Grand Prix Égide

Carlos Gomes Prize | Amazonas Opera Festival

Contract with Mafra Music Festival “Filipe de Sousa” (FMM)

Contract with Ópera na Academia e na Cidade (Porto)

Croatian tenor Tomislav Jukić has been a member of the International Opera Studio at the Opernhaus Zürich since the 2024/25 season, and in summer 2025 he joined the Young Singers Project at the renowned Salzburg Festival. In 2023, he won First Prize at the International Singing Competition “Mikuláš Schneider-Trnavský” in Slovakia, as well as at the International Antonín Dvořák International Singing Competition. In 2026, he was also awarded First Prize at the José Palet Competition in Martorell. He studied at the Music Academy of the University of Zagreb under Martina Zadro.

First Prize “Teresa Berganza”, for female voice

Contract with Cascais and Oeiras Chamber Orchestra

Soprano Nuri Park is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Opera and Music Drama at the mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, studying with Prof. Christoph Ulrich Meier, Prof. Jörg Schneider, and Prof. Roland Schwab. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at Seoul National University in South Korea, where she studied with Prof. Attila Jun. From 2022 to 2024, she performed at the Korean National Opera as Pamina in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and most recently appeared as Clorinda in Rossini’s La Cenerentola at the Neue Staatsoper.

First Prize “Maurício Bensaude”, for male voice

Contract with Marvão International Music Festival (FIMM)

Contract with International Virgilijus Noreika Competition for Singers (Vilnius, Lithuania)

South Korean baritone Junyoung Choi currently pursuing his Master’s at the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin. Choi has swept numerous prestigious awards, including First Prize at the 2026 AsLiCo and 2025 Piero Cappuccilli International Competitions. He also holds Grand Prizes from the Korea National Opera and Daegu International competitions, with further honors from the Viotti and Salvatore Licitra awards. His repertoire includes title roles in Falstaff and Scarpia in Tosca at Teatro Sociale di Como. Upcoming highlights include debuts as Macbeth and Renato in Un Ballo in Maschera.

Second Prize

Contract with Festival de Ópera de Óbidos (FOO)

Contract with Mafra Music Festival “Filipe de Sousa” (FMM)

Baritone Ljubomir Milanović is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Mannheim, Germany in the class of Prof. S. Stamenković, as a scholarship holder of the prestigious German National Academic Foundation. A multiple prizewinner, he received awards at the A. Rothenberger, Nina Solo, F. Wunderlich, E. Köth and P. Salomon-Lindberg competitions. He made his professional debut in 2024 as the Flemish Deputy in Don Carlo at the Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern, a role he later reprised at Theater Koblenz. Notable roles include: Figaro, Dr. Falke, Peter Besenbinder, Musiklehrer, Mr. Gobineau i.a.

Third Prize

Best Singer under 25 Award

Contract with Mafra Music Festival “Filipe de Sousa” (FMM)

Contract with Orchestra Alma Mater (Torres Novas / Medio Tejo)

WuTongyu was born in 2002 and was awarded the first price in the undergraduate degree at Shanghai conservatory of music school. She was recommended as exemption graduate in 2025.

RTP Audience Prize

Istanbul State Opera and Ballet

OCCO Prize – Best Lusophone Performer

Contract with Algarve International Piano Festival

Beatriz Maia is a soprano currently pursuing a Master’s in Opera at the Bayerische Theaterakademie August Everding in Munich with the Prof. Christiane Iven. She earned a Music Performance degree (2018) and a Master’s in Music Education (2020) from the University of Aveiro. She has performed various roles, notably Marie (La fille du régiment) and Despina (Così fan tutte), collaborating with distinguished conductors and orchestras. An award-winning singer, she has received first prizes and audience awards at major competitions. She will join the Opera Studio of the Wiener Staatsoper in 26-28.

Contract with Marvão International Music Festival (FIMM)

Contract with Ópera na Academia e na Cidade (Porto)

South Korean Soprano Seonwoo Lee has been acclaimed for her artistry, with Opera Canada praising her "phenomenal control" and Opera News calling her "a lyric soprano of extraordinary focus and clarity." She is a graduate of the Bayerische Staatsoper's Opernstudio where roles included Oscar Un ballo in maschera, Frasquita in Carmen, Papagena Die Zauberflöte, and Amanda Le Grand Macabre. She returned to the company as Minette Die Englishe Katze and first Courtier in the world premiere of Of One Blood. She also made her role and house debut as Gilda Rigoletto at Royal Danish Opera.

Contract with Mafra Music Festival “Filipe de Sousa” (FMM)

Italian mezzo-soprano Arianna Manganello has been a member of the ensamble of Deutsche Oper Berlin since 2020, where she has performed roles such as Rosina (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro), Hansel (Hansel und Gretel), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Smeton (Anna Bolena), Fuchs (Die Schlaue Füchslein), Fenena (Nabucco) etc. She debuted at Teatro Regio di Parma, Teatro San Carlo di Napoli, as well as Teatro Goldoni Livorno, National Theatre in Belgrade, Piccolo Opera Festival Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Contract with Ópera na Academia e na Cidade (Porto)

South Korean Baritone Junseok Hwang is a graduate of the Juilliard School where he studied with tenor William Burden. His operatic roles include Papageno in ‘Die Zauberflöte,’ Il Marito in ‘Amelia Al Ballo,’ Peter in ‘Hansel and Gretel,’ and more. He has previously appeared in Hawaii Performing Arts festivals and Aspen Music Festival. Beginning fall 2026, Junseok will start his residency in the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, USA.

Grand Prix Égide

Carlos Gomes Prize | Amazonas Opera Festival

Contract with Mafra Music Festival “Filipe de Sousa” (FMM)

Contract with Ópera na Academia e na Cidade (Porto)

Croatian tenor Tomislav Jukić has been a member of the International Opera Studio at the Opernhaus Zürich since the 2024/25 season, and in summer 2025 he joined the Young Singers Project at the renowned Salzburg Festival. In 2023, he won First Prize at the International Singing Competition “Mikuláš Schneider-Trnavský” in Slovakia, as well as at the International Antonín Dvořák International Singing Competition. In 2026, he was also awarded First Prize at the José Palet Competition in Martorell. He studied at the Music Academy of the University of Zagreb under Martina Zadro.

First Prize “Teresa Berganza”, for female voice

Contract with Cascais and Oeiras Chamber Orchestra

Soprano Nuri Park is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Opera and Music Drama at the mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, studying with Prof. Christoph Ulrich Meier, Prof. Jörg Schneider, and Prof. Roland Schwab. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at Seoul National University in South Korea, where she studied with Prof. Attila Jun. From 2022 to 2024, she performed at the Korean National Opera as Pamina in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and most recently appeared as Clorinda in Rossini’s La Cenerentola at the Neue Staatsoper.

First Prize “Maurício Bensaude”, for male voice

Contract with Marvão International Music Festival (FIMM)

Contract with International Virgilijus Noreika Competition for Singers (Vilnius, Lithuania)

South Korean baritone Junyoung Choi currently pursuing his Master’s at the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin. Choi has swept numerous prestigious awards, including First Prize at the 2026 AsLiCo and 2025 Piero Cappuccilli International Competitions. He also holds Grand Prizes from the Korea National Opera and Daegu International competitions, with further honors from the Viotti and Salvatore Licitra awards. His repertoire includes title roles in Falstaff and Scarpia in Tosca at Teatro Sociale di Como. Upcoming highlights include debuts as Macbeth and Renato in Un Ballo in Maschera.

Second Prize

Contract with Festival de Ópera de Óbidos (FOO)

Contract with Mafra Music Festival “Filipe de Sousa” (FMM)

Baritone Ljubomir Milanović is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Mannheim, Germany in the class of Prof. S. Stamenković, as a scholarship holder of the prestigious German National Academic Foundation. A multiple prizewinner, he received awards at the A. Rothenberger, Nina Solo, F. Wunderlich, E. Köth and P. Salomon-Lindberg competitions. He made his professional debut in 2024 as the Flemish Deputy in Don Carlo at the Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern, a role he later reprised at Theater Koblenz. Notable roles include: Figaro, Dr. Falke, Peter Besenbinder, Musiklehrer, Mr. Gobineau i.a.

Third Prize

Best Singer under 25 Award

Contract with Mafra Music Festival “Filipe de Sousa” (FMM)

Contract with Orchestra Alma Mater (Torres Novas / Medio Tejo)

WuTongyu was born in 2002 and was awarded the first price in the undergraduate degree at Shanghai conservatory of music school. She was recommended as exemption graduate in 2025.

RTP Audience Prize

Istanbul State Opera and Ballet

OCCO Prize – Best Lusophone Performer

Contract with Algarve International Piano Festival

Beatriz Maia is a soprano currently pursuing a Master’s in Opera at the Bayerische Theaterakademie August Everding in Munich with the Prof. Christiane Iven. She earned a Music Performance degree (2018) and a Master’s in Music Education (2020) from the University of Aveiro. She has performed various roles, notably Marie (La fille du régiment) and Despina (Così fan tutte), collaborating with distinguished conductors and orchestras. An award-winning singer, she has received first prizes and audience awards at major competitions. She will join the Opera Studio of the Wiener Staatsoper in 26-28.

Contract with Marvão International Music Festival (FIMM)

Contract with Ópera na Academia e na Cidade (Porto)

South Korean Soprano Seonwoo Lee has been acclaimed for her artistry, with Opera Canada praising her "phenomenal control" and Opera News calling her "a lyric soprano of extraordinary focus and clarity." She is a graduate of the Bayerische Staatsoper's Opernstudio where roles included Oscar Un ballo in maschera, Frasquita in Carmen, Papagena Die Zauberflöte, and Amanda Le Grand Macabre. She returned to the company as Minette Die Englishe Katze and first Courtier in the world premiere of Of One Blood. She also made her role and house debut as Gilda Rigoletto at Royal Danish Opera.

Contract with Mafra Music Festival “Filipe de Sousa” (FMM)

Italian mezzo-soprano Arianna Manganello has been a member of the ensamble of Deutsche Oper Berlin since 2020, where she has performed roles such as Rosina (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro), Hansel (Hansel und Gretel), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Smeton (Anna Bolena), Fuchs (Die Schlaue Füchslein), Fenena (Nabucco) etc. She debuted at Teatro Regio di Parma, Teatro San Carlo di Napoli, as well as Teatro Goldoni Livorno, National Theatre in Belgrade, Piccolo Opera Festival Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Ukrainian soprano Aleksandra Domashchuk is a finalist of the Tenor Viñas Competition 2026, a semifinalist at Operalia–Placido Domingo and Moniuszko Competition (2025), and received a Richard Wagner Bayreuth scholarship (2025). She performed Almirena in Rinaldino at the International Händel Festival Karlsruhe, appeared at the Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe as Anna in Nabucco and the Gran Sacerdotessa in Aida, and was a member of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie–Liège Opera Studio (2024–25) under the direction of Patrizia Ciofi, where she sang Adina L’elisir d’amoremasterclass by G. Bisanti.

Ana Gvozdenović is a soprano from Belgrade, Serbia. She is a student of "Meisterklassen" studies at HMT "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy" in Leipzig (Germany) as a DAAD scholarship holder, and Doctoral studies at The Faculty of Music Arts in Belgrade. In the season 2023/2024 Ana was part of The Opera Studio of The National Theatre in Belgrade. She has performed roles such as Rosalinde in Strauss's "Die Fledermaus", the main role in Puccini's "Suor Angelica", Mother Gertrude in Humperdink's "Hänsel und Gretel", Masha in Shostakovich's "Moscow Cheryomushky", Stanka in Binički's "At Dawn".

Constança Melo began her studies in 2016, with the Ukrainian Mezzo-Soprano Laryssa Savchenko. Finished the ""ABRSM"" performance degree with distinction grade, and being just 17 years old participated in competitions, such as: Martinovich International singing competition (EUA), Concorso di canto lirico virtuale SOI Fiorenza Cedolins (Italy), Concurso Internacional de Canto da Lousada (Portugal) and Concurso Internacional de Canto Cascais Opera. Some highlighted moments, such as: Easter Concert with I Solisti Veneti in Padova, Original piece with Tina Guo and Masterclass with Mariella Devia.

Born in Mariupol, Ukraine, baritone Ihor Mostovoi is recognised for his rich timbre and commanding stage presence. A graduate of the Schulich School of Music in Montreal and the École Normale de Musique «Alfred Cortot» in Paris, he trained with the Opéra National du Rhin Studio and the Paris Opera Academy. His performances span major institutions such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, Opéra National de Lyon, and Théâtre du Châtelet. His awards include the Marmande International Singing Competition, the Montreal International Musical Competition, and the Gerda Lissner Competition in New York.

Belarusian-born Canadian baritone Jamal Al Titi is an emerging artist noted for his warm, resonant timbre and expressive stage presence. In 2025, he joined the International Meistersinger Academy and sang the title role in Gianni Schicchi at the Netherlands Lyric Opera Festival. His repertoire includes Masetto (Don Giovanni), Schaunard (La bohème), and Uberto (La serva padrona), alongside appearances as Dancaïro (Carmen). He has performed Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, and will appear as Papageno with Edmonton Opera and in Atys with the Opéra de Montréal.

Born in Berga (Barcelona), mezzo-soprano Judit Subirana is acclaimed for her opera and concert work. She has sung at the Concertgebouw and with La Capella Reial de Catalunya under the baton of Jordi Savall, and appeared in La traviata, La Cenerentola, and Das schlaue Füchslein, and others. A member of Duo Pluja with pianist Pierre-Nicolas Colombat. She has recorded extensively with Ensemble Los Elementos (Venus y Adonis, Sin violencia no hay culpa, La divina Filotea, El diablo mudo, La Prosa de Difuntos in Versailles) and with Jordi Savall (Die Walpurgisnacht).

Katya Semenisty is an Israeli mezzo-soprano. Currently she is a member of the opera studio of Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Düsseldorf. There she appeared as Tisbe in La Cenerentola, La sorella infermiera in Sour Angelica ,Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor as well as Flora and Annina in La Traviata. Her opera repertoire includes also Dorabella in Così fan tutte, Tamasse in Zanaida and Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte. Katya studied for her bachelor’s degree at the Jerusalem Academy of music and dance and concluded her studies with a master’s degree at the Theaterakademie August Everding.

Nikolett Mráz is a Hungarian soprano who recently completed her opera studies at the Mozarteum University Salzburg. She previously studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. In 2025 she was awarded the Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Prize at the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition in Dublin. Her repertoire includes roles such as Donna Anna, Contessa, Pamina, Rosalinde, Musetta, Giulietta and Juliette.

Slovenian soprano Pia Novak studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Mannheim with Prof. Snežana Stamenković. Awarded in multiple international competitions across Europe and the US, she has performed with orchestras such as the Slovenian Philharmonic, the Ljubljana Opera and Ballet Orchestra, and the National Theatre Mannheim Orchestra. Her concert repertoire includes Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem and Fauré’s Requiem, and her operatic roles feature Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Snow Queen.

The Austrian mezzosoprano Tanja Elisa Glinsner studied with Claudia Visca, Christoph Meier and Roland Schwab (MDW, Vienna) and appeared in roles including Old Nun (Sancta Susanna), Baba (Medium), Dryad (Ariadne), Bertarido (Rodelinda), Mrs Reich (Wives of Windsor) and Zita (Gianni Schicchi, Schönbrunn Theatre, C: Hartmut Keil). Recently she debuted as Third Lady (Magic Flute) at Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz, as Sœur (Carmelites) at Teatro Regio di Torino (C: Yves Abel, D: Robert Carsen), as well as alto soloist in Fr. Schmidt’s Buch der Sieben Siegel at Vienna Musikverein (C: Manfred Honeck).

Grand Prix Égide

Carlos Gomes Prize | Amazonas Opera Festival

Contract with Mafra Music Festival “Filipe de Sousa” (FMM)

Contract with Ópera na Academia e na Cidade (Porto)

Croatian tenor Tomislav Jukić has been a member of the International Opera Studio at the Opernhaus Zürich since the 2024/25 season, and in summer 2025 he joined the Young Singers Project at the renowned Salzburg Festival. In 2023, he won First Prize at the International Singing Competition “Mikuláš Schneider-Trnavský” in Slovakia, as well as at the International Antonín Dvořák International Singing Competition. In 2026, he was also awarded First Prize at the José Palet Competition in Martorell. He studied at the Music Academy of the University of Zagreb under Martina Zadro.

Zhenyu Wang is a Chinese tenor. He is currently a first-year Master's student at the Department of Vocal Music and Opera, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, studying under Professor Guo Sen, an internationally acclaimed soprano and Vice President of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Opera House. With rigorous professional training in vocal performance and opera, he dedicates himself to classical music and operatic art. He is honored to take part in this competition and continue his artistic exploration.

First Prize “Teresa Berganza”, for female voice

Contract with Cascais and Oeiras Chamber Orchestra

Soprano Nuri Park is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Opera and Music Drama at the mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, studying with Prof. Christoph Ulrich Meier, Prof. Jörg Schneider, and Prof. Roland Schwab. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at Seoul National University in South Korea, where she studied with Prof. Attila Jun. From 2022 to 2024, she performed at the Korean National Opera as Pamina in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and most recently appeared as Clorinda in Rossini’s La Cenerentola at the Neue Staatsoper.

First Prize “Maurício Bensaude”, for male voice

Contract with Marvão International Music Festival (FIMM)

Contract with International Virgilijus Noreika Competition for Singers (Vilnius, Lithuania)

South Korean baritone Junyoung Choi currently pursuing his Master’s at the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin. Choi has swept numerous prestigious awards, including First Prize at the 2026 AsLiCo and 2025 Piero Cappuccilli International Competitions. He also holds Grand Prizes from the Korea National Opera and Daegu International competitions, with further honors from the Viotti and Salvatore Licitra awards. His repertoire includes title roles in Falstaff and Scarpia in Tosca at Teatro Sociale di Como. Upcoming highlights include debuts as Macbeth and Renato in Un Ballo in Maschera.

Second Prize

Contract with Festival de Ópera de Óbidos (FOO)

Contract with Mafra Music Festival “Filipe de Sousa” (FMM)

Baritone Ljubomir Milanović is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Mannheim, Germany in the class of Prof. S. Stamenković, as a scholarship holder of the prestigious German National Academic Foundation. A multiple prizewinner, he received awards at the A. Rothenberger, Nina Solo, F. Wunderlich, E. Köth and P. Salomon-Lindberg competitions. He made his professional debut in 2024 as the Flemish Deputy in Don Carlo at the Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern, a role he later reprised at Theater Koblenz. Notable roles include: Figaro, Dr. Falke, Peter Besenbinder, Musiklehrer, Mr. Gobineau i.a.

Third Prize

Best Singer under 25 Award

Contract with Mafra Music Festival “Filipe de Sousa” (FMM)

Contract with Orchestra Alma Mater (Torres Novas / Medio Tejo)

WuTongyu was born in 2002 and was awarded the first price in the undergraduate degree at Shanghai conservatory of music school. She was recommended as exemption graduate in 2025.

RTP Audience Prize

Istanbul State Opera and Ballet

OCCO Prize – Best Lusophone Performer

Contract with Algarve International Piano Festival

Beatriz Maia is a soprano currently pursuing a Master’s in Opera at the Bayerische Theaterakademie August Everding in Munich with the Prof. Christiane Iven. She earned a Music Performance degree (2018) and a Master’s in Music Education (2020) from the University of Aveiro. She has performed various roles, notably Marie (La fille du régiment) and Despina (Così fan tutte), collaborating with distinguished conductors and orchestras. An award-winning singer, she has received first prizes and audience awards at major competitions. She will join the Opera Studio of the Wiener Staatsoper in 26-28.

Contract with Marvão International Music Festival (FIMM)

Contract with Ópera na Academia e na Cidade (Porto)

South Korean Soprano Seonwoo Lee has been acclaimed for her artistry, with Opera Canada praising her "phenomenal control" and Opera News calling her "a lyric soprano of extraordinary focus and clarity." She is a graduate of the Bayerische Staatsoper's Opernstudio where roles included Oscar Un ballo in maschera, Frasquita in Carmen, Papagena Die Zauberflöte, and Amanda Le Grand Macabre. She returned to the company as Minette Die Englishe Katze and first Courtier in the world premiere of Of One Blood. She also made her role and house debut as Gilda Rigoletto at Royal Danish Opera.

Contract with Mafra Music Festival “Filipe de Sousa” (FMM)

Italian mezzo-soprano Arianna Manganello has been a member of the ensamble of Deutsche Oper Berlin since 2020, where she has performed roles such as Rosina (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro), Hansel (Hansel und Gretel), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Smeton (Anna Bolena), Fuchs (Die Schlaue Füchslein), Fenena (Nabucco) etc. She debuted at Teatro Regio di Parma, Teatro San Carlo di Napoli, as well as Teatro Goldoni Livorno, National Theatre in Belgrade, Piccolo Opera Festival Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Contract with Ópera na Academia e na Cidade (Porto)

South Korean Baritone Junseok Hwang is a graduate of the Juilliard School where he studied with tenor William Burden. His operatic roles include Papageno in ‘Die Zauberflöte,’ Il Marito in ‘Amelia Al Ballo,’ Peter in ‘Hansel and Gretel,’ and more. He has previously appeared in Hawaii Performing Arts festivals and Aspen Music Festival. Beginning fall 2026, Junseok will start his residency in the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, USA.

Ukrainian soprano Aleksandra Domashchuk is a finalist of the Tenor Viñas Competition 2026, a semifinalist at Operalia–Placido Domingo and Moniuszko Competition (2025), and received a Richard Wagner Bayreuth scholarship (2025). She performed Almirena in Rinaldino at the International Händel Festival Karlsruhe, appeared at the Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe as Anna in Nabucco and the Gran Sacerdotessa in Aida, and was a member of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie–Liège Opera Studio (2024–25) under the direction of Patrizia Ciofi, where she sang Adina L’elisir d’amoremasterclass by G. Bisanti.

Alexandra Danilova is a 26-year-old soprano from Saint Petersburg. She began her musical education at Wells Cathedral School (UK) as a scholarship holder of the Music and Dance Scheme. She is currently based in Vienna, where she completed her Bachelor’s degree at the Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität der Stadt Wien and is now pursuing a Master’s in Opera. She has participated in international competitions and masterclasses with Ian Bostridge, Graham Johnson and Franco Pagliazzi. Her recent roles include The First Lady in „The Magic Flute“, Berta in „Babel 46“, and Dido in „Dido and Aeneas“.

Ana Gvozdenović is a soprano from Belgrade, Serbia. She is a student of "Meisterklassen" studies at HMT "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy" in Leipzig (Germany) as a DAAD scholarship holder, and Doctoral studies at The Faculty of Music Arts in Belgrade. In the season 2023/2024 Ana was part of The Opera Studio of The National Theatre in Belgrade. She has performed roles such as Rosalinde in Strauss's "Die Fledermaus", the main role in Puccini's "Suor Angelica", Mother Gertrude in Humperdink's "Hänsel und Gretel", Masha in Shostakovich's "Moscow Cheryomushky", Stanka in Binički's "At Dawn".

Born in San José, Costa Rica, baritone Andres Cascante inherited his passion for music from his grandfather, also a baritone. He holds an Artist Diploma program at the Juilliard School. He is a regular student of Dolora Zajick and a member of the Renato Bruson Foundation in Parma. Cascante has also participated in several leading young artist programs, including the Accademia Rossiniana in Pesaro, the academy of Opera De Paris, Merola Opera, Academy Festival Aix En Provence and it is currently in the Ensemble at the Opera De Paris.

Geneva-based soprano Barbara Barandun won first prize at the Jean Sibelius International Competition in Turku, Finland, and was a finalist at the Concorso Internazionale di Canto Lirico Giulio Neri in Tuscany, with Leo Nucci as president of the jury. In 2025, she reached the semi-finals of the prestigious Concorso Viotti in Vercelli. In 2024 she obtained her singing certificate with the congratulations of the jury in Juliette Galstian's class. She has performed with various symphony orchestras in Switzerland, France and Spain. Barbara is a member of the Association des Artistes de Genève.

Constança Melo began her studies in 2016, with the Ukrainian Mezzo-Soprano Laryssa Savchenko. Finished the ""ABRSM"" performance degree with distinction grade, and being just 17 years old participated in competitions, such as: Martinovich International singing competition (EUA), Concorso di canto lirico virtuale SOI Fiorenza Cedolins (Italy), Concurso Internacional de Canto da Lousada (Portugal) and Concurso Internacional de Canto Cascais Opera. Some highlighted moments, such as: Easter Concert with I Solisti Veneti in Padova, Original piece with Tina Guo and Masterclass with Mariella Devia.

Elisabeth Saint-Gelais, Innu soprano from Canada has won numerous prestigious awards across Canada, including First Prize and the Audience Choice Award at the Canadian Opera Company’s Centre Stage Competition in 2023, as well as the Premier Prix d’Europe the same year. She received the Wirth Vocal Prize from McGill University and the Grand Prize at the Concours de musiqueCanada – Canimex. That same year, she was named one of CBC’s 30 under 30 and was chosen as a Radio-Canada Classical Revelation Artist for 2024. She is a proud representative of the First Nations Peoples of Canada.

Génesis López Da Silva, a Venezuelan/Portuguese mezzo-soprano, completed her Bachelor’s degree at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln and a Master’s degree in Opera at the Mozarteum University Salzburg. Her main roles include Dorabella (Così fan tutte), Cherubino and Marcellina (Le nozze di Figaro), and Carolina (Elegy for Young Lovers). She won 2nd Prize at the International Mozart Competition in Bad Hall (2025) and 3rd Prize at the Alfredo Hollander Singing Competition in Caracas (2023). She was a member of the Opera Studio of the Landestheater Linz and is currently a guest artist there.

Chinese soprano Heming Li was one of the Young Artists on the 2023-24 Global Talent Programme at the National Opera Studio (NOS), London under the support of Nicholas John Scholarship. She was the winner of 2024 OFFIES Opera Performance Award, 2022 Brescia International Concerto Competition, and the finalist of Paolo Coni International Opera Vocal Competition, Croydon Concerto Competition and International Festival of Operatic Singers “Maria Kraja”.

Huang Yuxin, 21, Soprano, is a 2022 undergraduate student at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where she studies under tenor Professor Ping Gu and vocal coach Professor Xinyi Shen. Her performance credits include the joint production of Carmen by the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Opera House and the Bordeaux National Opera, La Traviata in collaboration with the Savonlinna Opera Festival, La Bohème, and portraying the role of Ida in a production of Die Fledermaus for the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra's Spring Festival Concert.

Born in Mariupol, Ukraine, baritone Ihor Mostovoi is recognised for his rich timbre and commanding stage presence. A graduate of the Schulich School of Music in Montreal and the École Normale de Musique «Alfred Cortot» in Paris, he trained with the Opéra National du Rhin Studio and the Paris Opera Academy. His performances span major institutions such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, Opéra National de Lyon, and Théâtre du Châtelet. His awards include the Marmande International Singing Competition, the Montreal International Musical Competition, and the Gerda Lissner Competition in New York.

Soprano Isobel Anthony is noted for her “warm timbre, effortless and agile” (Olyrix, France). Highlights from the 2025-26 season with the Paris Opera Academy include her role debut as Sandrina in La finta giardiniera; her South American debut with the Theatro Municipal de São Paulo on tour; her Théâtre Champs-Elysée debut singing the Saint-Saens Christmas Oratorio; and a concert gala at Palais Garnier. This coming season, she joins Festival Aix-en-Provence Academy and the Paris Opera Troupe. She is a recipient of the 2025 Santa Fe Opera Award of Excellence.

Belarusian-born Canadian baritone Jamal Al Titi is an emerging artist noted for his warm, resonant timbre and expressive stage presence. In 2025, he joined the International Meistersinger Academy and sang the title role in Gianni Schicchi at the Netherlands Lyric Opera Festival. His repertoire includes Masetto (Don Giovanni), Schaunard (La bohème), and Uberto (La serva padrona), alongside appearances as Dancaïro (Carmen). He has performed Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, and will appear as Papageno with Edmonton Opera and in Atys with the Opéra de Montréal.

Janina Mae Dettenborn was born in Kiel, where she began her vocal training in the youth choir of the Kiel Opera. In 2016, she began her studies at the HfM Dresden and continued them at the HMTM Hannover, where she successfully completed her Master’s degree in 2024. From March 2025, she appreared e.g. as a Flower Maiden in “Parsifal” and Franziska Cagliari in “Wiener Blut” at the Aalto Musiktheater Essen. She is currently appearing as Amore in “L’incoronazione di Poppea” at the Theater Lübeck. In the summer of 2025, she also won the Audience Prize at the International Music Competion Cologne.

Brazilian mezzo-soprano Joyce Bastos moves between classical music and Brazilian popular music. She trained at EMESP, furthering her studies through international festivals and masterclasses, and completed her Bachelor’s degree in voice at the Hochschule für Musik Basel, where she is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in classical voice with a specialization in jazz. Based in Basel, she develops a versatile career in concerts and original projects. At Theater Basel, she performed Papagena in The Magic Flute and is currently on stage as Tisbe in La Cenerentola.

Born in Berga (Barcelona), mezzo-soprano Judit Subirana is acclaimed for her opera and concert work. She has sung at the Concertgebouw and with La Capella Reial de Catalunya under the baton of Jordi Savall, and appeared in La traviata, La Cenerentola, and Das schlaue Füchslein, and others. A member of Duo Pluja with pianist Pierre-Nicolas Colombat. She has recorded extensively with Ensemble Los Elementos (Venus y Adonis, Sin violencia no hay culpa, La divina Filotea, El diablo mudo, La Prosa de Difuntos in Versailles) and with Jordi Savall (Die Walpurgisnacht).

Katya Semenisty is an Israeli mezzo-soprano. Currently she is a member of the opera studio of Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Düsseldorf. There she appeared as Tisbe in La Cenerentola, La sorella infermiera in Sour Angelica ,Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor as well as Flora and Annina in La Traviata. Her opera repertoire includes also Dorabella in Così fan tutte, Tamasse in Zanaida and Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte. Katya studied for her bachelor’s degree at the Jerusalem Academy of music and dance and concluded her studies with a master’s degree at the Theaterakademie August Everding.

German-French coloratura soprano with a powerful & confident voice in the highest registers, praised by the New York Times for her excellent presentation of Ariel (Adès’ The Tempest) in 2025. She debuts in renowned opera houses such as Munich GPT, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Wiesbaden et.al. as Blonde, Adele, Zerlina, Despina, Tytania, Waldvogel etc. As Hamburg Opera studio soloist, she sang the role of Sophie Scholl in the ARTE movie White Rose. She graduated with honors from the Mozarteum Salzburg and won several prizes incl. 1st prize & Audience Award in Avignon & Operetta Prizes in Munich & Vienna.

Medea Chikashvili is a Georgian opera singer (Contralto). She is a graduate of the prestigious Young Artist Opera Program of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia. She received her professional training at the St. Petersburg N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov College of Music and the Moscow State Institute of Culture, further honing her skills at the St. Petersburg E.V. Obraztsova Academy of Music, performing in The Great and Small Halls of the Philharmonic. As a guest artist of the Bolshoi, she actively participate in its repertoire productions.

Mengying Jia, Mezzo-Soprano, Signed Artist of the Yehudi Menuhin LMN Foundation. In 2025, she won the 1st Prize at the 13th Lav Mirski International Vocal Competition and was invited to present a solo concert at the Croatian National Theatre in February 2026. She also claimed 1st Prize (China Region) at the International Vocal Competition of Theater Augsburg, Germany, and 2nd Prize at the Elise Meyer Vocal Competition, Germany.In 2024, she took 4th Place at the Basel International Vocal Competition, Switzerland, and received 2nd Prize at the HfMT Mozart Vocal Competition in 2023.

Mziwamadoda Sipho Nodlayiya is a South African tenor, born and raised in Gugulethu - Cape Town. He was introduced to music at a young age through church choir, primary and secondary school choral programs and later on distinguished himself as a promising young singer. He perused his formal vocal training at the University of Cape Town where he completed both his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Opera. In September 2024 he joined Die Hamburgische Staatsopers’ International Opera Studio, where he is currently based. He has appeared in several productions and participated in masterclasses.

Shulman completed her Master’s degree at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, winning prizes at the Tavor-Fintz Memorial, Charles Schneider and Jerusalem International Opera competitions. From 2018-2020 was a member of the International Opera Studio at the Staatsoper Hamburg. From 2021-2024 was in the ensemble of Theater Magdeburg, performing roles as Adina, Gretel, Marzelline, Zerlina, Ännchen. Guest engagements include Staatsoper Hamburg, Staatstheater Darmstadt, Staatstheater Mainz, Aalto Theater Essen and Volkstheater Rostock. She won the competition of Kammeroper Schloss Rheinsberg 2026.

Nikki Martin is emerging as one of Scotland’s most promising operatic talents, earning critical praise for her warm stage presence, vocal versatility, and natural charisma. Having performed the roles of Monica (The Medium), Cendrillon (Cendrillon), Ilia (Idomeneo) and the winner of the Ye Cronies Opera Award, Nikki flourished during her time at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Recent engagements include Lucia in (The Rape of Lucretia) with HGO London in April 2026 and covering Zoë in (The Galloping Cure) by Missy Mazzoli as part of the Edinburgh International Festival 2026.

Nikolett Mráz is a Hungarian soprano who recently completed her opera studies at the Mozarteum University Salzburg. She previously studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. In 2025 she was awarded the Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Prize at the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition in Dublin. Her repertoire includes roles such as Donna Anna, Contessa, Pamina, Rosalinde, Musetta, Giulietta and Juliette.

Slovenian soprano Pia Novak studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Mannheim with Prof. Snežana Stamenković. Awarded in multiple international competitions across Europe and the US, she has performed with orchestras such as the Slovenian Philharmonic, the Ljubljana Opera and Ballet Orchestra, and the National Theatre Mannheim Orchestra. Her concert repertoire includes Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem and Fauré’s Requiem, and her operatic roles feature Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Snow Queen.

Seungmin Shin is a Korean tenor currently based in Berlin. He graduated from Hanyang University in Seoul and is currently pursuing his master’s degree at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin. Through performances, masterclasses, and international competitions, he continues to gain experience while striving to seize new opportunities. Through music, he aims to communicate sincere emotion and create meaningful connections with audiences.

The Austrian mezzosoprano Tanja Elisa Glinsner studied with Claudia Visca, Christoph Meier and Roland Schwab (MDW, Vienna) and appeared in roles including Old Nun (Sancta Susanna), Baba (Medium), Dryad (Ariadne), Bertarido (Rodelinda), Mrs Reich (Wives of Windsor) and Zita (Gianni Schicchi, Schönbrunn Theatre, C: Hartmut Keil). Recently she debuted as Third Lady (Magic Flute) at Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz, as Sœur (Carmelites) at Teatro Regio di Torino (C: Yves Abel, D: Robert Carsen), as well as alto soloist in Fr. Schmidt’s Buch der Sieben Siegel at Vienna Musikverein (C: Manfred Honeck).

Tatiana Vizir is a lyric coloratura soprano based in Madeira, Portugal. She performed at the St. Petersburg Music Hall Theatre, appearing in productions of Die Zauberflöte (Queen of the Night, Pamina, First Lady), Die Fledermaus (Rosalinde), Francesca da Rimini (Francesca) and Zar und Zimmermann (Marie). In Portugal, she appeared as soprano solo in Mozart’s Requiem. She holds a Master’s degree from the Herzen University in St. Petersburg, where she studied with Professor Nikolai Kopylov. She trained at the Verdi Academy in Busseto and participated in masterclasses at the Mariinsky Theatre.

Tianjiao Yin (Artistic name: Tiana Yinn) is a Chinese lyric soprano based in Berlin. She continues her studies at the Berlin University of the Arts under Prof. Aris Argiris. Her roles include Mimì in La Bohème (2021) and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni (2025), noted in German media for dramatic intensity and vocal clarity. In 2026, she will appear as Alice in Falstaff. With a warm, luminous timbre and a refined sense for lyrical phrasing, she is establishing herself as a distinctive young lyric soprano within the European operatic landscape.

Grand Prix Égide

Carlos Gomes Prize | Amazonas Opera Festival

Contract with Mafra Music Festival “Filipe de Sousa” (FMM)

Contract with Ópera na Academia e na Cidade (Porto)

Croatian tenor Tomislav Jukić has been a member of the International Opera Studio at the Opernhaus Zürich since the 2024/25 season, and in summer 2025 he joined the Young Singers Project at the renowned Salzburg Festival. In 2023, he won First Prize at the International Singing Competition “Mikuláš Schneider-Trnavský” in Slovakia, as well as at the International Antonín Dvořák International Singing Competition. In 2026, he was also awarded First Prize at the José Palet Competition in Martorell. He studied at the Music Academy of the University of Zagreb under Martina Zadro.

Argentinian soprano Valeria A. Delmé is based in Berlin and performs across Europe and South America. This April, she debuts at Deutsche Oper Berlin as Prima Sorella Cercatrica in Suor Angelica. In March, she was named a National Semifinalist at the Laffont Opera Competition at the Metropolitan Opera House. In 2025, she sang Kněžna in Rusalka, and in 2024 toured Germany as Second Lady in The Magic Flute. She made her operatic debut in 2018 as Pamina at Teatro Avenida. Additional highlights include the role Esther in Elecciones Primarias by Guillo Espel, a national premiere in Argentina.

Soprano Viola Westhues is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at the Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media, where she studies with Prof. Marek Rzepka and in the Lied class of Prof. Jan Philip Schulze. She has appeared as the Goose Girl in Königskinder and as Nella in Gianni Schicchi, and made her debut at the Hanover State Opera as a Modist in Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier. A prizewinner of the Hamel Opera Competition, she is a scholarship recipient of Live Music Now and the Richard Wagner Association, and has participated in masterclasses with Dorothea Röschmann and Brigitte Fassbaender.

Zhenyu Wang is a Chinese tenor. He is currently a first-year Master's student at the Department of Vocal Music and Opera, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, studying under Professor Guo Sen, an internationally acclaimed soprano and Vice President of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Opera House. With rigorous professional training in vocal performance and opera, he dedicates himself to classical music and operatic art. He is honored to take part in this competition and continue his artistic exploration.

First Prize “Teresa Berganza”, for female voice

Contract with Cascais and Oeiras Chamber Orchestra

Soprano Nuri Park is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Opera and Music Drama at the mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, studying with Prof. Christoph Ulrich Meier, Prof. Jörg Schneider, and Prof. Roland Schwab. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at Seoul National University in South Korea, where she studied with Prof. Attila Jun. From 2022 to 2024, she performed at the Korean National Opera as Pamina in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and most recently appeared as Clorinda in Rossini’s La Cenerentola at the Neue Staatsoper.

First Prize “Maurício Bensaude”, for male voice

Contract with Marvão International Music Festival (FIMM)

Contract with International Virgilijus Noreika Competition for Singers (Vilnius, Lithuania)

South Korean baritone Junyoung Choi currently pursuing his Master’s at the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin. Choi has swept numerous prestigious awards, including First Prize at the 2026 AsLiCo and 2025 Piero Cappuccilli International Competitions. He also holds Grand Prizes from the Korea National Opera and Daegu International competitions, with further honors from the Viotti and Salvatore Licitra awards. His repertoire includes title roles in Falstaff and Scarpia in Tosca at Teatro Sociale di Como. Upcoming highlights include debuts as Macbeth and Renato in Un Ballo in Maschera.

Second Prize

Contract with Festival de Ópera de Óbidos (FOO)

Contract with Mafra Music Festival “Filipe de Sousa” (FMM)

Baritone Ljubomir Milanović is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Mannheim, Germany in the class of Prof. S. Stamenković, as a scholarship holder of the prestigious German National Academic Foundation. A multiple prizewinner, he received awards at the A. Rothenberger, Nina Solo, F. Wunderlich, E. Köth and P. Salomon-Lindberg competitions. He made his professional debut in 2024 as the Flemish Deputy in Don Carlo at the Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern, a role he later reprised at Theater Koblenz. Notable roles include: Figaro, Dr. Falke, Peter Besenbinder, Musiklehrer, Mr. Gobineau i.a.

Third Prize

Best Singer under 25 Award

Contract with Mafra Music Festival “Filipe de Sousa” (FMM)

Contract with Orchestra Alma Mater (Torres Novas / Medio Tejo)

WuTongyu was born in 2002 and was awarded the first price in the undergraduate degree at Shanghai conservatory of music school. She was recommended as exemption graduate in 2025.

RTP Audience Prize

Istanbul State Opera and Ballet

OCCO Prize – Best Lusophone Performer

Contract with Algarve International Piano Festival

Beatriz Maia is a soprano currently pursuing a Master’s in Opera at the Bayerische Theaterakademie August Everding in Munich with the Prof. Christiane Iven. She earned a Music Performance degree (2018) and a Master’s in Music Education (2020) from the University of Aveiro. She has performed various roles, notably Marie (La fille du régiment) and Despina (Così fan tutte), collaborating with distinguished conductors and orchestras. An award-winning singer, she has received first prizes and audience awards at major competitions. She will join the Opera Studio of the Wiener Staatsoper in 26-28.

Contract with Marvão International Music Festival (FIMM)

Contract with Ópera na Academia e na Cidade (Porto)

South Korean Soprano Seonwoo Lee has been acclaimed for her artistry, with Opera Canada praising her "phenomenal control" and Opera News calling her "a lyric soprano of extraordinary focus and clarity." She is a graduate of the Bayerische Staatsoper's Opernstudio where roles included Oscar Un ballo in maschera, Frasquita in Carmen, Papagena Die Zauberflöte, and Amanda Le Grand Macabre. She returned to the company as Minette Die Englishe Katze and first Courtier in the world premiere of Of One Blood. She also made her role and house debut as Gilda Rigoletto at Royal Danish Opera.

Contract with Mafra Music Festival “Filipe de Sousa” (FMM)

Italian mezzo-soprano Arianna Manganello has been a member of the ensamble of Deutsche Oper Berlin since 2020, where she has performed roles such as Rosina (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro), Hansel (Hansel und Gretel), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Smeton (Anna Bolena), Fuchs (Die Schlaue Füchslein), Fenena (Nabucco) etc. She debuted at Teatro Regio di Parma, Teatro San Carlo di Napoli, as well as Teatro Goldoni Livorno, National Theatre in Belgrade, Piccolo Opera Festival Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Contract with Ópera na Academia e na Cidade (Porto)

South Korean Baritone Junseok Hwang is a graduate of the Juilliard School where he studied with tenor William Burden. His operatic roles include Papageno in ‘Die Zauberflöte,’ Il Marito in ‘Amelia Al Ballo,’ Peter in ‘Hansel and Gretel,’ and more. He has previously appeared in Hawaii Performing Arts festivals and Aspen Music Festival. Beginning fall 2026, Junseok will start his residency in the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, USA.