Over 1,000 opera talents from 73 countries apply for NEUE STIMMEN 2024

1,002 up-and-coming opera singers from 73 countries have applied for the 20th NEUE STIMMEN International Singing Competition this year. In the first of three selection rounds, all applicants go through a digital application process. In addition to providing information about their age, vocal range, training and stage experience, they are required to submit two opera arias on video. This is also a challenge for the jury: after viewing over 2,000 videos, 627 singers are currently given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities in person to the jury at one of the 13 international pre-selections. This second round, the so-called "live auditions", will take place from 11 April to 9 June in Amsterdam, Berlin, Cape Town, Frankfurt, London, Milan, Munich, New York City, Paris, Vienna, Warsaw, Yerevan and Zurich. 

"On the opera stage, it is not only a fascinating voice but also the personality, stage presence and charisma of each artist that inspire us. Live auditions in 13 major cities around the world are therefore an important component of our competition. I will be delighted if we can once again discover numerous promising new opera talents and pave the way for their international careers," says Liz Mohn, founder and CEO of the Liz Mohn Stiftung.

The screening of the applicants on-site will be performed by Brian Dickie, former general director of the Chicago Opera Theater, Sophie Joyce, casting director of the Opéra National de Paris and Evamaria Wieser, casting director of the Salzburg Festival. This year, the experienced trio will be joined by Samuel Gelber for the pre-selection in New York and the final round in Gütersloh. As a trained tenor and director of artistic planning at the Washington National Opera and a regular jury member at international singing competitions, the 34-year-old will contribute his expertise to NEUE STIMMEN 2024. 

Experience has shown that 40 to 45 talents can expect an invitation to the final round in Gütersloh. From 5 to 11 October, they will present their skills in the city's Stadthalle in front of all NEUE STIMMEN jury members and numerous representatives from the opera industry. Dominique Meyer, director of Teatro alla Scala in Milan, will once again chair the jury for the final round in 2024. 

The Liz Mohn Stiftung will be awarding a total of over €60,000 in prizes to the final-round-participants. Just as important are the interactions the singers will have with numerous representatives from the world of opera and culture. In addition, NEUE STIMMEN offers singers continuous career counselling and support through its own team as well as international opera experts as part of the "Creating Careers" initiative.

Just last October, twelve talented singers from the NEUE STIMMEN network were given the opportunity to further improve their skills working with experienced coaches during the International Masterclass in Gütersloh.