Press releases

MINSK, 26 October (BelTA) – The National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus will hold the second edition of the Minsk International Christmas Singing Competition from 9 to 15 December, BelTA learned from the Bolshoi theater.

Male singers born in/after 1976 and female singers born in/after 1979, with higher music school degree (or still students) or employees (guest singers) of professional music theaters, are invited to participate in the competition.

Chairman of the jury and competition organizing committee, General Director of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus Vladimir Gridyushko said: “When we were thinking about organizing the first Minsk International Christmas Singing Competition, we could not imagine that it would evoke such a big response in the musical world and that it would become important for the participants, for their careers and the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus. In December 2014 it gathered more than 150 participants from 20 countries. This prompted us to take a decision to organize the competitions every year.”

“Holding such a large-scale singing competition is prestigious both for the theater and for our country. Young singers need such a competition. Every artist wishes to be heard, to be evaluated by professionals: theater directors, impresarios, singers and renowned musicians. Our competition opens unique prospects for personal and professional development. Seven days of the Minsk Singing Competition are full of unforgettable meetings, communication, new contacts and interesting creative offers,” Vladimir Gridyushko added.

The second edition of the Minsk International Christmas Singing Competition will have three rounds, the first two will be held with piano accompaniment, the third one with orchestral accompaniment. In the third (final) round the participants shall sing one of the leading parts of classical or modern operas. The second and the third round will be held on the main stage of the theater.

The grand-prix winner will receive $10,000 in prize money, and the first-prize winner $8,000. The second-prize winner is entitled to $6,000, and third-prize winner to $4,000.

The second edition of the Competition has been organized by the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of the Republic of Belarus. The general partner is Belarusbank.