Competition Presentation
Sergei Leiferkus
Artistic director and President of the Jury 2024
Adriano Jordão
Artistic director
Cascais Opera – International Vocal Competition
Cascais Opera – International Vocal Competition had its inaugural edition in April 2024, at the Centro Cultural de Cascais and the São Carlos National Theatre, in Lisbon. Conceived as a showcase for the most promising new talents in operatic singing, the Cascais Opera – International Vocal Competition received over two hundred applications from 39 countries and of all vocal types, aged between 18 and 32.
From these, 8 brilliant finalists emerged, all worthy of receiving the “Grand-Prix – Égide,” which was finally awarded to an exceptional contestant, a Korean baritone Hae Kang.
We would like to highlight the brilliant Portuguese participation, with special mention to Silvia Sequeira, 1st Prize “Teresa Berganza” for female voice, Teresa Sales Rebordão and Constança Melo, both contracted by various operas and leading music festivals.
The Artistic Director and renowned baritone, Sergei Leiferkus, will also serve as the President of the International Jury in 2025. The jury includes important professionals from the world of opera, such as Pal Moe from Glyndebourne, Ivan van Kalmtout, the Artistic Director of the São Carlos National Theatre and soprano Juliane Banse.
This year, the final phase of the competition will take place in the Grand Auditorium of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, one of the most prestigious venues in Europe. The finalists will be accompanied by the orchestra of the São Carlos National Theatre – Portuguese Symphony Orchestra, thus continuing the excellent collaboration between Cascais Opera and the SCNT.
A town with a rich and prestigious history, chosen by numerous members of royal families and celebrities throughout the 20th century as a place of residence or visit, Cascais combines the ‘glamour’ of that past with major events in the present, which blend culture and tourist attractiveness.
Charged with the ambition of swiftly becoming one of the most prestigious international competitions of lyrical singing, the Cascais Opera – International Vocal Competition is already developing a positive application process to the WFIMC – World Federation of International Music Competitions, thus contributing to reinforce Cascais’ cultural weight in the global opera landscape.
Sergei Leiferkus e Adriano Jordão
Artistic directors
Carlos Carreiras
Mayor of Cascais
It is with great pleasure that I welcome the Cascais Opera project, which, through its first initiative, the “International Vocal Competition,” will bring to us the elite of the international operatic community.
It was an illustrious resident of Cascais, who has lived among us for ten years and is one of the most important global references in lyrical singing, the baritone Sergei Leiferkus, who brought the initiative that we have enthusiastically embraced with wishes for its continuity.
Joining the team involved in the project are the jury and prizes from the most important opera houses in Europe, including, of course, our National Theatre of São Carlos, where the Finals will take place. The other preliminary rounds will be held in municipal facilities.
From April 6 to 14, 2024, in the first edition of the International Vocal Competition, singers from around the world will fill Cascais with music, and it will be these singers who will carry the name of Cascais with them as they continue their careers.
I extend my best wishes for success to all.
Carlos Carreiras
Mayor of Cascais
