Competition Presentation
Sergei Leiferkus
Artistic director and President of the Jury
Adriano Jordão
Artistic director
A newcomer to the panoply of international opera competitions, Cascais Opera- International Vocal Competition will hold its first edition from April 6-14, 2024 at the Cultural Centre in Cascais and the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos in Lisbon.
Intended as a showcase for the most promising young talents in opera singing worldwide, Cascais Opera – International Vocal Competition is open to applicants from all countries and voice types, aged 18 to 32.
Competition founder and artistic director is the renowned baritone Sergei Leiferkus, who is also president of the international jury panel. Jury members, for the 1st edition, range from the casting directors of both the Vienna and Bavarian State Operas to the artistic directors of Lisbon’s Teatro Nacional de São Carlos and the Serbian National Theatre in Novi Sad, while also including experienced singers and professors from distinguished European theatres and conservatoires.
The final round of the competition will be hosted by the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos in Lisbon, one of Europe’s truly historic opera houses, where the singers will also be accompanied by its own orchestra, the Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa – a partnership we hope will be long-lasting!
Additionally, the winner of the competition’s ‘Grand Prix’ will receive either an operatic role, or an engagement as a soloist in the concert seasons at Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, and one of the laureates will be cast in an operatic role within Novi Sad Serbian National Theatre’s lyric season.
Historically a prestigious town, whose residents and visitors have included members of many of Europe’s royal families, Cascais combines a rich past with eye-catching cultural and touristic events today.
With its eye set on quickly becoming one of the world’s most prestigious singing competitions, this International Vocal Competition aims at enhancing Cascais’ global cultural appeal.
Sergei Leiferkus e Adriano Jordão
Artistic directors
Carlos Carreiras
Mayor of Cascais
It is with great pleasure that I welcome the Cascais Opera project, which, through its first initiative, the “International Vocal Competition,” will bring to us the elite of the international operatic community.
It was an illustrious resident of Cascais, who has lived among us for ten years and is one of the most important global references in lyrical singing, the baritone Sergei Leiferkus, who brought the initiative that we have enthusiastically embraced with wishes for its continuity.
Joining the team involved in the project are the jury and prizes from the most important opera houses in Europe, including, of course, our National Theatre of São Carlos, where the Finals will take place. The other preliminary rounds will be held in municipal facilities.
From April 6 to 14, 2024, in the first edition of the International Vocal Competition, singers from around the world will fill Cascais with music, and it will be these singers who will carry the name of Cascais with them as they continue their careers.
I extend my best wishes for success to all.
Carlos Carreiras
Mayor of Cascais
