2025 Program
our main events and masterclasses
Opening Ceremony
23 april | 10:30 - 11 am
The Cascais Ópera 2025 kicks off with the opening ceremony, we will welcome the competitors, the jury members, the patrons, the partners, the honourable guests and the official Institutions featuring speeches by its three founders: Alexandra Maurício, General Director, and Artistic Directors Adriano Jordão and Sergei Leiferkus.
First Round and Semi-finals
First Round
24 and 25 april -
10am - 1pm | 3pm - 6pm
Semi-finals
27 april - 11am - 1pm | 2:40pm - 5pm
28 april - 10am - 1pm
Candidates admitted to in-person performances will be heard at the Cascais Cultural Centre, in public examination performances, open to all opera lovers.
For the first round, 44 candidates have been selected, and they will be progressively eliminated throughout the competition until only eight finalists remain!
Masterclasses
Casa das Histórias Paula Rego Auditorium
Condes Castro de Guimarães Museum
30 april
In the afternoon, Masterclasses for out-of-competition singers will be held at the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego Auditorium with Anna Samuil and at the Condes Castro de Guimarães Museum with Sergei Leiferkus.
Semi-Finalists Concert
30 april
An unmissable concert featuring the talented young singers who reached the semifinals but did not advance to the Final. A new opportunity to hear them perform some of the most beautiful opera arias in the magical setting of the Palácio da Cidadela de Cascais.
Nature Day & Picnic
Casa das Histórias Paula Rego Auditorium
Condes Castro de Guimarães Museum
1 may
Nature Day & Picnic gives participants a break to recharge their batteries and enjoy a day outdoors. Open to the public upon registration, it’s the perfect opportunity to relax before the final stretch.
Final
4 may
The eight finalists, selected from candidates from all over the world, take to the stage for a final concert, accompanied by the Portuguese Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Antonio Pirolli, to compete for this year’s prizes in an evening of talent, emotion and celebration of opera.
Voice Masterclass
by members of the Jury. Open to students and singers
9, 12 and 13 april
As the Juri of the International Vocal Competition includes great singers who simultaneously are great pedagogues, Cascais Opera has the opportunity to provide open masterclasses , also open to the candidates.
In parallel to the competition, Vocal masterclasses will take place in April 9, 12 and 13, at Casa das Histórias Paula Rego, expanding in this way the scope of the event.
"ACTING THROUGH THE SINGING METHODE" Masterclass
Acting on Opera Stage Masterclasses
9, 12 and 13 april
After a public presentation of Novi Sad Servian National Theatre with photos, short trailers for the operas, notable soloists, costumes and scenography workshops, Senior Opera Director, Aleksandar Nicolic, will lead a masterclass under the attractive and understandable name: “ACTING THROUGH THE SINGING METHODE”.
The active participants in the masterclass shall propose three arias, of which two will be chosen and one prioritize for the work. In three sessions up to nine participants will be accepted.
