There are three categories:
1. Opera
2. Oratorio and Song
3. All-round
Candidates may apply to enter one of the three categories.
General repertoire requirements
The singer’s chosen repertoire must include music from three different periods and styles; three works must be composed after 1915. Singers must perform in a minimum of two languages. The works must be performed in their original language and key; song repertoire may be transposed.
Opera
Nine operatic arias and five songs.
Oratorio and Song
Seven oratorio or concert arias and seven songs. Candidates may choose whether they prefer to concentrate on oratorio or song in their choices for the first round and the semi-final.
All-round
Five operatic arias, five oratorio or concert arias and five songs. The candidate must sing one operatic aria, one oratorio aria and one song in each round.
Candidates may choose their own programme for the Preliminary Selections. The programme may last no longer than 10 minutes. The jury has the right to interrupt the singer if the programme is longer than 10 minutes. Timings for each individual work to be performed must be entered on the candidate’s repertoire list.
The candidate’s programme for the Quarter Finals will be selected initially from his or her programme for the Preliminary Selections as well as one additional aria or song. The programme may last no longer than 15 minutes. A partially or completely new programme may, however, also be chosen by the candidate for the Quarter Finals.
Candidates may choose their own programme for the Semi-final, although they must choose works that they have not yet performed during the competition.
The programme for both Finals will be selected by the Jury from the repertoire list submitted by the candidate. The Jury may choose any work on the list, including works that have been already been performed in previous rounds.
IVC 2010 Song Composition
Dutch composer Wilbert Bulsink has written the song Das Narrenschiff specially for the 48th IVC 2010.
The IVC warmly invites all candidates to perform this song in the competition.
Composer: Wilbert Bulsink (*1983)
Title: Das Narrenschiff
Duration: 4 minutes
Accompaniment: Piano
Text: Sebastian Brant (1457, Strassburg – 1521, Strassburg) in Old German
The choice to sing this song is optional and not compulsory. Candidates who include the song in their repertoire are also entered for the Dutch Composition Prize worth € 2,500. The work counts in the repertoire list as 1 of the 3 compulsory works composed after 1915. Candidates are also eligible for the November Music engagement prize.
Candidates who are interested may request the sheet music via the IVC: info@internationalvocalcompetition.com.
The first public performance of the song may be given by the candidates in the quarterfinals or semi-finals of the competition. The song will be performed by selected candidate prize winners in the final of the IVC 2010.
