Competition

Discovering Talents

Frequently Asked Questions

Online application

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The application for the 2024 competition is complete when you have filled in the online application and uploaded all the necessary documents: Proof of birth, headshot and video recordings of two opera arias. Find all information regarding the online application here: How to apply & good to know

All information about the two videos that have to be submitted can be found on this page: How to apply & good to know

 

Watch our tutorial video "How to produce a good audition video"

www.youtube.com/watch

If you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation email. Please also check your spam folder.

You will receive an e-mail informing you whether you have been admitted to the live auditions around the beginning/ middle of March 2024. 

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

 

 

The arias MAY be taken from the compulsory repertoire of the competition, but it is not a requirement!

Live auditions

No. Based on the video auditions, the jury decides on the admission to a live audition. Incorrect information can also lead to exclusion from the competition.

Yes you do. Participation in one of the live auditions is manadatory to qualify for the final round.

In case you are accepted to the live auditions, you will be given the opportunity to change your repertoire. We will inform you about it accordingly by mail.

Yes. Since we have not been able to communicate fixed dates for our Live Audition cities during the application period, you are allowed to change your city if you have scheduling issues on that date.

No, not for live auditions.

But for participation in the final round, travel and accommodation costs are reimbursed by the Liz Mohn Stiftung up to a certain amount. You can find more details on this under the topic "Final round".

About 2 weeks after your live audition, you can retrieve the jury's evaluation and your qualification status in your online application. In addition, we will notify you by email about qualifying or not qualifying for the final round.

No. We provide an official piano accompanist for all live auditions as well as rooms for warming-up free of charge. Own pianists are allowed at the live auditions at their own expense after prior consultation with us.

We recommend that you wear appropriate clothing to your live audition, in which you feel comfortable and which shows off your type well. Please do NOT come in concert or evening attire.

At the live audition you will perform 1 or 2 arias from the submitted repertoire. You choose the 1st aria yourself, the 2nd aria (if requested) is chosen by the jury. The jury may interrupt the performance at any time or shorten it due to time constraints.

No. Only the jury, NEUE STIMMEN staff, pianist and singers are allowed in the room where live auditions are taking place..

Punctuality is essential. You should arrive to auditions at least one hour before you are due to perform.

Yes, all participants will be allocated a short time slot (max. 15 minutes) in which they can have a short rehearsal with the pianist. The requirement for this is punctual appearance on site.

Repertoire

- 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 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

Yes, but applicants who qualify for the final round have the opportunity to adjust their repertoire selection in advance - but always within the framework of the compulsory repertoire.

Live audition: 2 arias max.

 

 

 

audition final round: 2 arias max.

 

 

 

semifinal: 2 arias

 

 

 

final: 2 arias

No. All arias must be taken from the compulsory repertoire of the NEUE STIMMEN. The arias must be performed in the original language and in the original key in all rounds.

Final round

After the live audition, each singer can check the qualification for the final round with his/her personal password in the online application after approx. 2 weeks. All singers will also receive a notification by e-mail.

Generally not. The Liz Mohn Stiftung will provide accommodation and meals for the duration of the entire finals week. In addition, costs for arrival and departure will be reimbursed up to a certain amount. The Liz Mohn Stiftung will not pay for additional hotel expenses (telephone, fax, cleaning, minibar, etc.) or for accommodation in self-selected accommodation (hotels, holiday flats, AirBnBs, etc.). Likewise, any costs for accompanying persons are not covered.

The Liz Mohn Stiftung will refund the traveling expenses after the final round in Gütersloh as follows:

  • up to EUR 1,200 for contestants from Asia, Australia, South Africa, North and South America
  • up to EUR 600 for contestants from Eastern Europe
  • up to EUR 300 for contestants from Western Europe.

For the reimbursement of travel expenses, which will take place after the final round in July, a form must be filled out and all relevant receipts submitted, which are welcome to be sent by e-mail. When planning the journey, the shortest distance between the venue in Gütersloh and the participant's place of residence must be followed.

No. Own pianists are not permitted for the final round. The organiser will provide official piano accompaniment and rehearsal facilities free of charge for the final round.

Partial. Piano auditions are not open to the public. For a selected professional audience, the piano rounds will be made available online on a time-delayed basis in a protected area.

 

IThere is a number of tickets available for the concerts. Information about ticket sales will be posted on the website on time.

Yes, even after dropping out of the competition, we are happy for all finalists to stay in Gütersloh until the end of the competition. The Liz Mohn Stiftung will therefore cover the costs of accommodation and meals for all finalists until the end of the competition. There will also be planned activities for the former participants.

For the auditions at the finals it is recommended to wear elegant clothes. Concert dress is compulsory for the final concert. It is recommended to bring two to three different dresses to choose from, one of which should be a long black dress if possible, respectively a dark suit, dinner jacket or tailcoat with matching footwear (ideally patent leather shoes).