I. Intro

Since the launching of the China International Vocal Competition in Ningbo in 2005, it has attracted over 1600 contestants from over 40 countries from five continents. Many domestic and foreign singers outperformed in the International Vocal Competition have become famous young singers in various countries.

Now, the 2023 Ningbo International Vocal Competition, sponsored by the Central Conservatory of Music and the Ningbo Municipal People’s Government, will be held from December 2th to 11th, 2023 in Ningbo, China.

In an exciting development, the 2023 Ningbo International Vocal Competition is collaborating with the Austrian Chinese Musicians Association (ACMA) to introduce the European Preliminary round. ACMA, known for its commitment to promoting classical music and discovering exceptional talents, will organize and oversee the selection process for the best European singing talents. These chosen talents will then have the opportunity to compete in the main event in Ninbo, China.

II. Application

Singers of all nations, aged from 18 to 35 (born before December 1st of 2005 and after December 2nd of 1988), are eligible to apply.

The applicants could register through the website: www.acma.at/ningbo (EUR 80 application fee, will be refunded if you don’t participate in the second qualification round)

The first qualification round will be held digital. Please upload one opera aria and one art song.

The second qualification round (with piano) will take place on the September 13th 2023, from 10 am to 6 pm, in Palais Ehrbar, Mühlgasse 28, 1040 Vienna, Austria.

Can’t attend the Vienna pre-competition in person? You can still apply digitally for an opportunity to advance to the Ningbo event.

Competition Repertoire:

Two opera arias in different styles and languages and one art song of your choice.

III. Jury in Vienna

• Daniel Serafin, Artistic Director, Oper im Steinbruch, St. Margarethen and Honor Chairman ACMA
• Axel Mendrok, ZAV Künstlervermittlung
• Prof. Dr. Martin Vácha, Professor at MdW
• Samantha Faber, CEO Sono Artists
• Evelyn Schörkhuber, ACMA Vice Chairwoman

IV. Qualification & Cost Support

Up to 30 participants of the European Preliminary qualify for the 2023 Ningbo International Vocal Competition in Ningbo from December 2th to December 11th.

The qualifiers ranked 1 to 5 will be entitled to full payment of travel and accommodation costs. The qualifiers with place 6 to 30 will be entitled to a one-time payment in the amount of USD 450 each and full payment for accomodation.

V. Preliminary in Ningbo (with piano)

Up to 30 qualifiers of the European Preliminary will join the Preliminary in Ningbo, in total 60.

1) One solo song chosen from the Passions, Oratorios, Masses or Cantatas by composers of the 17th and 18th century such as Bach, Handel, Haydn, Gluck and Mozart, concert arias, operas or works by composers of the Baroque period;

2) One art song chosen from the works of Beethoven, Dvorak, Faure, Grieg, Debussy, Moussorgsky, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Richard Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Wolf, Rachmanioff, Mendelssohn, Ravel and Wagner, etc;

3) One opera aria at the competitor’s own discretion.