SELECTION
Parma (IT), Fondazione Arturo Toscanini and Teatro Regio di Parma
Milano (IT), Conservatorio di musica Giuseppe Verdi
Palermo (IT), Teatro Massimo | Vienna (AT), Volskoper Wien
Sofia (BG), Sofia Opera and Ballet | Valencia (ES), Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia
Buenos Aires (AG), Teatro Colón | Batumi (GE), Batumi State Music Centre

COMPETITION
Busseto, 8 - 15 September 2023

WINNERS’ CONCERT
Roncole Verdi, Busseto (IT), 16 September 2023

Honorary President
Stefano Nevicati – Major of Busseto

Director of the Competition
Alberto Triola – General Manager and Artistic Director of the Fondazione Arturo Toscanini

JURY
Teatro alla Scala, Milano (IT)
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, Valencia (ES)
Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires (AR)
Sofia Opera and Ballet, Sofia (BG)
Fondazione Arturo Toscanini, Parma (IT)
Fondazione Teatro Regio di Parma, Parma (IT)
Wang Chuanyue, representative of the Voci Verdiane Competition - China,
and Stefano Nevicati, Mayor of Busseto, will also be part of the Jury

SPECIAL COMMISSION
(present at the Final only)
Superintendents and Artistic Directors of Italian Opera Foundations, Opera Houses and Italian Festivals

GUIDELINES

1. PLACE AND DATE
The 59th Voci Verdiane Competition will take place in Busseto (IT), at the Teatro Giuseppe Verdi, from the 8th to the 15th September 2023. On the 16th September the winners will perform in the Winners’ Concert in Roncole Verdi, in Giuseppe Verdi childhood home.

1.1 The Competition is divided into two phases:

Selection, which will follow the rules set by these guidelines.

Competition: This involves the elimination phase, semi-final, and final.
The final is divided into two rounds:
- Final-Stage: dramatic presentation/stage rehearsals on one of the chosen arias for the test. During this phase the jury will assess the candidate’s inclinations and aptitude from an acting and scenic perspective.
- Final-Concert: with the orchestra.

2. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The Competition is open to all candidates whose age is between 18 and 35 years for the tenor and soprano ranges, 38 for mezzo, contralto, baritone, and bass, by the 31st December 2023.

Accessibility
The competition is open to singers of all genres and nationalities, without any discriminatory constraint.
The competition undertakes to guarantee full accessibility also to candidates with physical, sensory and/or cognitive disabilities, who
are invited to indicate their specific needs in the registration form, in the section dedicated to Accessibility.
Candidates with 100% disabilities with appropriate certification will be entitled to a 50% reduction on the enrolment fee.

3. ENROLLING FOR SELECTION

3.1 Enrolment for the selection phase of the Competition must be submitted online by the deadline specified in point 4, via the QR code/link indicated in these guidelines. Candidates must also send:
- artist bio in Italian and English, no longer than 2000 characters spaces included;
- copy of valid ID (identity card or passport);
- copy of the receipt of the payment of the fee.

3.2 Incomplete or late submissions will not be taken into consideration. The Competition Organisation Secretary Office is not responsible for technological glitches which may impede the reception of the registration form by the specified time and in the means hereby illustrated.

3.3 Enrolments are open from 10 April 2023.

4. SELECTION AND ADMISSION TO THE COMPETITION

Each candidate may choose one of the two selection procedures to receive admission to the competition:

4.1 Selection by means of video recording to move on to the elimination phase.

The candidate must provide links to video recordings of two operatic arias (complete with recitative and cabaletta, where available), one of which must be by Giuseppe Verdi.
Each video recording must comprise of one aria only.
The recordings must each have the following characteristics:
- the title of the file should be: surname and name of the candidate, and the titles of the arias;
- they should last no longer than 15 minutes;
- the candidate should be seen frontally, and they must be completely visible.

The deadline for submissions for the selection via video recording is the 30 May 2023.

The judging panel will be made up of two representatives of the Artistic Direction of the Fondazione Arturo Toscanini and the Teatro Regio di Parma.

4.2 Selection by means of a live audition to move on to the semi-final test.

Live auditions will take place in the following places and dates:
12-13 June 2023 Sofia (BG), Sofia Opera and Ballet
15 June 2023 Valencia (ES), Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia
16-17 June 2023 Milano (IT), Conservatorio di musica Giuseppe Verdi
19-20 June 2023 Batumi (GE), Batumi State Music Centre
22-23 June 2023 Vienna (AT), Volskoper Wien
28-30 June 2023 Buenos Aires (AG), Teatro Colón*
deadline for enrolment on the 30 May 2023

3 July 2023 Parma (IT), Fondazione Arturo Toscanini/Teatro Regio di Parma
(for the YAP of Italian theatres)
4-5 July 2023 Palermo (IT), Teatro Massimo
deadline for enrolment on the 15 June 2023.

* Selections in this venue will only take place with a minimum of 35 participants.
Should there be fewer candidates and therefore the live selection not go ahead, the enrolled candidates will be able to proceed with the selection process following point 4.1, even beyond the deadline and with a revised enrolment fee.

Selections may take place in only one day out of the ones indicated for each venue.
Each candidate will present two operatic arias, one of which must be by Giuseppe Verdi.
The judging panel may decide to listen to the entirety or a part of the programme.
The Competition will provide a collaborative pianist. Scores for the chosen arias must be provided.
Each candidate may decide to come with their own collaborative pianist, but will have to undertake all their expenses.
The judging panel will be made up of a member of the Fondazione Arturo Toscanini or of the Teatro Regio di Parma, and a
member of the artistic direction team of the hosting theatre.

4.3 The full list of the candidates who have gained admission to the competition will be communicated by the 15 July 2023,
published on the website of the competition as well as via e-mail to the admitted participants.

4.4 In July 2023 the Voci Verdiane competition 2023 - China will be held in China, a competition that will take place independently in partnership with the Italian competition.
The winner of the Voci verdiane competition 2023 – China will be welcomed directly at the final in Busseto (Finale-Stage and Finale-Concerto); the candidates classified from second to eighth place will be admitted to the semi-final round.
The candidates admitted to the competition phase in Busseto, through the competition in China, will be required to comply with what is indicated and required by these guidelines.

5. ENROLMENT FEES

5.1 Fee for the selection phase:
There are two different fees for the enrolment to the selection phase:
- selection by means of an video recording: 40€
- live audition in one of the venues indicated in the present guideline: 60€

The enrolment fee must be paid in full no later than one week after the deadline via banker’s order/Paypal (any additional bank commissions must be paid by the candidate).

The candidate must send a copy of the receipt to testify to the payment; failure to do so will determine their exclusion from the selection.

5.2 Fee for the competition
The fee for participants admitted to the competition is 60€.

The fee must be paid in full by the 21 July 2023 via banker’s order/Paypal (any additional bank commissions must be paid by the candidate). The candidate must also send a copy of the receipt to testify to the payment; failure to do so will determine their exclusion from the Competition.

5.3 Please pay the relevant fees as follows:

Banker’s order
BANCO BPM – AG. 8 REGGIO EMILIA
IBAN: IT 62 P 05034 12808 000000025500 BIC/SWIFT: BAPPIT21510
to: Fondazione Arturo Toscanini

PayPal to amministrazioneweb@fondazionetoscanini.it

REASON: Name and Surname, chosen selection method (video recording or live audition) or enrolment to the Competition

5.4 The fees will be reimbursed only in case of cancellation of the Competition (point 12).

6. ADMITTED CANDIDATES

6.1. At the elimination phase on 8 September 2023 at the place and date which will be communicated to the e-mail address indicated in the registration form. The Competition Organisation Secretary Office is not responsible for technical problems in reaching the sender at the indicated address, or for any issues which may impede reception of communications sent. Absence upon convocation will be interpreted as resignation.

At the semi-final on 11 September 2023 at the Teatro Giuseppe Verdi in Busseto (PR), at the time which will be communicated to the e-mail address indicated in the registration form. The Competition Organisation Secretary Office is not responsible for the impossibility to reach the sender at the indicated address, or for cases of technological issues which may impede reception of communication. Absence upon convocation will be interpreted as resignation.

6.2 Candidates in need of a visa for their stay in Italy must indicate so in the registration form, specifying the details of the Consulate or Embassy to which the request will be forwarded. The Competition Organisation Secretary Office will send an invitation letter which the candidate can show to the institution. All candidates admitted to the competition must comply with the current Italian immigration laws for the entire duration of their sojourn in Italy.

7. SELECTION COMMITTEE, JUDGING PANEL, AND SPECIAL COMMITTEE

7.1 Selection phase: Committee
Selections by means of video recordings: 2 members of the Fondazione Arturo Toscanini and/or of the Fondazione Teatro Regio di Parma, and 1 member of the artistic direction of the hosting theatre.
Selections by means of a live audition: 2 members of the Fondazione Arturo Toscanini and/or of the Fondazione Teatro Regio di Parma, and 1 member of the artistic direction of the hosting theatre.

7.2 Competition
Elimination phase: 3 members of the artistic direction of the Fondazione Arturo Toscanini/ Fondazione Teatro Regio di Parma.

Semi-finals and Final: Judging panel and Special committee
The Judging panel of the Competition at the semi-finals will be made up of 7 members: a selection of 6 General Managers and Artistic Directors of international theatres, 1 President selected amongst the top singers of Verdi’s repertoire.

The Judging panel will assign the first three cash prizes. Each member of the Judging panel at the beginning of the Competition will issue a declaration stating they have no family or affinity relations with any of the participants. The members of the Jury who have or have had over the previous two years any educational relationships with any of the participants will abstain from voting.
This abstention will be recorded in the minutes of the Competition.
The direction of the Competition, in agreement with the President of the Judging panel, may call new members to join the Judging panel, should the designated ones not be able to be present due to the above mentioned circumstances.

Special committee: composed of General Managers and Artistic Directors of Italian opera houses and festivals. The special committee will be present only for the final concert on the 15 September 2023, and may award any finalist with individual artistic contract, regardless of the final classification. The contracts will be announced to the audience during the award ceremony.

The decision of the Competition Judging panel is final.

8. PROGRAMME, CALENDAR AND STEPS

8.1 The candidates must prepare the 5 arias indicated in their registration form, of which at least 3 must be by Giuseppe Verdi, chosen amongst those listed at point 10 of the present guidelines. They must be in the original language and key, and complete with recitative and cabaletta where available (repetition of the cabaletta is optional). The candidates must bring their own scores, and provide one for the collaborative pianist.

8.2 Calendar
After the selection phase, the Competition will follow the calendar below:

Competition
Elimination phase: 8, 9, 10 September 2023
Semi-final: 11, 12 September 2023
Final-Stage: 13 September 2023
Final-Concert: 15 September 2023

Musical and orchestral rehearsals, including with the orchestra for the Final Concert, will take place on the 14 September 2023.

On the 16 September the winners will perform in concert in Roncole Verdi, in the Giuseppe Verdi childhood home.

8.3 Development and programme for the Competition:

Elimination phase
8, 9, 10 September 2023 Teatro Giuseppe Verdi - Busseto
During the elimination phase the candidates will perform two arias: one by Giuseppe Verdi of their own choice, and a second one chosen by the Judging panel.

Semi-final
11, 12 September 2023 Teatro Giuseppe Verdi - Busseto
During the semi-final test the candidate will perform one or more arias chosen by the Judging panel among the ones indicated in the chosen programme.

During the elimination and semi-final, the candidate will be accompanied by the collaborative pianist provided by the Competition Direction, or by their own pianist, indicated during the enrolment phase and undertaking the entirety of their expenses.

Final
Finale-Stage
13 September 2023, Teatro Giuseppe Verdi - Busseto
The finalists will have 30 minutes to stage, following the indications of a director designated by the Competition Direction, one of the thee arias by Giuseppe Verdi chosen and communicated by the Judging panel, after the selection of the finalists (12 September), among the ones presented; the staging test will take place before the Judging panel who will assess the aptitude, the interaction with the director, and the talent for the acting.
During this Final-Stage the finalists will be accompanied at the piano, and they may decide not to sing in full voice during the direction phase. At the end of every rehearsal the aria under consideration will be performed in full voice. The Final-Stage may include extras, stage props and costumes.
The designated director will provide the Judging panel with their own assessment of the finalists’ tests, which the Judging panel will take into account.

Final-Concert
15 September 2023, Piazza Giuseppe Verdi - Busseto
Each finalist will perform an aria by Giuseppe Verdi, chosen and communicated by the Judging panel, after selecting the finalists (12 September), amongst the ones presented. The finalists will be accompanied by the Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini. The Competition Direction will choose the conductor.
On 14 September 2023 the finalists will be summoned for the music rehearsal with the conductor, and the rehearsal with the orchestra. These two rehearsals are not part of the Competition examination tests.
The Final Concert will take place on the 15 September 2023 in a time T.B.C., in Piazza Verdi in Busseto. In case of bad weather it will take place inside the Teatro Verdi.

The Semi-Final and the Final will be open to the public.

Winners’ concert
16 September 2023, Roncole Verdi, in Giuseppe Verdi childhood home.
The top thee winners, and other possible finalists indicated by the Judging panel, accompanied at the piano, will alternate in a music programme which will be defined by the Competition Direction.

8.4 The candidates admitted to the Competition will perform, divided by vocal register, in alphabetical order, starting from the lowest register and from the surname starting in A. This order will be maintained throughout the Competition. The candidates will receive via e-mail time and location details to the rounds they will take part in.
Candidates are expected to be punctual throughout the Competition. Any impediment or delay must be communicated immediately to the Competition Organising Secretary Office.
The Competition Direction, after consulting with the Judging panel, reserves all rights over the assessment of such cases, and their decision is final.

8.5 At the end of each Competition session, the names of those admitted to the following phase will be published on the dedicated roster. The evaluation of the Final-Stage and Final-Concerto will be expressed with a mathematical calculation (points in hundreds) resulting from the average of the votes given by the individual members of the Judging panel.

9. PRIZES

9.1 The Judging panel of the Competition will appoint the following prizes:
1st Prize – 8000 euros
2nd Prize - 5000 euros
3rd Prize – 3.000 euros
gross of withholding taxes.

Artistic engagements: the Special Committee, who will be present only during the Final Concert, may award individual artistic engagements to any finalist regardless of the final classification. The assigned engagements will be announced to the audience during the award ceremony.

9.3 The winners, Semi-finalists, and Finalists may also be engaged in operatic performances, concerts, or other events in the programmes of the Fondazione Arturo Toscanini season, of the Teatro Regio di Parma, and in the artistic activities programmed by the Comune di Busseto.

9.4 The Judging panel may decide not to assign prizes at all.
Special mentions and prizes may be made assigned.

10. VERDI REPERTOIRE
As indicated by the present guidelines, candidates admitted to the competition, must prepare five opera arias, of which at least three by Giuseppe Verdi exclusively chosen amongst those listed below. If one of the arias by Giuseppe Verdi chosen by the candidate should not be listed below, the Competition Secretary Office will request a substitution.
The arias must be performed in the original language and key, complete with recitative and cabaletta where available (repetition of the cabaletta is optional).

Any variation in the programme must be communicated by the 31 July 2023

11. AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDINGS
The Comune di Busseto and the Fondazione Arturo Toscanini have/reserve the right to record all phases of the Competition and the winner’s Concert. The participants, by signing the registration form, agree to hand over all rights to the Comune di Busseto
and the Fondazione Arturo Toscanini, including economic utilisation of said recordings.

12. COMPETITION CANCELLATION
Should the competition be cancelled due to extenuating circumstance, all registrations will be cancelled and fees will be reimbursed in full. This decision is final.

13. VALIDITY OF THE GUIDELINES
The present guidelines are published in Italian and English. The Italian guidelines have official and legal validity. In case of any controversy the Court in Parma has competence

INFORMATION
Secretary of the International Competition Voci Verdiane Città di Busseto
vociverdiane@latoscanini.it
www.vociverdiane.com