The International Savonlinna Opera Festival Opera Singing Competition
July 20-25, 2010
Rules
I
The Savonlinna Opera Festival will hold its first International SOF Opera Singing Competition in Savonlinna on July 20-25, 2010. There will be one category, open to men and women of all nationalities born in or after 1980 and 1983, respectively.
II
Singers wishing to take part must submit an original, written and signed copy of the entry form to reach the Competition Secretariat not later than March 22, 2010 at: Savonlinna Opera Festival, International SOF Opera Singing Competition, Olavinkatu 27, FI-57130 Savonlinna, Finland.
Interest around the Savonlinna Opera Festival International Singing Competition has been high and we have received application from around the world. We have also received several concerned e-mails from potential contestants, who are afraid that their application will not reach our office in time for reasons that are out of their hands. To enable this competition to as many young singers as possible we have decided to extend the application deadline to Monday March 22nd. Entrants will be informed of whether they have been selected by April 12, 2010.
The signed entry form must be accompanied by the following documents:
• a copy of the entrant’s passport or other official proof of identity
• an account (not more than one page) of the entrant’s musical studies and concert experience
• any references and major reviews
• a DVD (DVD+/-, not DVD +/- rw) containing two opera arias with piano accompaniment, preferably from the entrant’s competition repertoire
• a photograph (measuring at least 9 x 12 cm) of the entrant. The photo may alternatively be sent by email as a jpg file to press@operafestival.fi
The DVD must not be edited. The place and date of the recording must be marked on the DVD.
Neither the entry form nor the attachments will be returned.
Entry forms sent by telefax or email will not be accepted. Nor will entry forms that lack any of the above information or that arrive after the last date for entries.
III
Should a limit need to be imposed on the number of contestants, the Competition Committee will make a preliminary selection based on the entry documents and DVDs. Entrants will be informed of whether they have been selected by April 1, 2010.
IV
Contestants will be provided with free bed and breakfast in private families in Savonlinna from July 19 to July 26. They will also be offered lunch. Each contestant will pay his or her own travelling expenses to Savonlinna and back. The Secretariat will book hotel rooms for any contestants who wish to stay at a hotel at their own expense. Any contestants requiring a visa for Finland must obtain it themselves.
V
Contestants may use the Competition’s accompanist. Before the first round contestants will have the right to a rehearsal lasting one hour with the accompanist. Contestants may, if they wish, bring their own accompanist at their own expense.
VI
The order of performance in the competition will be decided by lot at 12 noon on July 20, 2010 in Savonlinna. Each contestant must be present in person. The order of performance in the finals may have to be changed for reasons of expediency.
VII THE COMPETITION PROCEDURE AND REPERTOIRE
There will be two rounds in the competition, both public events. The order of the items to be performed is optional in both the first round and the finals. The same repertoire may not be sung in both the first round and the finals.
First round in Savonlinna, July 21-23, 2010
Not more than 20 contestants will be accepted for the first round.
Repertoire: two opera arias, one of which must be from an opera by W.A. Mozart.
Finals in Olavinlinna Castle, July 25, 2010
Six contestants will be selected for the finals.
Repertoire: two opera arias of the contestant’s choice
The contestants will be accompanied in the finals by the Savonlinna Opera Festival Orchestra.
VIII PRIZES
I prize €20,000
II prize €10,000
III prize € 5,000
The other three finalists will each receive a consolation prize of €1,000.
The Jury has the right to divide the prizes in some other way.
Special prizes may also be awarded.
IX
The competition organisers will have unlimited rights to broadcast and record, video tape, televise, film and produce discs of the competition performances and to show competition performances on the Internet and other data networks.
X
The original language of these Rules is Finnish. Any disagreements will be settled according to the Finnish version.