The International Vocal Competition (IVC) signifies over a week of musical celebration with the very best classical singing voices at, as has been tradition for years, at the Theater aan de Parade in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. The week builds up from auditions during preliminary rounds worldwide, through masterclasses, workshops, concerts, lectures, first rounds, semi-finals, and encounters in the corridors, leading up to the exciting finale. For this week, people from all over the world come to Den Bosch: rising top talent from dozens of nationalities and international jury members, but also impresarios, artistic directors, casting directors, and the international press. And of course, the audience, the singing enthusiasts, from inside and outside the city, from the province and the Netherlands, but also from abroad. People come to Den Bosch to see the new generation of top talents perform and to meet each other.
Presenting your talent and artistry is an important factor why a competition is such a beloved instrument in the development of a blossoming singing career. Semi-finals, concerts, and masterclasses are streamed online and can be viewed worldwide. Important international media mention your name. The socials buzz. People in the auditorium and online can make a difference for your future: participants often receive audition invitations after the event on their way to the big stages.
And that's not even mentioning the prizes to be won, cash prizes and prizes in opportunities. Up to €45,000 in prize money is awarded. The total prize money is made available by sponsors and private generous donors who associate their name with a prize. Besides the main prize, for instance, there are several specialist prizes, such as the Wagner Prize, awarded by the Wagner Society Netherlands, consisting of a cash prize and a scholarship for lessons with renowned Wagner specialists. There is also an encouragement prize for Young Talent under 25 years of age. The international press awards a prize, and there is also a junior jury consisting of conservatory students, and the audience prize is awarded. Last year, for the first time, a prize was given for the best performance of work by female composers. There is also a prize for the compulsory contemporary work that has been written biennially by Dutch composers for the competition since 2002.
The prizes, which are converted into career opportunities and stage experience, have a value that cannot be expressed in money. The masterclasses, workshops, and personal feedback sessions with the jury members can really make a difference in the development of an artist.
During the International Vocal Competition, different classical singing genres are alternately the focus; one year opera and oratorio and the other year Lied. Visitors can enjoy fantastic classically trained voices in both years, who are accompanied from the various audition rounds by a competition pianist, specialists in their field. In the LiedDuo year, the singer and pianist together participate in the competition. In the Opera | Oratorio year, the singers compete against each other, and the finalists perform with the symphony orchestra Philzuid under an international top conductor.
It is annually a week in which large groups of people immerse themselves in another world, for pleasure, or for work. Within the city and the province, there is also a temporary shift of priorities. Dozens of host families pause their lives and welcome about 70 (nervously excited) singers into their homes and at their breakfast tables. Members of the Philzuid symphony orchestra come from all corners of South Netherlands to the city to prepare for the finale. The IVC production team, together with a host of volunteers, runs a marathon and orchestrates all these streams of people and resources along the tight timelines of logistical planning; out of the rehearsal room, onto the stage, out of the hotel, into the restaurant, thousands of details.
The competition is 'merely' the culmination of a year of worldwide auditions. What starts with about 500 singers signing up to participate in the competition is reduced through a process of preliminary rounds (in Den Bosch, Amsterdam, Berlin, London, New York, Poland, China, and online) to the 70 greatest talents admitted to the first rounds in Den Bosch. There are a number of criteria for registration, such as professional ambitions, age limits, and repertoire requirements. The repertoire requirements include, among other things, arias and songs from various style periods (from Baroque to contemporary music), in many languages, and sung from memory. Juries are composed of a group of relevant experts from the artistic world, seeking a balance between potential employers (artistic decision-makers) and artists who have earned their stripes and are often magnets for visitors and the press.
The annual IVC is a tough competition with a human face. We are very aware of the pressure young singers experience and strive to give every participant - even those who do not win - a valuable experience that serves as an encouragement for the future. The IVC is renowned for its warm hospitality and care for all participants. We are proud of that.
The IVC has acted as a springboard for many singers that today enjoy international renown; they still feel a connection with us and as a result often perform as ambassadors for the IVC as well as taking part in IVC activities. Prize winners from the last 70 years include Elly Ameling, Jules Bastin, Measha Brueggergosman, Cora Burggraaf, John Bröcheler, Viorica Cortez, Ileana Cotrubas, Thomas Hampson, Howard Haskin, Robert Holl, Nadine Koutcher, Petra Lang, Yvonne Minton, Nelly Miricioiu, Jard van Nes, Jevgeni Nesterenko, Vladimir Pankratov, Margriet van Reisen, Lenneke Ruiten, Wolfgang Schöne, Henk Smit, Elzbieta Szmytka, Pretty Yende and Ruth Ziesak.