1

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION AND REGISTRATION

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The competition is open to singers who are at the beginning of their stage careers and were born after January 1, 1991.

 

 

The repertoire/program should consist of a total of five (5) vocal pieces/scenes: three vocal pieces/scenes from Richard Wagner's operas and two arias / scenes from operas by other composers (Richard Wagner is also possible) of your choice in the original language and key. The repertoire/program must be specified when registering.

 

To apply, a video file (no audio file) must be submitted (uploaded) containing at least one excerpt from an opera by Richard Wagner and one opera aria / scene from an opera of your choice. The upload must be accompanied by a complete application in German or English, as well as other documents.

 

The video should not be more than one year old. The deadline for submissions is April 15, 2026, 23.59 h CET.

 

The expert jury will decide who will participate in the preliminary selection in Bayreuth. The number of applicants admitted to the preliminary selection in Bayreuth is limited to a total of 40. The decision of the expert jury will be announced here by May 31, 2026, at the latest.

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2

COST REGULATIONS

 

Travel and accommodation costs for the preliminary selection in Bayreuth are to be borne by the participants themselves.

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3

PRE-SELECTION

August 5-6, 2026

 

The pre-selection of candidates for the semi-final will take place during the Bayreuth Festival from August 5-6, 2026, at the Municipal Music School, Brandenburger Straße 15, D-95448 Bayreuth.

 

Candidates selected for the preliminary selection will be informed of the exact time and place of their audition in good time. From the specified repertoire/program, an aria or scene from an opera by Richard Wagner and, if requested by the jury, a second piece of your choice must be prepared for the preliminary selection. The piece from an opera of your choice may also be by Richard Wagner. The total duration of this preliminary selection should not exceed ten minutes.

 

Singers must bring the required piano reduction with them. They will be accompanied on the grand piano by a répétiteur, but may also bring an accompanist of their choice at their own expense. Candidates will be informed of rehearsal opportunities in due course. The order of appearance will be determined by drawing lots. The expert jury will select a total of 16 candidates to participate in the semi-final.​​

 

4

SEMIFINALS

August 8, 2026

 

The semifinals will be presented by the selected singers in a public concert on August 8, 2026. Two pieces of music will be performed, one of which must be from an opera by Richard Wagner, the second from an opera of any chosen composer. The piece of their choice may also be by Richard Wagner. The order of the auditions will be determined by drawing lots. The candidates will be assessed by the expert jury. It will select a total of six candidates to participate in the final.

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5

FINAL

August 11, 2026

 

The final round, featuring the six finalists, will be held as a public concert on August 11, 2026, in the Great Hall of the Friedrichsforum, conducted by Axel Kober with members of the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra. The program will consist exclusively of excerpts from works by Richard Wagner; it will be finalized by the candidates in consultation with the musical director and the chair of the expert jury.​​

 

6

PRIZES

 

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​FIRST PRIZE

15,000 euros

 

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SECOND PRIZE

Wolfgang Wagner Prize of the Society of Friends of Bayreuth

​10,000 euros

 

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AUDIENCE PRIZE

5,000 euros

 

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Each participant in the final will also receive a prize of 2,500 euros.

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7

GENERAL PROVISIONS

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The Richard Wagner Association Bayreuth will announce in due course:

- The exact composition of the expert jury

- The awarding of any further prizes, in particular further engagements for opera or concert performances, engagements, etc.

Participants agree that their curriculums or application material may be made available to artistic management offices and directors of other opera houses.

By registering, applicants accept these competition rules. The decision of the expert jury is final. Should the competition be broadcast in whole or in part on radio or television, the candidates cannot assert any rights or claims to fees. Should the competition have to be canceled for valid reasons, the candidates have no legal claims. The German version of the announcement is binding for all languages.​

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8

EVALUATION CRITERIA

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- Artistic personality/presence/charisma

- Voice quality/voice presence/voice projection

- Musical interpretation (rhythm, phrasing, expression)

- Technical skill

- Text pronunciation

- Interpretation​

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9

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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The organizers would like to express their sincere thanks to the individuals who have made the success of this singing competition possible:

Georg von Waldenfels, Chairman of the Society of Friends of Bayreuth e.V.

Prof. Dr. Hans-Michael Schneider, Richard Wagner Association Karlsruhe e.V.
Alessandra Althoff Pugliese, Richard Wagner Association Venice
The Board of the Ritter Foundation 

The Board of the Zajadacz Foundation​