Szeged will host again the 11th International József Simándy Singing Competition between 14-20th of June, 2021. The event is organized by ’MY HOMELAND, MY HOMELAND YOU MEAN EVERYTHING TO ME’ Artistic and Educational Foundation and The University of Szeged Béla Bartók Faculty of Arts.

Chief patron of the Competition is Prof.Dr. Miklós Kásler, minister of human resources.

The Prizewinner's Gala Concert will take place in The National Theatre of Szeged on the 20th of June, 2021. at 6pm. The winners perform opera arias with the Symphony Orchestra of Szeged conducted by Sándor Gyüdi. The Gala Concert is broadcasted by M5 the Hungarian State Cultural Television and Radio Bartók the Hungarian State Classical Music Radio. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 15th of March, 2021.

Singers may apply in four groups

1st age group: for students in high schools and music high schools
2nd age group: for all Bachelor students of universities and music academies
3rd age group: for all Master students of universities and music academies
4th age group: for all Young Artists until age of 36 

Prizes

1st age group
1st prize:  300 000 HUF
2nd prize: 200 000 HUF
3rd prize:  100 000 HUF

2nd age group
1st prize:  500 000 HUF
2nd prize:  400 000 HUF
3rd prize:  300 000 HUF

3rd age group
1st prize:  800 000 HUF
2nd prize:  600 000 HUF
3rd prize:  400 000 HUF

4th age group
1st prize:  1 000 000 HUF
2nd prize:   800 000 HUF
3rd prize:    600 000 HUF

Special Prizes

• MY HOMELAND, MY HOMELAND - Special prize for the best presentation of a Hungarian piece
• Hungarian State Opera -  engagement in one of the upcoming seasons
• Müpa -  engagement in one of the upcoming seasons 
• Operetta Theatre Budapest -  engagement in one of the upcoming seasons
• National Theatre of Szeged - engagement for an opera role in one of the upcoming seasons 
• Symphony Orchestra Szeged - concert engagement in season 2021/22
• Hungarian Opera Cluj Napoca -  engagement in one of the upcoming seasons
• Hungarian Cultural Centre London - concert engagement in London for two singers and their pianist
• Collegium Hungaricum Belgrade  - concert engagement in Belgrade for two singers and their pianist  
• Hungarian Embassy Helsinki - concert engagement in Helsinki for one singer 
• Radio Bartók - concert engagement in the Concert of Prizewinner young singers in the Marble Hall in season 2022/23
• Radio Dankó - recording engagement for one singer, who has the opportunity to sing 5 Hungarian songs in the legendary radio studio
• Special Prize of Erika Miklósa  - 100 000 HUF for one talented singer from Szeged
• Association of Opera Friends in Szeged - concert engagement for two singers in season 2021/22
• Romanian National Opera in Timișoara - engagement in season 2021/22
• Soroptimist Club Szeged - for the best female singer from Szeged
• Special Prize of the Angel Voice Festival Belgrade - for the most promising tenor 

Repertoire

1st age group
Preliminary: 1 piece at contestant’s choice (1 song or 1 opera aria or 1 cantata-, mass-, or oratorio aria) 
Final: 2 pieces at contestant’s choice (1 song and 1 opera aria or 2 opera arias)

2nd age group
Preliminary: 1 piece at contestant’s choice (1 song or 1 opera aria or 1 cantata-, mass-, or oratorio aria)
Semifinal: 2 pieces at contestant’s choice (1 song and 1 opera aria or 1 song and 1 cantata-,mass- or oratorio aria or 2 opera arias)
Final: 2 opera arias at contestant’s choice

3rd age group
Preliminary: 1 piece at contestant’s choice (1 song or 1 opera aria or 1 cantata-, mass- or oratorio aria)
Semifinal: 2 pieces at contestant’s choice (1 song and 1 opera aria or 1 song and 1 cantata-mass- or oratorio aria or 2 opera arias)
Final: 2 opera arias at contestant’s choice

4th age group
Preliminary: 1 piece at contestant’s choice (1 song or 1 opera aria or 1 cantata-, mass- or oratorio aria)
Semifinal: 2 opera arias at contestant’s choice
Final: 2 opera arias at contestant’s choice

MY HOMELAND, MY HOMELAND – SPECIAL PRIZE
Given to the best performer of a song or an aria by a Hungarian composer (works of Liszt, Erkel, Hubay, Bartók, Kodály, Dohnányi or composers from the 20th century and contemporary Hungarian artists)

Contestants have opportunity to modify their repertoire by sending e-mail to Mária Bordás, project manager: bordas.maria@simandysingingcompetition.hu 

Further rules

• repertoire must be sung by heart in original key and in original language
• songs can be performed in original key or in published transpositions
• pieces cannot be repeated through rounds
• jury is intended to listen to the entire program in all rounds and in all age groups, but reserve the right to shorten the program if it is necessary

Piano accompanist

Piano accompanists are provided by the competition upon request for a fee of 15 000 HUF per round including one rehearsal session and one competition performance.