Competition calls for budding opera singers

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

Leyla Gencer

Applications for the seventh Leyla Gencer Voice Competition are now being accepted. The deadline for entries to the event, organized in the name of Turkish opera legend Leyla Gencer, or “La diva Turca,” is April 16, 2012.

 In collaboration with the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) and Teatro alla Scala, the competition aims to identify up-and-coming stars in the world of opera.

Pre-selection will be made in six European countries, including Berlin (April 26), London (May 4), Vienna (May 7) Madrid (May 10), Milan (May 14) and Istanbul (May 16 and 17) to evaluate the operatic talents of individuals from all over the world. The finalists will unite in Istanbul on Sept. 16.

Mirella Freni will head up the jury this year and the competition will end Sept. 20 with a concert by Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra.

The winner of the Leyla Gencer Voice Competition will receive 12,500 euros, the runner-up will win 7,500 euros while third place will take home 3,500 euros.

The La Scala Theater Academy Special Prize will also given for the first time this year, providing a selected student with a three-month scholarship.