Cardiff Singer competition rules

Venue and date

BBC Cardiff Singer of the World takes place in Cardiff, Wales in odd-numbered years. It is normally held in early to mid June, with concerts and recitals taking place over nine days, from Sunday to Sunday inclusive.

Rehearsals are scheduled from the previous Wednesday.

All contestants are obliged to stay until 1pm on the Monday following the end of the competition for press coverage purposes.

Age range for competitors

The competition is open to people aged 18-32 on 1 June of the competition year.

Background

Founded in 1983, this biennial event is now an essential part of the operatic and television calendar. Organised by BBC Wales, the competition offers those entering an unrivalled opportunity to take part in a competitive event supported by caring staff and using the services of experienced conductors and accompanists.

The 20 singers - selected from world-wide auditions - are invited to take part in two sections of this competition, the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition and BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Song Prize.

Only one singer may be selected to represent their country.

Contestants are brought to Cardiff and accommodated at the competition's expense.

The competition also includes an education programme.

BBC Cardiff Singer of the World

Each singer takes part in one of four concerts in the preliminary round. These are held from Monday to Thursday at St David's Hall, Cardiff, in which they perform a programme of music of their own choice between 15 and 17 minutes music duration. They will be accompanied by one of the competition's two resident orchestras: the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera.

After the fourth concert the five finalists are announced. These are the singers whom the Jury considers to have given the best performances all week.

The organising committee will determine the placing of competitors in the concerts.

The final on the second Sunday is normally broadcast live on the BBC's television, radio and online services. Only items accompanied by orchestra will be performed and contestants may choose their own programme of between 15 and 17 minutes of music. The winner receives a cash prize as well as possible engagements with the BBC and Welsh National Opera. The other four finalists will receive cash prizes.

Song Prize

It is not compulsory to compete in the Song Prize, but it is not possible to compete in the Song Prize only.

This is a separate event, with recitals in the preliminary round taking place at the New Theatre, Cardiff, from the first Sunday of the competition.

The singers will perform a programme of between 14 and 18 minutes which they have chosen and which can include folk or national songs as well as Lieder and art songs. The competition provides official accompanists although contestants may bring their own accompanists at their own expense.

After the last recital the five finalists are announced.

The Song Prize final is held in St David's Hall on the Friday of the competition. For this it is necessary to prepare 15 to 20 minutes of music. It is possible to repeat material performed in the first concert but it will be necessary to include at least one item not performed in the preliminary round.

The name of the winner of the Song Prize will be announced at the end of the Song Prize final.

The winner will receive a cash prize and in addition may be selected for the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists Scheme which offers a series of high profile broadcasts and engagements.

Repertoire

The programmes for the preliminary and final rounds of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World should be between 15 and 17 minutes music duration.

The programme for the preliminary round of the Song Prize should be 14 to 18 minutes of material and the Song Prize final 15 to 20 minutes. It is possible to repeat songs but the final must include at least one item not performed in the preliminary round.

Song is defined as Lieder and art song from all countries and all periods and includes less familiar works from competitors' own national repertory. Arrangements of folk songs are also eligible for consideration in the Song Prize category. Items may be performed with piano or unaccompanied.

A vocal score of each item to be performed must be supplied in the edition stated and in the key in which it will be sung.

Programmes should be submitted in the competitor's preferred order of performance. The organising committee reserves the right to make changes to programmes in consultation with the competitor, following submission.

Participants must undertake to supply all the orchestral and/or piano scores required if the BBC has difficulty in obtaining them. It is advisable not to include items that substantially exceed the instrumentation of a large symphony orchestra.

No changes of programme will be accepted after the middle of March of the year of the competition.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals will be scheduled in Cardiff from the Wednesday before the start of the competition. The competition organisers will be responsible for determining the rehearsal schedule.

Orchestras

The orchestras are the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera.

Piano accompanists

Official piano accompanists will be available for rehearsal and competition for singers who do not bring their own accompanists. The allocation of these official accompanists will be made by the organiser of the competition. In the event that competitors wish to bring their own accompanists, they do so at their own expense. The BBC will own all accompanists' television, video cassette, CD, DVD, internet and radio world rights without payment for the contribution.

The jury

The jury will be a mixture of internationally recognised opera and Lieder experts.

Voting system

At the end of each concert in the preliminary round of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World at St David's Hall, the jury will place the competitors in order of merit according to the marks awarded. The winner of each concert in the preliminary round will be the singer with the lowest marks.

After the fifth concert the five finalists will be announced. These are the singers whom the Jury considers to be those who have given the best performances all week.

The finalists in the Song Prize will be the singers whom the Jury considers to have given the best performance throughout the recital round.

In the event of a tie, the chairman of the jury shall have the casting vote. The voting shall be supervised by the competition organisers.

Dress

Dress for the concerts, recitals and finals should be formal (tails, white shirt and tie for men and long dresses for ladies.)

Master classes

On the second Saturday, a series of master classes will be given by members of the jury to some of the contestants who have not been selected for the final.

Prizes

All prize money is subject to UK tax regulations.

BBC Cardiff Singer of the World: the winner will receive a cash prize plus a trophy and possible appearances with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera. Each of the other finalists will receive a cash prize.

Song Prize: a cash prize and may be selected for the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists Scheme.

Broadcasting

All aspects of the competition, including all concerts and recitals, receive widespread coverage on the BBC's television and radio channels, also available online in the UK. The appropriate broadcasting authority and the competition will own all rights in all recordings in perpetuity throughout the world in all media now known or hereafter invented without payment to any competitor or own accompanist.

Expenses

The following will be arranged for each competitor, free of charge:

For non-United Kingdom based competitors: tourist rate return air ticket from the competitor's country plus second-class return rail fare to Cardiff. If travel arrangements are changed after the airline tickets have been issued, any additional cost incurred is the responsibility of the competitor.

For United Kingdom based competitors: second-class return rail fare to Cardiff.

For all competitors: all hotel costs for bed and breakfast plus a daily allowance in Cardiff for the entire duration of the competition and rehearsals.

All necessary transport costs within Cardiff will be met by the competition.

Any additional expenses must be covered by the competitor.

Should competitors wish to bring their own accompanists, they do so entirely at their own expense.

Photographs

The competition requires two colour portrait photographs 7 x 5 inches or a high resolution digital colour image (not in costume).

Key Dates

At any time:

• Singers interested in applying can email anna.williams47@btconnect.com at any time.
• October-December, even years: auditions take place worldwide.
• February, odd years: 20 selected singers to submit completed entry forms and full programme details for the competition.
• March, odd years: vocal scores to arrive of all items to be performed, in the correct key and from the chosen edition. No change of programme after mid March.
• Wednesday before competition: rehearsals start in Cardiff.
• Early-mid June, eight days, Sunday-Sunday: BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition (both events).
• Monday following end of competition: 20 competitors leave Cardiff at 1300.