“THE VOICE OF KAMEN” - INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FOR YOUNG TENORS

The mission of the competition “The Voice of Kamen” is to pay tribute to and continue the life of the ideas and the understanding of the Tenor Kamen Chanev about the essence of the opera. His biography is a memorable part of the history of the best opera theatres and his voice is among the voices that belong to eternity. The international career of Kamen Chanev passed through the stages of the Vienna State Opera, the Opera of Rome, La Scala, Arena di Verona, the Washington Opera, the State Opera of Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Bucharest, Canada, theatres in the USA, Japan, China, New Zealand and the most prestigious music forums in the world. The world-renowned tenor is a student of Aleksandrina Milcheva, Boris Christov and Ghena Dimitrova. Among his outstanding appearances are the roles of Renato des Grieux, Andrea Chenier, Mario Cavaradossi, Manrico, Don Carlos, Radames, Calaf, among many others. Riccardo Muti delightfully called him “a Puccini singer” and Kamen Chanev believed in the orphic origin of the Bulgarian voices and their primary role in the world of classic art. Kamen lost his life tragically, stricken by COVID-19, just a few days after he recreated uniquely the peak of the tenor repertoire - the role of Verdi’s Otello. His last role is the gift, with which he gave the best of him to the art of opera.

The competition “The Voice of Kamen” is an opportunity for young tenors from all over the world to transcend the message of full devotion and honesty towards Art, which was so important to one exceptional tenor. A tenor, who is part of the most valuable history of the Opera world.

The competition will take place from 22nd to 26th August, 2022 in TWO professional rounds in front of an international jury, which will be representing “Voice” as a musical talent. There will be a THIRD optional round, which will focus on the personal message of the singer, where the participants will be assessed by the audience.

GENERAL

The first international competition for young Tenors “The Voice of Kamen” is organized within the annual opera festival OPERA OPEN with the support of “Kamen Chanev Foundation” and the Plovdiv State Opera. The international competition preserves a serious competition profile, characterized by a professional Jury of international prestige, but combines this profile with a modern approach to how it is actually organized.This innovative approach positions the participants as “young ambassadors of music” from numerous venues of the eternal city of Plovdiv.

TERMS OF PARTICIPATION AND REGULATIONS

Young opera singers - tenors, Bulgarian and foreign citizens, over 22 years and under 37 years of age are eligible to take part in the competition. Applications must be submitted electronically and only through the official portal for application.

The organizers of the competition will determine the members of the jury. The tenor, composer and conductor José Cura will be Chair of the Jury.

 REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

А) Application Form
B) Current portrait photo of the participant (resolution 300 dpi, JPEG format)
C) Professional CV in English (PDF format, max 1 page)
D) Proof of payment for the participation fee

The participation fee is EUR 35.

The fee shall be paid by bank transfer to the following account of State opera - Plovdiv:

Name of the Bank : UniCredit Bulbank  
Address : 4, Ivan Vazov str., 4000 Plovdiv
IBAN: BG08UNCR75273154592001
BIC : UNCRBGSF
The registration fees are non-refundable.

The deadline for application for the International Competition for Young Tenors “The Voice of Kamen” is 10th June 2022.

We strongly recommend that you submit your application before the deadline and not on 10th June.

If you have any other questions, please contact us at the mail :

office@kamenchanev.org

PRELIMINARY VIDEO SELECTION

You may upload your audition video as part of the application via a link to YouTube or Vimeo. It must include recordings of two contrasting in style opera arias by choice of the applicant, preferably in different languages. If you are selected to take part in the competition, you may choose whether to include or not these arias in your competition repertoire.

All videos must meet the following requirements :

Only high quality and recent videos will be accepted (recorded within the last year)
Opera arias must be from different composers
Arias must be performed in the original language, their original tonality and in their complete form (without cuts)
Only piano accompaniment or live orchestra will be accepted (pre-recorded orchestra accompaniment will not be allowed)
Only 2 opera arias will be accepted
The pre-selection jury will assess every recording and will choose the best applicants for participation in the competition.

The selected applicants will be notified until 27th June.

The first and the second round will be carried out with a piano accompaniment in the concert hall of the House of Culture “Boris Christov”, Plovdiv. The organizers will not cover travel and accommodation expenses. The organizers will provide an opportunity for hotel accommodation at discount prices.

The participants will sing in the order determined by lot, drawn on the day before the beginning of the competition.

***Each aria (text and music) must be performed in its original language, complete form, original tonality (key), at a 440Hz standard, and by memory.

Please be sure that you have an appropriate outfit for the two professional rounds and the optional performance in the third round. Formal dress code for the Gala Concert is mandatory.
 

COMPETITION SCHEDULE

21.08.2022 – Date of arrival in Plovdiv for all selected participants, drawing lots, rehearsals.

22.08.2022 – 1st ROUND

- One aria at the applicant’s choice from the five arias listed in the application form.

- One aria at the jury’s choice from the five arias listed in the application form. (If possible, arias must be from different composers and different time-periods).

Arias must be performed in their original language, complete form, original tonality (key), at a 440Hz standard, and by memory.

            Applicants who are not selected to advance to the second round, will be able to compete in the Optional Third Round for the Prize of the Audience.

23.08.2022 – 2nd ROUND

- One aria at the applicant’s choice other than the one performed at the first round.

- One aria at the applicant’s choice from Kamen Tchanev’s repertoire.

Both 1st and 2nd rounds shall be carried out with piano accompaniment and both will take place  in the concert hall of the House of Culture “Boris Christov”, Plovdiv. The organizers may provide a corepetiteur/pianist, if specifically requested in the application form. The organizers will NOT be responsible for the expenses of hiring the corepetiteur/pianist.
 

24.08.2022 – THE ARTIST AND PLOVDIV  - SELECTION BY THE AUDIENCE / OPTIONAL

            Participants of all rounds will be able to compete for THE PRIZE OF THE AUDIENCE – “THE SINGER AND PLOVDIV”. The 3rd round is optional and will not a part of the mandatory schedule of the competition. It includes performances on improvised venues – places emblematic for Plovdiv City. The participants may choose to present their authentic musical culture or perform at their choice – an operetta aria, a song from a musical, canzone napoletana, zarzuela, an aria or a song by a Bulgarian composer.

            The third round focuses on the personal message of the singer and their performance will be judged entirely by the audience.

25.08.2022 – Dress-rehearsal of the finalists for the Gala Concert at the Ancient Theatre in Plovdiv.

26.08.2022 – GALA CONCERT AND REWARDS CEREMNOY AT THE ANCIENT THEATRE.

The concert will be accompanied by the orchestra of the Plovdiv State Opera under the direction of Maestro Jose’ Cura.

27.08.2022 - Alternative date for the Gala Concert in case of poor weather conditions the previous evening.

JURY

CHAIR OF THE JURY

José Cura - Tenor, Composer, Conductor

MEMBERS OF THE JURY
2. Tanya Ivanova - Soprano, founder of “Kamen Tchanev Foundation”

3. Krassimira Stoyanova - Soprano, Kammersängerin of the Vienna State Opera

4. Luciano Di Martino – Conductor, Artistic Director - Plovdiv State Opera

5. Speranza Scappucci - Conductor

6. Vladimir Kiradzhiev - Conductor

7. Professor Mario Diaz - Tenor, Dean of the Mozarteum University Salzburg

8. Andreas Dellert - Managing Director for Hilbert Artist Management

9. Ognyan Draganov - Director of the State Opera - Stara Zagora

10. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nina Naydenova - Director of the Plovdiv State Opera

The organizers of the competition are selecting the members of the Jury.
The Jury may decide not to reward all prizes. The decision of the Jury is final.

PRIZES

FIRST PRIZE – EUR 3000.    

SECOND PRIZE – EUR 2000.

THIRD PRIZE – EUR 1000.

SPECIAL PRIZES

Prize of the Opera Star Krassimira Stoyanova - EUR 2000.

Prize of the Audience - THE SINGER AND PLOVDIV.

Prizes from the sponsors of the competition.

Prize of the Municipality of Plovdiv.

Prize of the State Opera of Stara Zagora – a contract for participation in an opera production.

Prize of the Plovdiv State Opera – “Kamen Chanev. For Integrity in Art” and a contract for participation in an opera production.

A project idea of State Opera - Plovdiv, with Foundation 'Kamen Chanev' part of the LEGACY programme of Plovdiv - European Capital of Culture.