Have you ever dreamed of uncovering the secrets of the world’s greatest conductors?
The International Opera Conducting Competition (CIDOO) opens the doors to a world that is usually off-limits. From February 10 to 15, 2025, experience something truly unique: witness the birth of an opera production, gaining exclusive access to rehearsals typically reserved for insiders.
A rare glimpse into musical excellence
For the third time in Liège, the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège invites you into the heart of operatic creation at CIDOO. Observe the meticulous artistry of a conductor shaping a score, refining orchestral textures, and guiding voices to their fullest expression. This extraordinary opportunity offers a deeper understanding of the intricate creative process behind the making of an opera.
A competition as a living laboratory of musical creation
CIDOO offers an immersive experience at the heart of musical excellence, where the art of conducting is revealed in all its depth. Across four demanding and expertly crafted rounds, candidates will demonstrate their mastery of the many skills that define a great conductor. This rigorous progression, a true musical crescendo, allows the audience to appreciate the full subtlety of this exceptional craft:
- Preliminary rounds (February 10-11): mastery of fundamental conducting techniques and orchestral interpretation
- Quarter-finals (February 12): working with soloists and achieving a precise balance between the orchestra pit and the stage
- Semi-finals (February 13): the complex art of coordinating choral and orchestral forces
- Final concert (February 15): a musical apotheosis where all facets of opera artistry converge in a masterful interpretation of the greatest operatic repertoire
The essence of opera through its most iconic works
Step into the musical world of CIDOO 2025 and prepare to experience these masterpieces in all their glory throughout the competition:
- Great works from the operatic repertoire, from Mozart to Wagner
- Orchestral passages of striking complexity
- Iconic arias that challenge even the finest conductors
- Hidden gems of the repertoire, too often overlooked, such as Smetana’s The Bartered Bride or Auber’s Le Domino noir