The second edition of the Cascais Opera is set to take place from the 23rd of April to the 4th of May of 2025. This competition is co-organised by the CIVOC Association, the Cascais City Council, and the D. Luís I Foundation, aiming to promote emerging talents in the world of opera.
Singers aged between 18 and 32, across all vocal types, are invited to apply for awards totalling over €40,000, spread across nine categories. In addition to the cash prizes, winners will have the opportunity to sign contracts with festivals and opera theatres or to be invited for international tours, as participants will have direct contact with various agents in the field.
Entries for this international lyrical singing competition opened on the 1st of October and applications are open until the 15th of December. The final rounds will take place at the Grand Auditorium of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon, featuring the orchestra of the National Theatre of São Carlos - Portuguese Symphony Orchestra.
Cascais Opera boasts the artistic direction of renowned Russian baritone Sergei Leiferkus, who will serve as the jury president for the upcoming edition. The international panel also includes notable names from the opera world, such as Pal Moe, Ivan van Kalmthout, Anna Samuil, Juliane Banse, Jennifer Larmore, and Eliane de Kat.
The first edition of the competition was held across various cultural venues in Cascais, with the final taking place at the National Theatre of São Carlos in Lisbon. Over 200 applications were registered from 39 countries. Korean baritone Hae Kang was awarded the prestigious Grand Prix Égide. Among the national talent, Sílvia Sequeira received the first prize "Teresa Berganza" for female voice, while Teresa Sales Rebordão and Constança Melo were contracted for several festivals and operas.