The singers traveling to North Rhine–Westphalia come from five different continents. Six performers are from German-speaking countries. The number of men and women who will participate is the same: 21 female singers and 21 male singers, with sopranos making up the vocal range with the greatest number of contestants, at 14. Attached you will find an overview of all selected participants, including nationality and vocal range.
Facebook, Instagram and live stream: NEUE STIMMEN once again online
Opera fans and other interested parties can get to know the final-round contestants even before the event begins, since the young singers are creating video statements to introduce themselves to the public. Beginning August 23, the NEUE STIMMEN team will release one video a day on www.neue-stimmen.de until the competition begins on October 7.
The semifinals on October 12 and the finals on October 14 will be streamed live on www.neue-stimmen.de. In addition, the doors of the Gütersloh Stadthalle will open to the public on two days during the final round. Opera fans can sit in the audience during the dress rehearsals – from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 12 and 14 – watching "over the shoulders" of the up-and-coming performers as they make their final preparations for the semifinals and finals.
NEUE STIMMEN singers at the world's best-known opera houses
NEUE STIMMEN singers often go on to successful careers, something demonstrated by the current schedules of two former prizewinners: Nadine Sierra of the United States and Nicole Car of Australia. Both women won at the 2013 competition and are currently performing the lead roles in a new production of Puccini's La Bohème, which will premiere on September 11, opening the coming season at the Royal Opera House in London. Audiences at over 160 German cinemas will be able to see the singers perform when the production is broadcast on October 3 as part of the Royal Opera House's Live Cinema Season.
About NEUE STIMMEN:
Initiated in 1987 by Liz Mohn, president of NEUE STIMMEN and vice-chairwoman of the Bertelsmann Stiftung Executive Board, the NEUE STIMMEN International Singing Competition is considered one of the most important international events for young opera talents. The competition allows up-and-coming singers to make contact with jury members, opera house managers and agents. The NEUE STIMMEN competition has already helped many young artists launch major careers, including internationally renowned singers such as Christiane Karg, Nathalie Stutzmann, Marina Rebeka, Michael Volle, René Pape and Franco Fagioli.