The József Simándy Singing Competition is Hungary's most prestigious vocal competition, celebrating its 25th ANNIVERSARY this year. This competition, now recognized in Hungary's National Cultural Heritage, bears the name of the renowned Hungarian tenor opera singer, József Simándy (1916-1997). Since its inception, the Simándy competition has provided and continues to provide discovery opportunities for numerous vocal talents, aiding contestants' career beginnings with substantial cash prizes, performance opportunities, and international media exposure. This year's jury includes leaders from the Hungarian State Opera, the Budapest Operetta Theatre, MÜPA Budapest, the Szeged Symphony Orchestra, as well as other esteemed authorities in the field. For more information about the competition and its past winners, please visit the competition's website at www.simandysingingcompetition.hu.
Please follow the website of the competition since further information is continuously being uploaded such as special prizes or guests invited.

I. ONLINE PRELIMINARY
Based on video recordings of 2 performances submitted until May 12, 2024

II. LIVE ROUND
June 3-8, 2024 Venue: OPERA Eiffel Workshop House (1101 Budapest, Kőbányai út 30.)

JUNE 3, MONDAY

Locomotive Hall: Registration / OPENING / Hevesi Stage: SEMIFINAL I. II. III. CATEGORY

JUNE 4, TUESDAY
Locomotive Hall: Registration / Hevesi Stage: SEMIFINAL II.CATEGORY / SEMIFINAL IV. CATEGORY

JUNE 5, WEDNESDAY
Locomotive Hall: Registration / Hevesi Stage: SEMIFINAL III.CATEGORY / SEMIFINAL V. CATEGORY

JUNE 6, THURSDAY
Hevesi Stage: SEMIFINAL IV CATEGORY / FINAL I. CATEGORY / SEMIFINAL V. CATEGORY

JUNE 7, FRIDAY
Hevesi Stage: FINAL II. CATEGORY / FINAL III. CATEGORY
Fricsay Studio: Orchestra Rehearsal with the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra THE WINNERS OF THE I. II. III. CATEGORIES AND FINAL OF IV. V. CATEGORIES

JUNE 8, SATURDAY
Bánffy Hall: IV. AND V. CATEGORIES FINAL & GALA / AWARD CEREMONY FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS / RECEPTION - For Invited Guests

Semifinal (1 piece):
- 1 song; or 1 cantata, mass or oratorio aria; or 1 opera aria
Final (2 pieces):
- 1 song and 1 cantata, mass or oratorio aria; or 1 song and 1 opera aria; or 2 opera arias

Semifinal (1 piece):
- 1 serious song; or 1 cantata, mass or oratorio aria; or 1 opera aria
Middle Round (2 pieces):
- 1 song and 1 cantata, mass or oratorio aria; or 1 song and 1 opera aria; or 1 cantata, mass, or oratorio aria and 1 opera aria; or 2 opera arias
Final (2 pieces):
- 2 opera arias

Semifinal (1 piece):
- 1 serious song; or 1 cantata, mass or oratorio aria; or 1 opera aria
Middle Round (2 pieces):
- 1 song and 1 cantata, mass or oratorio aria or 1 song and 1 opera aria; or 1 cantata, mass, or oratorio aria and 1 opera aria; or 2 opera arias
Final (2 pieces):
- 2 opera arias

Semifinal (1 piece):
- 1 serious song; or 1 cantata, mass or oratorio aria; or 1 opera aria
Middle Round (2 pieces):
- 1 song and 1 cantata, mass or oratorio aria; or 1 song and 1 opera aria; or 1 cantata, mass, or oratorio aria and 1 opera aria; or 2 opera arias
Final (2 pieces):
- 2 opera arias

Preliminary Round (1 piece):
- 1 opera aria
Semifinal Round (2 pieces):
- 2 opera arias
Final Round (2 pieces):
- 2 opera arias

• The two pieces submitted for the online preliminary round can also be performed in the live rounds of the competition
• No repetition of pieces is allowed in the live rounds (Preliminary, Semifinal, Final).
• The repertoire should ideally encompass various styles
• Performances must be done without sheet music, in the original key and language. Songs can be performed in their original key or in a transposed version as published
• The jury will listen to the complete repertoire of all contestants in all five age categories throughout the competition but reserves the right to request fewer pieces
• Only applications with fully completed Registration Forms and uploaded attachments, along with the payment of the Application Fee, will be considered valid
• Application and Participation fees are non-refundable in case of withdrawal

PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT

• Contestants who advance from the online preliminary round to the live rounds will be provided with piano accompanists free of charge. Contestants must indicate their piano accompanist preference in the appropriate section of the online Registration Form.
• Contestants who prefer piano accompanist must provide all scores for their competition pieces to the competition by May 20, 2024. Only high-quality, legible piano reductions will be accepted.
• Contestants who wish to bring their own accompanist should provide the name of their
  accompanist in the appropriate section of the Registration Form.

Chair of the Jury:

•  Dr. SZILVESZTER ÓKOVÁCS - General Director of the Hungarian State Opera House

Jury Members:

• Prof. Dr. MÁRIA TEMESI - Liszt Prize-winning opera singer, teacher,
  Knight of Hungarian Culture, founder and director of the Simándy Competition
  
  
• Prof. Mr. TAMARA MARKOVIC - opera singer, teacher,
  artistic advisor of the Belgrade Kolarac Concert Hall
  
  
• Prof. ATILLA KISS-B. - MMA, Kossuth and Liszt Prize-winning opera singer, Prof. at the University of Theatre and Film Arts and Liszt Academy, Master Artist and Honorary Member of the Opera House, General Director of the Budapest Operetta Theatre
  
  
• TAMÁS BÁTOR - opera singer, artistic chief advisor of MÜPA Budapest and
  artistic advisor of the Hungarian State Opera House
  
  
• SÁNDOR GYÜDI - Liszt Prize-winning conductor,
  director of the Szeged Symphony Orchestra

PAYMENT DEADLINE: MAY 12, 2024
Payment must be made simultaneously with the online submission of the REGISTRATION FORM.

Results of the online Preliminary Round and qualification for the II. live round will be communicated to all applicants via email by May 19, 2024.

PAYMENT DEADLINE: MAY 24, 2024 (Friday)

Please transfer the Application and the Participation Fee to the following bank account:

HAZÁM, HAZÁM TE MINDENEM Művészeti és Oktatási Alapítvány / UniCredit Bank
BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER: 10918001-00000074-38850010
IBAN BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER: HU 95 10918001-00000074-38850010
SWIFT CODE: BACXHUHB

THE FOLLOWING MUST BE FILLED OUT AND UPLOADED ON THE REGISTRATION FORM

• Personal information
• 1 Portrait photo (jpg, min. 1 MB, 300 dpi, good quality)
• Professional Resume (education, competitions, masterclasses, performances)
• Title of Competition Pieces (Preliminary, Semifinal, Final)
• Upload all scores of the competition pieces
• Video recording
  A maximum 10-minute video reflecting the current vocal state and level of preparation of the applicant (Youtube, Drive, etc.). The video should include 2 pieces of different styles with piano, organ, or orchestral accompaniment (2 opera arias; or 1 song and 1 opera aria; or 1 song and 1 oratorio aria; or 1 opera aria and 1 oratorio aria). The vocalist, accompanist, or orchestra must be visible in the recording. Performances must be recorded in one take, without editing. Audio recordings without video will not be accepted. The name of the contestant and the pieces performed should be included in the video.
• Bank receipt confirming payment of the Application Fee (jpg, pdf)