Portuguese soprano Constança Melo, a semifinalist in the 2026 edition of the Cascais Opera – International Vocal Competition, has been selected to participate as a scholarship recipient in the WFIMC Forum 2026 – “Inspiring the Future”, one of the most significant international gatherings dedicated to the future of classical music and the development of the next generation of artists.
Over the course of five days, Constança Melo join a group of 39 artists selected from 132 applications worldwide, benefiting from a scholarship that includes travel, accommodation, and full participation in the Forum. Throughout the event, participants will have the opportunity to perform in concert, establish professional contacts, exchange experiences with colleagues from different countries, and present artistic projects to leading professionals in the field.
The young soprano’s participation follows a nomination by the Artistic Directors of Cascais Opera, reinforcing the competition’s commitment to creating meaningful professional development opportunities for its participants beyond the competitive stage.
The Forum is organised by the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC), a network that brings together more than 120 of the world’s most prestigious music competitions, of which Cascais Opera is a member. Held annually, the Forum gathers professionals to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing classical music, while fostering knowledge exchange and the development of international collaborative networks.
The scholarship programme for young musicians is one of the Forum’s key initiatives, designed to prepare emerging artists for the realities of the professional music world. In addition to performance opportunities, participants have access to mentoring sessions, conferences, workshops, and networking activities, helping them develop the skills necessary to build sustainable international careers.
Over its first three editions, Cascais Opera has established itself as a platform for the discovery, training, and international promotion of young singers, building connections with some of the most important institutions and networks in the global music sector.
