1.1
The Viva Classic Vocal Contest 2026 (VCVC, hereafter referred to as “the Competition”) will take place in Düsseldorf and Venlo between 4 June and 5 September 2026.

1.2
The Competition is open to singers of all nationalities who meet the following criteria:

• Candidates must be born on 31 August 1993 or later (maximum age of 32 years);
• Candidates must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application;
• Candidates must have completed professional vocal training or be currently enrolled in a conservatory or an equivalent professional training programme;
• Candidates must demonstrate a connection to the regions of Limburg, North Brabant or North Rhine-Westphalia through residence, origin, study or professional activity, either currently or in the past.

The Competition welcomes singers specialising in opera, operetta and classical song repertoire.

1.3
The Competition consists of three rounds:

• First Round (video selection);
• Semi-final;
• Grand Final.

1.4
Participation in the First Round is based on a video submission. The application deadline is 4 June 2026.

1.5
All decisions made by the jury are final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the jury’s decisions.

Competition Schedule (subject to change)

• 4 June 2026 – Application deadline
• 8 June 2026 – Jury assessment of video submissions
• 22 June 2026 – Semi-finals, masterclass and career consultations at Oper am Rhein, Düsseldorf
• 29 August 2026 – Public masterclass at Maaspoort, Venlo
• 30 August 2026 – Grand Final at Domani Cultural Stage, Venlo
• 4 & 5 September 2026 – Performances by the winner at Viva Classic Live at the Park, Venlo

1.7
The Viva Classic Vocal Contest aims to identify, support and promote outstanding young vocal talent from the Euregio Meuse-Rhine.

By combining competition rounds, masterclasses, professional coaching, career consultations and performance opportunities, the Competition serves as a platform for artistic development, international exchange and professional networking.

The Competition embraces both opera and classical song traditions and seeks to create lasting connections between emerging singers and leading institutions, casting professionals and cultural organisations in the Netherlands and Germany.

2.1
Applications must be submitted exclusively via the official online registration form of the Competition. An application will only be considered valid once all required information and documentation have been submitted in full and the application fee has been received.

2.2 Application Fee

The application fee amounts to €25.

The application fee includes complimentary admission tickets for family members and guests to attend the Grand Final should the candidate be selected for the live rounds.

The application fee is non-refundable.

3.1
Candidates selected for subsequent rounds will be informed in due course and will receive detailed information regarding schedules and practical arrangements.

3.2
The order of performances during the Competition will be determined by the organisation.

3.3
Participation in the Semi-final masterclass is mandatory and forms an integral part of the Competition.

3.4 Jury

The jury of the Viva Classic Vocal Contest 2026 consists of:

• Barbara Haveman – internationally acclaimed soprano and Professor of Voice;
• Marwin Wendt – Interim Artistic Director, Oper am Rhein Düsseldorf-Duisburg;
• Sef Thissen – baritone, founder of Viva Classic Live and Chair of the Jury.

The organisation reserves the right to appoint substitute jury members in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

3.5
Participants are not permitted to communicate with members of the jury during the Competition. Likewise, no third party may communicate with jury members on behalf of a participant. Any violation of this rule may result in immediate disqualification.

3.6
After the Semi-final, candidates who are not selected for the Grand Final may request written feedback from the jury.

3.7
If a participant is or has recently been a regular student of a jury member, that jury member will abstain from evaluating that participant.

3.8
The jury reserves the right not to award one or more prizes.

3.9
Participants are expected to appear in appropriate professional concert attire during all public rounds of the Competition.

3.10
Participants admitted to the live rounds must submit legible digital copies (PDF) of the sheet music of their full repertoire no later than 1 August 2026.

4.1
The Competition consists of three rounds: First Round, Semi-final and Grand Final.

4.2 First Round (Video Submission)

Candidates are required to submit:

• A video recording of two contrasting works consisting of opera arias and/or classical songs, performed in different languages and representing different stylistic periods, accompanied by piano;
• A short written motivation outlining the candidate’s connection to Limburg, North Brabant or North Rhine-Westphalia.

4.3 Semi-final

Candidates selected for the Semi-final must prepare a programme of six works consisting of opera arias and/or classical songs, representing at least three different languages and three different stylistic periods, including at least one work by Mozart.

During the live audition, candidates may begin with a work of their own choice, after which the jury will select additional works from the submitted programme.

4.4 Masterclass

Immediately following the Semi-final, participants will take part in a masterclass led by Eva-Maria Westbroek.

Each participant will receive approximately 30 minutes of individual coaching focusing on vocal technique, musical interpretation and artistic expression.

Participation in this masterclass is an essential component of the Competition.

As part of the Grand Final programme, finalists will participate in a second, more in-depth public masterclass on 29 August 2026 in Venlo, also led by Eva-Maria Westbroek.

4.5 Career Consultations

As part of the Semi-final programme, participants may take part in individual career consultations with invited professionals from the opera and music theatre sector, including representatives of ZAV Künstlervermittlung Köln and other partner organisations.

These consultations are intended to provide professional feedback, career advice and information about opportunities within the international opera and classical music profession.

Participation is voluntary and has no influence on the jury’s assessment.

4.6 Grand Final

Finalists will perform two works accompanied by orchestra or ensemble, depending on the final artistic set-up of the Grand Final.

The works may consist of opera arias and/or classical songs (Lied, mélodie or comparable repertoire), provided suitable arrangements are available.

One work is chosen by the candidate. The second work will be selected by the jury from the repertoire presented during the Semi-final.

All repertoire must be performed:

• In the original language;
• In the appropriate key for the voice type;
• Entirely from memory.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the three highest-ranking candidates, alongside several development prizes.

In collaboration with Oper am Rhein, ZAV Künstlervermittlung Köln, Opera Zuid and other professional partners, the Competition offers participants valuable opportunities for artistic feedback, career guidance and professional visibility.

The Semi-final functions not only as a competition round but also as a professional encounter platform where participants can engage with representatives of cultural institutions, artist agencies and music theatre organisations.

The Grand Final serves as a showcase platform for invited opera professionals, casting directors, artistic administrators, festival programmers, sponsors and representatives of the international music theatre sector.

The Grand Final will be presented as a public concert event, providing finalists with the opportunity to perform before a live audience, invited professionals and supporters of the Competition.

The winner of the Competition will be invited to perform as a featured young soloist during Viva Classic Live on 4 and 5 September 2026 alongside established international artists.

These performances will take place in the open-air setting of Julianapark in Venlo and may be recorded and broadcast by regional and national media partners.

The Competition provides participants with lunch and refreshments during the Semi-final and Grand Final rounds.

Participants will have access to rehearsal facilities prior to both the Semi-final and Grand Final, including rehearsal time with piano and, for finalists, rehearsal time with orchestra or ensemble.

The Grand Final is open to the public. Tickets are available at an accessible public rate.

Participants admitted to the live rounds are entitled to a limited number of complimentary tickets for family members and guests, subject to availability and further instructions from the organisation.

Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel documents, visas and insurance.

The Competition accepts no liability for illness, injury, loss or damage to personal belongings during travel or participation. Any medical costs incurred are the responsibility of the participant.

By submitting an application, participants agree to all provisions of these regulations and to all obligations connected to any prizes awarded.

Participants grant the Competition the right to record, photograph, film, livestream, broadcast and otherwise reproduce performances, rehearsals and Competition-related activities without payment of additional fees.

All image, audio and broadcasting rights related to the Competition remain with the organisation.

The organisation reserves the right to amend the programme, venues, timetable and regulations if circumstances so require.

All rights reserved. Programme subject to change.

Oper am Rhein
Heinrich-Heine-Allee 16A
40213 Düsseldorf
Germany

Maaspoort Venlo
Oude Markt 30
5911 HH Venlo
The Netherlands

Domani Cultural Stage
Dominicanenplein 15
5911 KN Venlo
The Netherlands

Julianapark Venlo
Deken van Oppensingel 6
5911 AE Venlo
The Netherlands