2021-2022

International Opera Conducting Competition

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Rules of the International Opera Conducting Competition – Fondation Polycarpe

2nd edition – Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège

The competition is open to applicants from all nationalities born after 1st January 1985.

Applicants must complete the on-line registration pack available on the web site www.operaliege.be and send it before 1st April 2022 to the e-mail address: conductor@operaliege.be.

This registration pack must imperatively include the following documents:

  • A personal information sheet.
  • A detailed curriculum vitae.
  • A video recording (sent exclusively via the WeTransfer file transfer platform).
  • A high-resolution portrait type photograph.
  • A copy of the applicant’s passport.

Any falsified information or material shall render the application null and void.

  • The curriculum vitae must mention the musical background and career of the applicants: studies carried out, names of teachers, significant steps in applicants’ musical activities, the competitions in which they have participated, prizes obtained, etc.
  • The video recording must show the applicants in the process of conducting (as seen from the orchestra). Only files sent via WeTransfer shall be accepted. The applicants shall clearly state the titles of the pieces of music recorded as well as the date and duration of the recording using the form intended for this purpose. The competition organisers guarantee that the videos provided by the applicants shall be used for selection purposes only and no further usage shall be carried out. The applicants are responsible for obtaining the prior agreements with regard to copyright and/or image rights concerning these recordings.

COMPETITION ADDRESS

Secrétariat du Concours International de Chefs d’orchestre d’Opéra
Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège
Rue des Dominicains, 1
B – 4000 LIEGE
E-mail: conductor@operaliege.be

  • A jury from the Opera Royal de Wallonie-Liège will decide whether to accept or refuse applications to the competitions after studying all the application packs.
  • The applicants admitted to the competition will be notified by e-mail on 15th April 2022 at the latest. The reasons for acceptance or refusal of applicants shall not be announced. All communication with applicants shall take place by e-mail.

REGISTRATION FEE

The applicants admitted to the competition after study of their applications and videos must pay a registration fee of € 500 (five hundred euros) in order to participate.

This registration fee must be paid to the account below before 15th May 2022 and shall not be returned.

Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège
IBAN: BE 05240006632275 BIC: GEBABEBB

Accompanied by the wording: Surname + first name + Concours chefs d’orchestre 2022

Failure to pay the registration fee by the scheduled cut-off date shall lead to cancellation of participation.

PROCESS OF THE COMPETITION

The competition will include a first round, a quarter final, a semi-final and a final:

  • First round – 17th August 2022
  • Quarter final – 18th August 2022
  • Semi-final – 19th August 2022
  • Dress rehearsal – 20th August 2022
  • Final – 21st August 2022

All the contests will take place at the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège and will be open to the public.

The contests will take place with the orchestra, choir and children’s choir of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège as well as soloists chosen by the general and artistic managers of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège.

The applicants must know the entirety of the works proposed below.

First round: conducting the orchestra

to works from the list below:

  • Norma (Bellini)
  • Carmen (Bizet)
  • Faust (Gounod)
  • Don Giovanni (Mozart)
  • Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini)
  • Nabucco (Verdi)

Quarter final: concert with soloists on the piano

playing the operatic works listed below:

  • Les Pêcheurs de perles (Bizet)
  • La Bohème (Puccini)
  • La Traviata (Verdi)

Semi-final and final: conducting the orchestra with soloists, orchestra, choirs and children’s choir

playing the operatic works listed below:

  • Les Pêcheurs de perles (Bizet)
  • La Bohème (Puccini)
  • La Traviata (Verdi)

RUNNING ORDER

The 24 applicants selected to take part in the competition must arrive on 16th August 2022, between 16.00 and 17.00 for verification of the necessary formalities, in particular payment of their registration fees.

For the first round, a draw shall determine the running order.

For the quarter-final and semi-final, a draw shall determine the running order.

For the final, the jury shall decide the running order of the participants.

SCHEDULE AND DURATION OF ROUNDS

  • First round – 17th August 2022 from 14.00 to 17.00 and 19.00 to 22.00 (12 minutes per participant).

The result of the first round shall be announced on-stage following deliberation by the jury.

  • Quarter-final – 18th August 2022 from 14.00 to 17.00 and 19.00 to 22.00 (25 minutes per participant).

The result of the quarter-final shall be announced on-stage following deliberation by the jury.

  • Semi-final – 19th August 2022 from 14.00 to 17.00 and 19.00 to 22.00 (45 minutes per participant).

The result of the semi-final shall be announced on-stage following deliberation by the jury.

Dress rehearsal – 20th August 2022 from 14.00 to 18.00 (60 minutes per participant).

  • Final – 21st August 2022 CLOSING CONCERT from 16.00 (30 minutes per participant).

RULES OF THE JURY

The president of the jury will have a deciding vote in the case of a tied result.

Judgement of the first round

The jury will announce out loud the points awarded to each participant (0 to 20). The secretary of the jury will eliminate the highest and lowest scores and divide the resulting sum.

The 12 best participants will go on to the next round.

Judgement of the quarter-final

The jury will announce out loud the points awarded to each participant (0 to 20). The secretary of the jury will eliminate the highest and lowest scores and divide the resulting sum.

The 6 best participants will go on to the next round.

Judgement of the semi-final

The jury will announce out loud the points awarded to each participant (0 to 20). The secretary of the jury will eliminate the highest and lowest scores and divide the resulting sum.

The 3 best participants will go on to the final.

Judgement of the final

The jury shall make its decision by a show of hands on whether to award the First Grand Prize. Afterwards, each jury member will vote in a secret ballot. The procedure shall be the same for the following prizes. The Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège orchestra will vote in the final and its vote shall have the same weight as the vote of a jury member. There is no possibility of appeal against the jury’s decisions. Any possible difficulties should be raised with the president of the jury. The members of the jury must attend all the rounds of the competition unless special dispensation is granted by the president of the jury.

ACCOMMODATION AND DEFRAYAL OF PARTICIPANTS

It will be possible for participants to be accommodated in Liège and its surrounding area in homestay accommodation with local families. This accommodation and breakfast shall be provided throughout the duration of the competition, from 16th to 21st August 2022 included.

Requests for such accommodation should be made when returning the registration pack, before 15th March 2022.

Similarly, all participants will be invited to stay and attend the remainder of the rounds even in the case of elimination.

Participants who reach the final shall have their travel fees reimbursed, on presentation of their train or plane ticket, up to a maximum of € 800 incl. tax.

THE APPLICANTS’ CHARTER

The applicants unreservedly accept the competition rules. In case of disputes, ONLY the French version of the rules shall be admissible.

The applicants shall not be entitled to any award other than that actually obtained.

Any usurped titles will be denied and those responsible prosecuted according to common law.

The applicants refrain from claiming any rights, fees or privileges for the recording and broadcasting of all the events on radio and television or for any form of broadcasting on social networks.

The Organising Committee reserves the right to use any photographs or recordings that may be made for the national and international press, radio stations and television channels, social networks, etc.

OFFICIAL AWARDS

First Grand Prize :

€ 10,000 and an invitation to conduct an operatic production at the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège.

Second Prize :

€ 4,000 and an invitation to conduct a performance intended for young audiences at the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège.

Third Prize :

€ 2,000 and a contract to be assistant to the musical director for an operatic production at the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège.