Cascais becomes the capital of the opera
with singers of 18 nationalities
Cascais hosts 43 young lyric singers from 18 countries for the 2nd edition of Cascais Opera – International Song Contest.
From April 23 to May 4, the city will be the scene of a celebration of talent and operatic art, gathering promising singers in search of an opportunity to launch their careers on the international stage. Live tastings, masterclasses, a semifinalists’ concert, and an exciting ending at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation promise to make this edition unforgettable for participants and audiences.
The contest has a renowned jury, chaired by baritone Sergei Leiferkus, a prominent figure in the world opera scene. They are joined by the baritone, soprano Anna Samuil (from Staatsoper Berlin), Antonio Pirolli (maestro titular da Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa), Eline de Kat (Artistic Coordinator of the Opera Monte-Carlo), Ivan van Kalmthout (Executive Senior Opera), soprano Juliane Banse (also a teacher at the University Mozarteum de Salzburg), mezzo-soprano Jennifer Larmore (also a teacher at Music College Seoul National University) and Pål Christian Moe (Festival de Opera de Glyndebourne).
The face-to-face events and masterclasses that will take place in emblematic spaces of the Museums Quarter, such as the Cascais Cultural Center, Paula Rego House of Stories and the Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum, are free to enter, subject to the room’s filling, providing the public with a unique opportunity to monitor the evolution of competitors closely.
One of the new features of this year is the Concerto de Semfinalistas, which takes place on April 30 at the Palace of the Citadel of Cascais, free of charge, upon registration. (mail link) This concert offers a new opportunity for non-final singers to be heard by the public and the jury in a concert context.
The competition culminates in the Grand Final, on May 4, at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, finding tickets for sale at Ticketline. The final eight will take the stage accompanied by the Portuguese Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Antonio Pirolli. More than 40,000 euros are at stake, including the Grand Prix Aegis, worth 10,000 euros, which also guarantees the winner a contract with the National Theatre of São Carlos. In addition to the monetary prizes, the winners will be able to sign contracts with international theatres and opera festivals.
Opera to the Reach of All
Cascais Opera wants everyone to live the magic of opera. In collaboration with Image Blowers, an innovative project that makes the shows more accessible to the blind and low-viewed audience, through a description of the visual elements on the scene. To purchase tickets you must call Ticketline and then contact Image Blowers indicating the Final Cascais Opera show and ensure that everything is prepared for the best experience: 911 531 627 with sopradoresdeimagens@gmail.com.
The Competition is co-organized between the Association CIVOC, the Municipality of Cascais and the Foundation D. Luis I. It has the support of the Foundation “la Caixa”, in collaboration with the BPI, Égide – Associação Portuguesa das Artes, Fundação Millennium bcp, Turismo de Cascais, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Câmara de Lisboa, SRS Legal, Orquestra de Camara de Cascais e Oeiras, Leitão & Brother Jewelers, Hotéias Pestana, Hyundai. With RTP as a partner Media and the institutional partner of this contest is the National Theatre of São Carlos.
Program of the 2nd edition of Cascais Opera
Present Evidence
The face-to-face tests are free of charge and take place at the Cultural Center of Cascais
1st Proof – April 24 and 25
10h00 – 13h00 – 3h00 – 18h00
Semifinals – 27 and 28 April
27 April: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
28 April: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Masterclasses:
Free entrance to watch through room-filling.
26 April – 14:30 – 18:00
Masterclass with Sergei Leiferkus – Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães
Masterclass with Juliane Banse – Paula Rego House of Stories
Masterclass with Jennifer Larmore – Conservatory of Cascais Music
Masterclass with Aleksandar Nikolic – Cultural Center Of Cascais
27 and 28 April – 10:30 – 18:00
Acting Masterclass with Jorge Balça – Casa das Histórias Paula Rego
April 29 – 10:30 – 18:00
Masterclass with Sergei Leiferkus – Museum of the Counts of Castro Guimarães
Masterclass with Anna Samuil – Paula Rego House of Stories
Masterclass with Jennifer Larmore – Cascais Cultural Center
30 April – 15:00 – 18:00
Masterclass for External Singers:
Masterclass with Anna Samuil- House of Stories Paula Rego
Masterclass with Sergei Leiferkus – Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães
Semifinalists Concert
April 30 – Cascais Citadel Palace
Reservation of place: publicrelations@cascaisopera. with
Subject to room-filling and organization confirmation.
4 May – 17:00 – Grand Final
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
Tickets are already for sale on Ticketline and in the usual locations.
Always confirm with the concert hall or promoter the conditions of access, confirmation of the date or time, ticket place of sale, price, and availability.
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