Propositions

56^th INTERNATIONAL ANTONIN DVORAK

SINGING COMPETITION

Karlovy Vary * November 4 - 11, 2022

A.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

1) The Antonin Dvorak International Singing Competition (hereinafter “the Competition”) is an international interpretative Competition for young vocalists and is declared and managed by the International Antonin Dvorak Vocal Centre), office at: Smeralova 40, CZ - 360 05 Karlovy Vary, (hereinafter “the Vocal Centre”)

  

2) The executive body of the Competition is the Secretariat, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   

    

3) The competition is announced in these categories with these age limits:

OPERA HOPES - women and men from 16 to 20 years of age, incl. (born between the years 2006 and 2002) Two-round competition taking place in one day

JUNIOR - women and men both up to 24 years of age, incl. (born in 1998 and younger)

Three-round competition, final round with Orchestra

OPERA - women and men both up to 35 years of age, incl. (born 1987 and younger)

Three-round competition, final round with Orchestra

SONG - women and men both up to 35 years of age, incl. (born 1987 and younger)

Two-round competition taking place in one day

Contestants can perform in one of the contests or in two of them maximum, but only in following combinations:

JUNIOR + SONG or OPERA + SONG or OPERA HOPES + SONG

   

The competition is not open in 2022 in the field of countertenor.

   

B.  EXPERT JURY

                        

1. The Competition has two Juries: a separate Jury for the OPERA HOPES category and a separate Jury for the rest of categories.
2. Both Juries shall be appointed by the director of the Vocal Centre.
3. The Juries decisions are final. All Jury meetings and sessions are closed and confidential.
4. Neither Juries nor the Competition organizers can inform contestants about the reasons for the Jury decisions.
5. Should there be any dispute regarding the interpretation of the Rules of the Competition, this will be resolved by the Director of the Competition.

C. RULES OF THE COMPETITION

1. The maximum number of competitors in each category is forty. After filling the capacity of a given category, the receipt of entries into this category will be terminated.
2. Contestants are required to proof their identity and age before the Competition starts.
3. Former winners of the 1^st prize of any category will not be admitted qualifying for the same category they have already won.
4. The order of contestants and their performances shall be determined by lot.
5. Constants must perform in a formal dress (an evening dress, suit…).
6. Contestants must sing by heart (incl. baroque arias).
7. The condition is the interpretation in original language version.
8. Songs composed by Antonin Dvorak can only be sung in the Czech language.
9. The sequence of compositions shall be decided by the contestant him/herself, at the enrolment at the latest.
10. In the 1st round, the Juries have the right to interrupt contestant’s performance in exceptional cases. This stop concerns one task of the 1st round only.
11. The director of the Competition and the Juries have the right to decide, at latest one day before the contest starts, about elimination of maximum one competition task of the 1^stnd round of any contest.
12. Usually, half the contestants from previous round of each contest shall proceed to the 2^nd and 3^rd rounds.
13. The laureates and winners of the JUNIOR and OPERA categories will perform at the Final concert with the orchestra on Friday, November 11, 2022.
14. Winners and laureates of the competition are obliged in case they are invited to perform once at a concert for the Vocal Centre during three years after the competition, with a symbolic honorary. Accommodation and travel costs will be covered by the organizer.

By signing the application, the contestants confirm their consent and compliance with competition regulations and conditions of the competition in 2021. By signing the application, the contestants give their consent to personal data processing.

  

D.  AWARDS AND PRIZES OF THE COMPETITION

Regarding the point’s results of the second and third rounds the Jury decides about awards and diplomas. The Jury may decide to divide or fuse awards, excluding the first prizes. The first prizes cannot be divided. The prizes may be divided regarding the financial conditions of the organizer. The Jury may also decide not to award a prize if the performances do not reach a desirable level.

   

OPERA HOPES - WOMEN

1. Prize 6.000 CZK

2. Prize 4.000 CZK

3. Prize 3.000 CZK

   

OPERA HOPES - MEN

1. Prize 6.000 CZK

2. Prize 4.000 CZK

3. Prize 3.000 CZK

   

SONG in absolute order of women and men

1. Prize 20.000 CZK

2. Prize 10.000 CZK

3. Prize   6.000 CZK

   

JUNIOR - WOMEN

1. Prize 20.000 CZK

2. Prize 10.000 CZK

3. Prize   6.000 CZK

   

JUNIOR - MEN

1. Prize 20.000 CZK

2. Prize 10.000 CZK

3. Prize   6.000 CZK

   

OPERA - WOMEN

1. Prize 25.000 CZK

2. Prize 15.000 CZK

3. Prize   8.000 CZK

   

OPERA - MEN

1. Prize 25.000 CZK

2. Prize 15.000 CZK

3. Prize   8.000 CZK

   

Prices in the amount of CZK 10,000 or more (also in the case of price cumulating) will be taxed with 15% according to the tax law.

 

 

Special Prizes for 2022

The Prizes of the Czech and Slovak opera stages are defined when awarded usually as guest appearance in an opera role in next two seasons. In 2022 will be awarded:

• The Prize of the National Theatre Prague
• The Prize of the National Theatre Brno
• The Prize of the National Theatre Bratislava, Slovakia
• The Prize of the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre Ostrava
• The Prize of the J. K. Tyl´s Theatre Plzen
• The Prize of the Opera of the National Theatre in Belgrad, Serbia 
• The Prize of the Czech Radio Vltava and the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra
• The prize of the International Music Festival Prague Spring
• The Prize of the Bohuslav Martinů Foundation
• The Prize of PhDr. Zdeněk Levý, Director of the Pilsen Czech Radio
• The Prize of Petr Čech, MgA. ArtD., Director of the Prague Conservatoire
• The Conductor František Drs Prize
• The Jarmila Novotná Prize
• The Vilém Zítek Prize
• The Prize of the Antonín Dvořák Society
• The Antonín Dvořák Prize
• The Gustav Mahler Prize
• The Prize of the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra
• The Prize of Ing. Petr Kuhánek, the Governor of the Karlovy Vary Region
• The Prize of Mahler Music Siciety in Humpolec
• Bärenretier Prize for holders of the 1st, the 2nd and the 3rd Prize in the SONG contest
• The Beno Blachut Prize
• The Josef Hercl Prize
• The Milan Bürger Prize
• The Carangelo Belcanto Academy Prize I. and II.
• The Eva Randova Prize for the interpretation of an opera aria
• The Prize of Prague-American Friends of the Karlovy Vary Singing Competition
• The Voice Centre Prague Prize
• The Prize for the best interpretation of aria by German composer of the 18^th or 19^th century awarded by Georg Fischer from Germany
• The Jan Lucembursky Prize awarded by George Piper from Luxembourg.
• The Prize of the Director of Bohemia-Lázně a.s.
• The Prize of the Audience Jury

Other awards and prizes are in negotiation.

Special interpretative prizes will be realized without the participation of the artistic agencies.

   

  

E. TIME-TABLE OF THE COMPETITION

   

Friday 04. 11. 2022 / ELISABETH SPA / 09:00 – 16:30

I. and II. Round of the OPERA HOPES contest

   

Friday 04. 11. 2022 / Hotel KRIVÁŇ / 20.30

Opening of the Competition with drawing lots of the JUNIOR and OPERA contests

Results announcement of the competition OPERA HOPES

   

Saturday 05. 11. 2022 / ELISABETH SPA / 09:30 – 18:30

I. Round of the JUNIOR contest

   

Sunday 06. 11. 2022 / ELISABETH SPA / 09:30 – 18:30

I. Round of the OPERA contest

    

Monday 07. 11. 2022 / ELISABETH SPA / 13:00 – 18:30

II. Round of the JUNIOR contest

   

Tuesday 08. 11. 2022 / ELISABETH SPA / 13:00 – 18:30

II. Round of the OPERA contest

    

Wednesday 09. 11. 2022 / ELISABETH SPA

I. and II. Round of the SONG contest / 09:30 – 18:30

    

Thursday 10. 11. 2022 / KARLOVY VARY MUNICIPAL THEATRE / 15:00 – 18:00

Final rounds of the JUNIOR and OPERA contests

Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra, conductor Jiří Štrunc

    

Thursday 11. 11. 2022 / Hotel KRIVÁŇ / 21:00

Festive results announcement

    

Friday 11. 11. 2022 / KARLOVY VARY MUNICIPAL THEATRE / 19:00

Festive opera concert of winners and laureates with orchestra and awarding ceremony

Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra, conductor Jiří Štrunc

   

CHANGES in time-schedule of the beginning and closing of each contest round reserved!

   

  

F. COMPULSORY COMPOSITIONS FOR CONTESTANTS

 

Enclosed to the competition conditions the organizer issues the repertory annex, which is a suggestion or orientation for choice of respective tasks.

This list must be respected by contestants in the 3^rd rounds of JUNIOR and OPERA contests.

 

 

 

The OPERA HOPES category is intended for future opera and concert singers, conservatory students, music grammar schools, etc. The category is evaluated by an independent jury. The OPERA HOPES category will take place in two rounds in one day and there will be elimination after the first round.

Approximately half of the competitors from the first round will advance to the second round of the competition based on the jury's point evaluation. The announcement of the results of individual competition rounds will take place approximately one hour after the end of the competition performances of the given day at the place of the competition.

   

 

I. round – duration up to 9 minutes

1. A song composed by Antonin Dvorak in the printed edition for the voice field of the competitor's choice.
2. A vocal piece composed by an author of Italian baroque (e. g. G. G. Carissimi, M. A. Cesti, A. Scarlatti, A. Caldara, B. Marcello. G. B. Pergolesi, G. Giordani…) or by G. F. Händel.

   

II. round – duration up to 10 minutes

1. An opera aria of the competitor's choice.
2. An artificial song of the competitor's choice

    

 

Contestants in the SONG-contest cannot repeat the same song in both rounds of the SONG-category. If a contestant chooses the song written by Antonin Dvorak for the second task of the second round, this song must be from a different song cycle than the contestant will choose for the second task of the first round.

Contestants with combination JUNIOR + SONG must for the SONG contest choose a different song from the one they choose for the JUNIOR contest.

    

    

1^st round – duration up to 12 minutes        

1.  A song written by F. Schubert, J. Brahms, R. Schumann, C. Loewe, H. Wolf, G. Mahler, or R. Strauss - in the printed edition for each voice field.

2.  A song from song cycles composed by Antonin Dvorak from following possibilities in the printed edition for the voice field sung in the Czech language:

1. Love Songs, Op. 83 – soprano, tenor: No. 1 or 6
2. Biblical Songs, Op. 99 – mezzo-soprano, alto, baritone, bass: No. 4 or 5
3. Gypsy Melodies, Op. 55 – all voice categories: No. 4 or 7
4. Evening Songs, Op. 3 (lyrics by Vitezslav Halek) – baritone: No. 2 or 3

3.  A song of the contestant’s choice composed by a Czech composer or a composer of contestant’s nationality from the 19^th or the 20^th Century.

   

   

Final - 2^nd round - duration up to 12 minutes

1.  A song by a Russian or French or Polish composer in the compositional style of romantics of the 19^th or the 20^th century - in the printed edition.

2.  A song by Antonin Dvorak – from following possibilities in the printed edition for the given voice field sung in the Czech language:

a)         Love Songs, Op. 83 – soprano, tenor

b)          Biblical Songs, Op. 99 – mezzo-soprano, alto, baritone, bass

c)          Gypsy Melodies, Op. 55 – all voice categories

d)          Evening Songs, Op. 3 (lyrics by V. Hálek) – baritone

e)          Songs, op. 2 (lyrics by G. Pfleger-Moravský) – soprano, tenor

f)           In Folk Tone, Op. 73 - for higher and lower voice

or

a song of the contestant’s choice from song cycles by Bohuslav Martinů according to voice categories in original version:

a)       Three Songs to poems by G. Apollinaire, H. 197/ middle voice

b)       Two Songs on Negro Folk-Poetry, H. 226/ middle voice

c)       Nipponari - seven songs for female voice, H. 68 / alt

3.  A song or part of a cycle in the 20^th or 21^st century compositional style of the contestant's choice (duration minimum 4 minutes and maximum 6 minutes).

As the compositional style of the 20th century is not considered a neo-romanticism based mostly on the musical tradition of the 19th century (e. g. the songs of G. Mahler, R. Strauss, S. Rachmaninov, early songs by A. Berg, etc.).

You can find a range of suitable authors for the selection of works in the 20th or 21st century compositional style on www. singingcompetition.eu.

  

 

  

 

    

Contestants of the JUNIOR contest always choose a different song or aria for the first two rounds of the JUNIOR contest. Contestants of the JUNIOR contest can repeat the aria from the 1^st or 2^nd round in the 3^rd round with orchestra. The Repertory Annex must be respected by contestants in the 3^rd round of JUNIOR. Contestants, who take part also in the SONG contest, choose different songs for each category.

    

1^st round - duration up to 12 minutes

1)  Mandatory song from the Antonín Dvořák cycle in the original key and in the Czech language

Soprano:  Love Songs, Op. 83 – No. 2 „V tak mnohém srdci mrtvo jest“

 or  In Folk Tone, Op. 73 – No. 1 „Dobrú noc“

Mezzo-soprano, alto:     Biblical Songs, Op. 99 – No. 10 „Zpívejte Hospodinu píseň novou”

or , Op. 73 – „Ach není, není tu“

Tenor:      Love Songs, Op. 83 – No. 3 „Kol domu se teď potácím“

or Gypsy Melodies, Op. 83 – „Aj kterak trojhranec můj“             

Baritone:  Gypsy Melodies, Op. 55 – No. 6 „Široké rukávy“

or Biblical Songs, Op. 99 – „Popatřiž na mne a Smiluj se nade mnou“

Bass:      Biblical Songs, Op. 99 – No. 1 „Oblak a mrákota“

or Biblical Songs, Op. 99 – „Popatřiž na mne a smiluj se nade mnou“

2)  A vocal piece from the baroque or classicism period. In case of baroque aria, the chosen piece will be performed without Da Capo al Fine.

3)  An opera aria of the competitor's choice.

        

Semi-final - 2^nd round - duration up to 15 minutes

    

1.   A song written in a romantic or new-romantic compositional style of the 19^th century in the original printed edition with a possibility of unique style overlap of the piece creation in the first half of the 20^th century.

    

2.   An opera aria by a Czech composer or a composer of contestant’s nationality.

Upon request, the organizer provides information about Czech arias for different voice categories.

   

3.   An opera aria of the contestant's choice.

To fulfill the tasks determined in points 2 and 3, the candidate shall make his/her choice so that two arias by a composer of the same nationality are avoided.

     

Final - 3^rd round - duration up to 6 minutes

    

One aria accompanied by orchestra selected from the Repertory Annex performed in original printed edition.

 

 

 

       

Contestants in the OPERA contest shall not repeat any aria in the tasks of all rounds of the OPERA category. The Repertory Annex must be respected by contestants in the 3^rd round.

          

1^st round - duration up to 12 minutes

     

1. An opera aria from the baroque or classicism period. In case of baroque aria, the chosen piece will be performed without Da Capo al Fine.

2. An aria from any opera, cantata, mass, or oratorio written by Antonin Dvorak performed in original printed edition.

3. An opera aria of the contestant’s choice performed in original printed edition.

    

   

Semi-final – 2^nd round - duration up to 15 minutes

  

1.  A vocal piece in the compositional style of the 20^th or 21^st century.

As the compositional style of the 20th century is not considered a neo-romanticism based mostly on the musical tradition of the 19th century (e.g. the songs of G. Mahler, R. Strauss, S. Rachmaninov, early songs by A. Berg, L. Janáček, etc.).

  

2.  An opera aria by a 19^th century composer of the contestant’s choice, performed in original printed edition.

   

3.   An opera aria of the contestant’s choice performed in original printed edition.

   

   

Final – 3^rd round - duration up to 6 minutes

     

One aria accompanied by orchestra selected from the Repertory Annex in original printed edition.

 

   

G.   APPLICATION

Applications together with a portrait photo and the payment confirmation are to be posted to the address of the Secretariat by October 1, 2022. Contestants and pianists and escorts of contestants who need to apply for a visa to enter the Czech Republic must send their application to the address of the Secretariat by September 16, 2022 together with a copy of personal data in their passport.

   

Attached to the application should be a legible list of pieces selected for performance in accordance with the Competition conditions, stating the duration in minutes of each piece, written carefully in Latin characters.

   

With signature of the application form contestants irreversibly agree with the conditions of the Competition. By signing the application, the contestants give their consent to personal data processing.

   

In view of the limited number of participants in each category, we recommend sending the application as soon as possible.

    

    

H.   FEE

Participants in the contest shall pay an application fee.

OPERA HOPES:      130 €

song:                         170 €

JUNIOR:                      260 €

OperA:                330 €

In case of participation in two contests, a discount for the SONG contest will apply.

Combination JUNIOR + SONG:         325 €

Combination OPERA + SONG:          395 €

Combination OPERA HOPES + SONG: 210 €

   

The contestant is obliged to pay the whole fee by October 1, 2022.

Payment must be made in full amount (with bank fees on the competitor's side).

   

In the case the applicant cannot participate for serious reasons, the registration fee, after deduction of the 15% handling fee, will be returned to the account of the applicant. 

   

!!! IMPORTANT NOTICE !!!

Participation in the Competition will be confirmed only to those applicants, who will send a payment confirmation together with the application to the e-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Bank details (payments in EUR):

UniCreditBank Czech Republic Karlovy Vary, Zeyerova street, 360 01 Karlovy Vary

Account No: 5149130009 / 2700

IBAN CZ7227000000005149130009             

SWIFT (BIC): BACX CZ PP

Please, write down the full name of the organizer and owner of the account:

Mezinarodni pevecke centrum Antonina Dvoraka to the beneficiary address on your payment order.

Address of the owner of our account is: Šmeralova 40, CZ-360 05 Karlovy Vary

In case of electronic payment please enter contestant´s name and the chosen category into the message to the recipient.

  

I.   ACCOMMODATION

   

For all categories – If a competitor requests a reservation for accommodation outside of the competition dates (e. g. she/he arrives early or departs later), the organizer will arrange accommodation at the cost of the participant for a symbolic price of 500 CZK per person / night in a double room without breakfast. In the case the request for accommodation in a single room, the organizer can arrange this according to the free capacity of the hotel for CZK 900 per night. Accommodation in a single room can be arranged only in case of free hotel capacity.

Accommodation fees can only be paid in cash upon registration (not by credit card).

The hotel breakfasts in form of a buffet for the whole time of the stay can be bought in the Reception of the Hotel Kriváň for a convenient price.

  

   

The arrival of the OPERA HOPES contest competitors is expected on Thursday, November 3, 2022. The draw of lots will take place during the enrollment. Competitors of this category will have a hotel accommodation without breakfast from Thursday 3.11.2022 to Friday 4.11.2022 (until 12:00) in a double room with another competitor at the expense of the organizer. In case of an earlier arrival or stay in Karlovy Vary after the end of the OPERA HOPES category, the participants will pay the accommodation themselves. Those interested in this possibility will inform the competition secretariat about their arrival (departure) and the secretariat will book a hotel accommodation with other competitors in a double room without breakfast for 500 CZK per person per night. This amount will be paid at the enrollment.

If participants in the competition require accommodation in single rooms, the extra supplement 400 CZK for each night (including the night of Thursday 3.11.2022 to Friday 4.11.2022) will be paid cash during the enrollment. Accommodation in a single room can only be arranged in case of free hotel capacity.

 

  

The arrival of the JUNIOR contest competitors is expected on Friday, November 4, 2022 if possible until

18:00 o´clock. For the duration of the first round, they pay the accommodation themselves, that means until Sunday 06.11.2022 till 12:00 o´clock. The competition secretariat will reserve the hotel accommodation with another competitor in a double room without breakfast for the first round for a total amount of CZK 1000 per person and two nights. The amount will be paid cash only at the enrolment, not by a credit card!

If participants in the competition require accommodation in single rooms, they will pay extra supplement 400 CZK for each night and room (regardless of the procedure in the competition) cash during the enrolment. The organizer will provide the accommodation without breakfast for contestants who advanced to II. round of the JUNIOR contest from Sunday 06.11.2022 till one night after their last performance in the competition, except for the supplement for a single room.

The organizer will provide the accommodation without breakfast for contestants who advanced to the final round until the end of the Competition (till Saturday 12.11.2022 in the morning) except the single room supplement (CZK 400/night). Accommodation in a single room can only be arranged in case of free hotel capacity.

   

    

The arrival of the OPERA contest competitors is expected on Friday, November 4, 2022, eventually on Saturday, November 5, 2022.  

For the duration of the first round, they pay the accommodation themselves, that means until Monday 07.11.2022 till 12:00 o´clock. The competition secretariat will reserve the hotel accommodation with another competitor in the double room without breakfast for the first round for a total amount of CZK 500 per person and night regarding the exact arrival date. The amount will be paid at the enrolment in cash.

If participants in the competition require accommodation in single rooms, they will pay extra supplement 400 CZK for each night and room (regardless of the procedure in the competition) cash during the enrolment.The organizer will provide the accommodation without breakfast for contestants who advanced to II. round of the OPERA contest from 7.11.2022 till one night after their last performance in the competition, except for the supplement for a single room.

The organizer will provide the accommodation without breakfast for contestants who advanced to the final round until the end of the Competition (till Saturday 12.11.2022 in the morning) except the single room supplement (CZK 400/night). Accommodation in a single room can only be arranged in case of free hotel capacity.

   

The arrival of the SONG contest competitors is expected on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

The organizer will provide the accommodation without breakfast in a double bedroom with another participant for al contestants in the SONG category from Tuesday November 8, 2022, until Thursday November 10, 2022.

Winners of the first, the second and the third prize of the SONG contest will have accommodation till Saturday 12.11.2022 (morning) provided by organizer on his costs, except for the supplement for a single room.

If participants in the competition require accommodation in single rooms, they will pay extra supplement 400 CZK for each night and room (regardless of the procedure in the competition) during the enrolment. Accommodation in a single room can only be arranged in case of free hotel capacity.

   

The organizer does not cover any accommodation costs for accompanists, for guides or family members of the contestants. The organizer shall reserve rooms for them upon request at their own costs, the price for one person without breakfast being 600 CZK in a double room for each night, in case of a single room the price is 900 CZK for each night without breakfast. Accommodation in a single room can only be arranged in case of free hotel capacity.

  

   

    

J.   PIANO ACCOMPANISTS

• Accompanists should be provided by the respective schools at their cost.
• Should a contestant be unable to provide an accompanist of his/her own, he/she will notify the organizer of the fact in his/her application.
• The organizer shall provide an accompanist for piano accompaniment of the OPERA HOPES competition performances for a lump-sum 250 CZK (10 EUR). Please transfer the amount to our account together with the registration fee.
• The organizer shall provide an accompanist for piano accompaniment of the SONG competition performances for a lump-sum 400 CZK (16 EUR). Please transfer the amount to our account together with the registration fee. Contestants asking for a pianist must send copies of non-traditional music material of their repertory with the application – especially works in the 20. and the 21. Century compositional style (for their assigned accompanist).
• The organizer shall provide an accompanist for piano accompaniment of the JUNIOR and OPERA competition performances for a lump-sum 600 CZK (24 EUR). Please transfer the amount to our account together with the registration fee. Contestants also must send copies of non-traditional music material of their repertory with the application – especially works in the 20. and the 21. Century compositional style (for their assigned accompanist). In case the contestant will not proceed the second round, a part of the lump-sum 300 CZK (12 EUR) will be returned.
• Places, where pianos will be situated, will be announced at the enrolment.
• Contestants can test the acoustics in the hall where the competition will take place outside the competition schedule before the start or after the end of the competition day, possibly on lunch break. We assume timeframe of about three minutes for each singer.

   

   

    

   

   

K. CONCLUDING PROVISIONS

   

The regulations in this document shall be understood to be valid for the International Antonin Dvorak Singing Competition in 2022.

   

Information about music notes of song cycles by Antonin Dvorak and of the Czech opera arias or orientation for preparation of your competitive repertoire using the works of authors in the composition-style of the 20^th and 21^st centuries you can find at www.singingcompetition.eu