19 September -
16 October 2026
Lausanne

Rounds

Schedule

Final

16 October 2026

Opéra de Lausanne

The six finalists will have the opportunity to perform, for the last round, on the stage of the Opéra de Lausanne. They will be accompanied by the HEMU Orchestra, conducted by Jean-Marie Zeitouni.

Semi-final

2 and 3 October 2026

BCV Concert Hall, Lausanne
Open to the public
Free entry, subject to available seating

First round

from 19 to 21 September 2026

HEMU – Haute École de Musique, Lausanne, Utopia 1
Behind closed doors

Preliminary round

from 1 May to 1 June 2026

Selection based on video submissions

Registration opens: 1 March 2026
Registration deadline: 1 May 2026

 

Programme

Round 1 - Closed-door audition

Maximum 48 candidates

15 minutes per candidate, all inclusive

Three or four pieces of your choice according to the following criteria:

  • One or two opera or oratorio arias
  • One or two Lied(er) / melodies
  • Performance in two languages, including at least one aria in French
  • Arias from two different periods

Semi-final

12 semi-finalists

25 minutes per semi-finalist, all inclusive

Programme freely chosen by the candidate, including at minimum the following criteria:

  • Voice and piano programme (no staging)
  • Performance in two languages, including at least one aria in French
  • Candidates presenting a contemporary programme of at least 10 minutes (works written after 1950) will automatically be eligible for the Contemporary Music Prize.

Final with the HEMU Orchestra conducted by Jean-Marie Zeitouni

6 finalists

20 minutes per finalist

Two opera arias from different periods chosen according to the following criteria:

  • Arias must be chosen from a predefined list. If it is established that no aria from this list, or an insufficient number of arias, matches the nature of the candidate's voice, the candidate may, exceptionally, propose one or more repertoire alternatives. This proposal must meet the requirements of the time allotted for each candidate and the orchestral forces made available for the final round. The artistic direction of the competition rules on these proposals and its decision may not be appealed.
  • The candidate proposes five arias, of which two are chosen by the jury to be performed.