is an open-to-the-public event taking place on Saturday, January 17th at the Liceu Foyer.

Oratorio-Lied: new separate category

As a highlighted novelty, the Contest takes a step forward in its commitment to vocal diversity and promotes the oratorio-Lied specialization as an independent category. This discipline, which until now was part of the general category, will be developed in parallel and will have its own official prize and a specialized jury - dedicated exclusively to evaluating this style. With this decision, the Contest stands out by focusing on a genre for which many young singers express that there are few professional opportunities. This initiative is supported by the Victoria de los Ángeles Foundation and the Schubertiada.

Renewed staging and awards as novelties of this edition

This year, for the first time, the Contest has commissioned the creation of a trophy with an original design, the work of the young Tarragona-set designer Llorenç Corbella Burgués, known artistically as "Passerell," which will be awarded to the winners of the Official Prizes of this edition. With this initiative, the contest highlights its identity and recognition, offering the winners an exclusive artistic piece that becomes a distinctive symbol of the Tenor Viñas Contest and a permanent memory of their participation in the competition. The award is inspired by the hurricane staging of scores that Passerell designed in the previous edition of the Contest to refer to the power of the voice, the basis and essence of the contest.

Additionally, both the final and the Winners' Concert will be presented with renewed staging. Following the previous edition's commitment to enhancing the artistic value of the staging, this year it was desired to continue this line to offer the public a complete experience that integrates space, talent, and music. The scenic design - also by the artist Llorenç Corbella - which was well received in the last edition, remains conceptually the same but presents a renewed air that updates and enriches the visual proposal of the contest.

The Final will be hosted by journalist Marta Polo, while the Winners' Concert will be presented by journalist and television collaborator Ana Boadas.

Awards

Over 150,000 euros in prizes will be distributed, divided into different categories: Official Prizes - from first to sixth place -, Special Prizes, and Extraordinary Prizes. In total, 32 prizes will be awarded, a clear demonstration of the Contest's commitment to promoting talent and the willingness to recognize a wide range of artistic excellence beyond the top finishers.

In addition to the economic endowment, many of these awards include contracts in theaters and lyrical institutions, recitals at national and international festivals, and various study grants, offering participants real opportunities for professional projection and continuity in their artistic training.

An international jury of excellence

The contest stands out for its firm commitment to artistic excellence, featuring internationally renowned personalities who contribute decisively to shaping lyrical talent worldwide. The Opera category jury is made up of the artistic and casting directors of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Teatro Real of Madrid, Staatsoper in Berlin, Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Opéra National de Paris, Royal Opera House Covent Garden in London, Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York, as well as singers Olaf Bär and Luciana Serra, and pianist James Baillieu.

The Oratorio-Lied category jury is composed of the artistic directors of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the Victoria de los Ángeles Foundation, and the Barcelona Auditorium, as well as the aforementioned Olaf Bär and James Baillieu.