In accordance with Article 9 of the Rules of the International Competition of Singers of Classical Music, the Committee of the International Competition of Singers of Classical Music (SGSM), the Municipality of Novo mesto and the Institute of Novo mesto, as part of the 10th festival of classical and similar music Sem glasba, sem mesto ("I Am Music, I Am the Town"), are launching a call for applications for
THE 7TH INTERNATIONAL SINGING COMPETITION (the SGSM singing competition)
The competition will be held for the following categories (genres):
1. OPERA
2. LIEDER DUET
The competition will be carried out in two stages:
- the selective singing competition in the OPERA category: Thursday, 27 March 2025,
- the selective singing competition in the LIEDER DUET category: Friday, 28 March 2025,
- the final competition in both categories: Saturday, 29 March 2025 in the form of a concert
- the final competition for the opera category will be accompanied by an orchestra.
RULES OF THE COMPETITION
The competition may be entered into by Slovenians and foreign nationals.
Age restriction: Female singers born after 1995 and male singers born after 1993 can apply.
By submitting an entry (sending an application) for the competition, the competitor agrees to the Rules of the Competition and undertakes to perform at the final concert. In such a case, the competitor shall waive any payment or financial compensation. The same shall also apply to the recording of the final concert.
APPLYING FOR THE COMPETITION
The entrants may register for the competition by submitting a filled-out application form available at
The following information must be included in the application form:
- full name of the entrant
- address: street, town, country
- year of birth, country of birth
- the chosen category (opera, lieder duet); the entrant may apply for one or both genres – in either case, they only pay one registration fee.
The following documentation/attachments must be submitted along with the application form:
- a PDF version of the application form with a handwritten signature by an adult entrant
- or a signature of the entrant's legal representative if the entrant has not yet reached the age of maturity (18),
- a PDF version of the birth certificate or a valid identity document
- a PDF document as proof of payment of the registration fee
- sheet music for the piano accompaniment in PDF format
- a short CV with a photo
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The application entries should arrive no later than 1st of March 2025. Any applications arriving after this date will not be considered.
The competition programme may not be altered after registration.
REGISTRATION FEE
- EUR 80.00 for the competitors who provide their own accompanist or EUR 100 for the competitors whose accompanists are provided by the organizer.
- EUR 160 for competitors performing in the singer-pianist duet category (total amount for both competitors)
The registration fee must be paid by 1st of February 2025 to the following account:
The Institute of Sports, Culture, Tourism and Youth Novo mesto
Novi trg 5
8000 Novo mesto
Current account: IBAN: SI 56 0110 0600 8342 993
SWIFT (BIC): BSLJSI2X , NLB, d. d., Podružnica Dolenjska, Seidlova cesta 3, Novo mesto
Reference number (must be entered): 00 21501
Description: SGSM registration fee
THE COMPETITION PROCESS AND SCHEDULE
The competition schedule is prepared for each day by the organizing committee of the competition on the basis of the list of registered competitors. The basis for the preparation of the competition schedule is the registered duration of each entrant's competition programme.
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND THE COMPETITION PROGRAMME
The terms and conditions specify the time limits, mandatory compositions and other requirements regarding the performance of the programme that do not automatically arise from the rules of the competition or this call for applications.
General provisions
- The competitors in both categories must perform the entire programme from memory in the original language and in accordance with standard performing practice.
- At the request of the committee or the organizer, the competitors must submit the sheet music of the performed compositions in the
original edition.
- The performances may not exceed the prescribed duration. The panel may interrupt the candidate if he or she exceeds
the permitted duration of the entire performance.
- The order of performers will be determined based on a random selection made by a computer application.
- The song order during individual performances may be chosen by the competitors themselves.
- A maximum of 6 competitors may advance to the next round from each category.
THE PROGRAMME
OPERA
The preliminary round – the duration of the performance may not exceed 10 minutes or be less than 6 minutes
a) at least three arias are required
- an aria by W. A. Mozart
- two arias of your own choice
The arias must be from different periods and in different languages (in the original language).
The finals
- three arias *
- the two arias must be from the list submitted by the organizer (for the finals with the orchestra)
- they must be in different languages
- they must be sung in the original language
- One aria from the selection competition can be repeated
LIEDER DUET
The preliminary round – the duration of the performance may not exceed 10 minutes or be less than 6 minutes
- a lied by the composer Robert Schumann
- a lied by a French composer
- a lied of your own choice
The finals – the duration of the performance may not exceed 20 minutes or be less than 15 minutes
- a song cycle or a selection from a song cycle or a theme lasting 10–15 minutes
- a lied by a Slovenian composer written after 1960 (the list of suggestions will be published by the organizer)
- a lied by a Slavic or Spanish composer
All the lieder must be sung in their original language.
PANEL OF JUDGES
Prof. Barbara Jernejčič Fürst, predsednica žirije, AG Ljubljana, Slovenija
Simone Maria Marziali, Agencija Musikos, Firenze, Italija
Winfried Hofinger, Agencija Hofinger, Nemčija
Prof. Nejc Lavrenčič, Zavod PerArtem, Slovenija
Prof. Snežana Nena Brzaković, Institut für Gesang und Atemschulung, Germany
AWARD CERTIFICATES, PLAQUES AND REWARDS
1st prize in the Opera category: the Municipality of Novo mesto Golden Plaque, EUR 1,000 brutto cash prize
1st prize in the Lieder Duet category: the Municipality of Novo mesto Golden Plaque, EUR 2000 brutto cash prize
2nd prize in the Opera category: the Municipality of Novo mesto Silver Plaque, EUR 500 brutto cash prize
2nd prize in the Lieder Duet category: the Municipality of Novo mesto Silver Plaque, EUR 1000 brutto cash prize
3rd prize in either category separately: the Municipality of Novo mesto Bronze Plaque
- A special prize awarded to a promising competitor below the age of 24.
- It is awarded for each of the categories separately.
SPECIAL PRIZES
Special prizes selected by the panel will also be awarded.
- Free tuition for a masterclass at the Carlo Bergonzi Academy with a role in a lyrical opera at Teatro Verdi in Busseto.
- Concert in Busseto.
- Free tuition for a masterclass.
- Concert by Glasbena Matica.
- Free masterclass by Glasbena Matica.
The organizer reserves the right not to award all prizes.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The contact person for providing information and clarification:
Matevž Novak, cultural coordinator 00386 (0) 51 390 082
Number: 1982-21501/2024
Novo mesto, 20th December 2024
Head of the SGSM Competition: Matevž Novak
Head of the SGSM Committee: Irene Akweley Yebuah Tiran, m.p.
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