Round ONE
Online applications: November 16, 2023 (12:00 CET) - February 11, 2024 (23:59 CET)
Round TWO
Live auditions: Spring to Summer 2024
Round THREE
Final round in Germany: October 5-12, 2024
singers of all nationalities working towards a professional opera career
singers, who were born on October 13, 1993 or later
No exceptions are possible with regard to the age limit
We reserve the right to not admit participants to the competition due to political developments
Online applications are built up in 7 steps and must include the following information:
Personal data and your choice for an audition city for round two
Repertoire for round two (5 arias from the compulsory repertoire)
Education
Two References
Video recordings of 2 opera arias (one video per aria)
Copy of passport or ID with photo and date of birth (no driver’s licence)
Copy of head shot
Repertoire:
Applicants must submit video recordings of 2 opera arias which adhere to the following requirements:
Both arias must be opera, but from two different operas
Both arias must represent contrasting musical styles
Both arias must be sung in different languages, always in the original language as written
Both arias must be sung in the original keys as written
Both arias must represent the same voice type/ fach
Both arias must be sung completely, if applicable with the accompanying recitative
Both arias must be sung from memory
Technical demands:
One video per aria
Both videos must be specifically recorded for the Neue Stimmen competition, existing video material cannot be used
Both videos must be in an MP4-format
Each aria must be recorded in a single take
Recordings must be made entirely live, only with piano accompaniment
(no pre-recorded backing tracks, no orchestra accompaniment)
Watch our tutorial video “How to produce a good audition video” before you start. This tutorial shows you step by step how to produce your own audition video
Find the checklist from the video here:
For round TWO applicants must choose 5 arias from the compulsory repertoire which adhere to the following requirements:
Three arias from three of these four periods
and two additional arias from different operas, periods freely selectable. One of these two arias may be chosen from operetta.
The choice of this five arias applies to live auditions and for the final round.
You may choose arias that you have already performed in the video audition.
All selected arias must be prepared in their entirety, in the original language, in the original key, and with accompanying recitative.
In all live auditions and orchestral concerts, the arias are sung in the pitch of 440 Hz, including the baroque arias.
An immediate qualification to the final round is not possible
Incomplete applications or incorrect information will lead to disqualification
The organizer reserves the right not to accept all applicants
NEUE STIMMEN Prize-Winners are NOT eligible to apply again
Prize-Winners (1-3 prize) commit to participate in the prize-winner’s-concert in spring 2025 in Berlin
Costs of travel and accommodation
We will reimburse costs for traveling to the final round in Guetersloh as follows:
Reimbursements will be made when original documents and receipts, scanned receipts or photocopies are being sent in. Contestants are obliged to take the shortest route between Gütersloh and their place of residence.
We will cover the cost of accommodation for participants during the final round. Only the costs for hotel rooms reserved by the Liz Mohn Stiftung will be covered. Additional costs such as telephone, fax, cleaning services, mini-bar, etc. will not be covered.
Dress
Please note that appropriate dress is necessary for the final round in Gütersloh (formal dress for concerts).