The third edition of the Cascais Opera – International Vocal Competition will take place from 29 May to 7 June 2026 in Cascais and Lisbon, further establishing itself as a global platform for emerging opera talent.
From 499 applications across 59 countries, 41 singers have been selected to compete in Cascais, spanning 25 nationalities. The most represented countries include China, Germany, South Korea and Portugal, alongside a broader geographical presence from the Americas and Africa.
This international reach reflects Cascais Opera’s integration into leading networks such as OLA – Ópera Latinoamérica and the World Federation of International Music Competitions, strengthening opportunities for artistic mobility and professional development.
The competition opens on 29 May with an Opening Concert featuring Sílvia Sequeira, Ana Rita Coelho, John Pumphrey and Sergei Leiferkus, accompanied by the Cascais and Oeiras Chamber Orchestra and the Lisbon Cantat Symphonic Choir.
Public rounds take place on 30–31 May, followed by the Semi-Finals on 2 June and the Semifinalists’ Concert on 4 June. The programme also includes masterclasses and outreach activities throughout the week.
The competition culminates in the Final Concert on 7 June at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon, where eight finalists will perform with the Cascais Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Antonio Pirolli.
Tickets for the Final are available here.
Most events are free and open to the public.
