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 and Non-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 singing talents outside of China. These chosen talents will then have the opportunity to compete in the main event in Ninbo, China.

Are you from Europe and want to apply? Then click here.

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-noneurope (USD 80 application fee)

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

III. Digital Jury

  • 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 Non-Chinese 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)

All 30 qualifiers of the Non-Chinese 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.

V. Semi-Final (with piano)

1) Two art songs;

2) Two opera arias;

3) One Chinese art song chosen from the following list, sung in Chinese language (transposition into other keys allowed). The Organizing Commitee will provide scores:

  • My Sentiments to Yangtze River, Lyric by Li Zhiyi (Song Dynasty), Music by Qing Zhu
  • How can I bear not missing, Lyric by Liu Bannong, Music by Zhao Yuanren
  • Rainbow Sister, Folk song rom Hebei, piano accompaniment by A.Tcherepnin
  • Mooring by Maple Bridge at Night, Lyric by Zhang Ji, Music by Li Yinghai
  • The Mighty River Flows Eastward, Lyric by Su Shi(Song Dynasty), Music by Qing Zhu
  • At a place faraway, folk song from Xinjiang, arranged by Wang Luobin
  • That is me, Lyric by Xiao Guang, Music by Gu Jianfen
  • I Love This Land, Lyric by Ai Qing, Music by Xiao Chunyuan
  • Three Wishes of the Rose, Lyric by Long Yusheng, Music by Huang Zi
  • Longing For Native Land, Lyric by Du Zhixue, Music by Liu Gong

VI. Final (with orchestra)

Two opera arias at the competitor’s own discretion.

VII. Jury in Ningbo

This year’s jury consists of 9 artist with outstanding achievements in international vocal teaching and stage perfromance from France, Germany, Italy, the United States, China and Austria (Daniel Serafin).

VIII. Number & Amount of Prizes

Male & Female Group –

First prize: 20.000 USD (twenty thousand)

Second prize: 10.000 USD (ten thousand)

Third prize: 6.000 USD (six thousand)

Fourth prize: 4.000 USD (four thousand)

All Finalists: Additionally there is the possibility of winning an engagement at the Opera am Steinbruch under the artistic direction of ACMA Honorary Chairman Daniel Serafin.

IX. Schedule & Application Deadline

Application Form