A. Introduction
The International Vaclovas Daunoras Opera Bass Soloist Vocal Competition will take place from April 20, 2023 to August 26, 2023. Online registration and entry submission opens on the 20th of April and closes on the 20th of June. No later than July 15, semi-finalists will be selected and invited to participate in the semi-final round on August 24 at the Žagarė cultural center, Žagarė, Joniškis district, Lithuania. Finalists will then be selected to compete in the final round on August 26 at the Joniškis cultural center, Joniškis, Lithuania.
B. Registration
Admission: Male bass singers of all nationalities are invited to enter the Competition.
Age Limits: Singers born no later than January 1, 2002.
Competition Rounds: The Competition will consist of an online audition round that will be followed by a live semi-final and final round.
Registration: The online registration form must be completed no later than June 20, 2023. Participation without registration is not possible. Registration must be completed at www.daunorascompetition.com. There is a nonrefundable registration fee of €30.00 which registrants will be prompted to pay upon completion of the registration form.
Application Pack: In addition to registration, the application pack must be e-mailed no later than June 20, 2023 to the Competition organizers at the following address: daunorascompetition@gmail.com.
The application pack must include:
- A CV written in English
- A photocopy of proof of identification (passport, national ID card, etc.)
- YouTube or WeTransfer links to video recordings of the online audition pieces
Registration Confirmation: Registration is only complete once the online registration form on the www.daunorascompetition.lt is completed, the registration fee is paid and the application pack has been e-mailed to the Competition organizers. Confirmation of completed registration will be e-mailed to all entrants. The organizers of the Competition cannot be held liable for non-receipt of the application pack.
Registration fee: the registration fee of €30.00 must be paid at the time of registration.
Personal Data: By completing the registration form, the entrant agrees that the organizers of the Competition will use his personal information for the purposes of the administration of the Competition. The entrant agrees that any provided personal information relevant to the Competition will be available to the Competition Jury.
C. Online Audition Round
Arias: For the online audition round, all singers must prepare three arias from operas or large-scale pieces, preferably from different periods.
IMPORTANT: Videos must be of excellent quality with high-definition video (720p minimum) and audio. Videos must be filmed to show the singer's whole body (no close-ups). Recordings must not contain any editing or technical manipulation. The video must be filmed for the sole purpose of the Competition.
Online Audition Results: Singers who are selected for the semi-final round will be notified of their selection no later than July 15, 2023.
Jury feedback for online auditions will not be given.
Candidates will not be judged on any ideological, political, religious, or racial grounds.
D. Semi-final and Final
Admission: Only singers who have been selected from the online audition round are entitled to take part in the semi-final round. Upon conclusion of the semi-final round, no more than six singers will be selected to participate in the final round of the Competition.
Participation Fee: The fee for singers participating in the semi-final round is €120.00 for adults and €60.00 for students (a copy of a valid student ID is required). Participation in the final round is free of charge. The participation fee must be paid on the Competition website (www.daunorascompetition.com) by July 25, 2023.
Arias: For the semi-final round, each singer must prepare three opera arias in the original key and original language, adhering to the following categories:
1. An aria composed by W.A. Mozart
2. An aria composed by a 19th-century composer
3. An aria of the singer’s choice
For the final round, the singers must prepare two opera arias (one aria can be repeated).
The Semi-Final and Final Round Program: The semi-final and final round competitors will perform in alphabetical order.
Accompaniment: The organizers of the Competition will provide piano accompaniment free of charge, however competitors may bring their own piano accompanist at their own expense. The semi-final performances will be accompanied by a pianist. The final performances will be accompanied either by piano or orchestra. Competitors should provide a copy of their music to the accompanist.
Pitch of the Piano: The pitch of the piano is 442 Hz.
Dress Code: For the final rounds, we recommend traditional performance attire (suit/tuxedo/tailcoat).
Jury: The Jury is comprised of internationally recognized opera experts: theater directors, conductors, music critics, and other important members of the opera industry.
The Jury reserves the right to refrain from awarding prizes. The decision of the Jury is final and uncontested.
The Jury deliberation will be confidential. Its decisions will be final and without appeal.
Each Jury member will award a score between 0 and 10. 0 is the lowest possible score while 10 is the highest. The competitors will be ranked according to the average of these points.
Any Jury member with personal association to one of the candidates (relative, teacher, agent, colleague…) will abstain from voting for that candidate.
The President of the Jury will announce the final results. All participants must be present for the awards ceremony on-stage at the conclusion of the Competition.
Final Rounds Schedule:
August 23, 2023 – Participant arrival, registration, and rehearsals:
10:00am to 12:00pm – Arrival, registration, and scheduling of rehearsals
1:00pm to 8:00pm – Participant rehearsals with accompanists
August 24, 2023 – Semi-final round:
10:00am to 4:00pm – Participant rehearsals with accompanists
4:00pm to 6:00pm – Participant rehearsals with accompanists at the semi-final round location (Žagarė cultural center)
7:00pm – Semi-final round and announcement of competition finalists
August 25, 2023 – Preparation for the final round:
10:00am to 3:00pm – Competition finalist rehearsals with accompanists
3:00pm to 6:00pm – Competition finalist rehearsals with pianists at the final round location (Joniškis cultural center)
10:00am to 8:00pm – Vocal masterclass for the semi-finalists (not finalists) offered by the Competition organizers
August 26, 2023 – Final round:
10:00am to 2:00 pm – Competition finalist rehearsals with accompanists (piano or orchestra)
4:00pm – Final round
7:00pm – Announcement of the Competition winners followed by a press conference
9:00pm – Joint gala dinner for the finalists and members of the Jury
August 27, 2023 Vocal masterclass for the finalists
Public Attendance: The semi-final and final rounds will be open for the public to attend.
E. Awards
Upon conclusion of the final round, the top three scoring finalists will each receive money prizes in the following amounts:
1st Place: €10,000
2nd Place: €5,000
3rd Place: €3,000
Additionally, the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre will be selecting one of the finalists to perform in one of their operas during an upcoming season.
Note: The money prize will be awarded by bank transfer following the conclusion of the final. The money prize is a gross amount, subject to any applicable withholding taxes administered by the host country.
F. Additional Information
Travel Regulations: When planning your travel to the Competition venue, please be aware of the legal regulations regarding travel and entry, in particular the pandemic regulations due to the current situation.
VISA: Please note that you may require a VISA for travel to Lithuania.
Travel and Accommodation: Please note that travel, meals, and accommodation will be at the expense of the participants. The Competition organizers can help you find accommodation.
Media: The organizers of the Competition reserve the right to allow radio and television stations to record and broadcast part or all of the final rounds. The same applies for audio and video streaming and recording in all known and future media. The participants will receive no remuneration for this.
Sickness: In the event of indisposition, a participant who cannot attend a rehearsal or performance must notify the organizers of the Competition as soon as possible.
COVID-19: In the event of severe pandemic conditions, the Competition organizers will communicate any revisions to the Competition schedule to all participants in a timely manner.
Cancellation or Postponement: The organizers of the Competition reserve the right to cancel or postpone the Competition at any time for any reason beyond its control, and assumes no liability to any claim of loss or damages by the participants in such an event.
INTERNATIONAL V. DAUNORAS OPERA BASS SOLOISTS VOCAL COMPETITION
RULES AND REGULATIONS