A competition for opera singers of every nationality aged 18 and over. After a video pre-selection, those chosen sing for an international jury at the Palais Ehrbar in Vienna in February 2027.
Applications closed
The video pre-selection has closed. The final and gala concert on 5 February 2027 are open to the public.
Singers of every nationality who are at least 18 at the time of the competition. There is no upper age limit.
| What | Amount | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Video pre-selectionper person | €30 | with the application |
| Live rounds in Viennaper person | €100 | only after passing the pre-selection |
Final prices. You only pay the live-round fee once you have passed the pre-selection. Once the 14-day withdrawal period has passed, fees are not refunded under the regulations unless the organiser cancels the competition (Withdrawal & cancellation).
| Date | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 15 October 2026 | Video pre-selection deadline | |
| 20 October 2026 | Video pre-selection results | |
| 2–4 February 2027 | Preliminary round | Ehrbar Saal |
| 5 February 2027 | Final and gala concert open to the public | Ehrbar Saal |
Prizes may be shared in the event of a tie. Partners of the competition may award special prizes. Under the regulations, selected prize-winners also receive a contract with Galoyan Art Management and support for their next steps.
The video pre-selection is assessed by KS Olivera Miljaković and Jörg Bierhance together with the organiser, Siranush Galoyan-Tkachenko. The full jury decides the preliminary round and final. Anyone with a professional or personal relationship to a candidate does not vote on that candidate. The jury may interrupt performances or ask for repeats, and its decisions are final.
President of the jury
Soprano, Kammersängerin · also video pre-selection
Born in Belgrade in 1934, the soprano joined the Vienna State Opera in 1963, where her roles included Susanna, Zerlina and Despina; from 1965 she also sang at the Salzburg Festival. She was named Kammersängerin in 1984 and now teaches at the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory.
Conductor, artistic director of the European Music Institute Vienna · also video pre-selection
The conductor has led the European Music Institute Vienna, successor to the Wiener Meisterkurse, since 2016 and is dean at the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory.
Artistic director, Oper im Steinbruch St. Margarethen
The Austrian cultural manager and singer runs Oper im Steinbruch St. Margarethen, one of Europe’s major open-air opera stages. He sat on the jury of the predecessor competitions in 2022 and 2024.
Opera singer (bass), Senior Artistic Advisor, Müpa Budapest; Artistic Advisor, Hungarian State Opera
The Hungarian bass studied at the Liszt Academy and at La Scala and is now senior artistic adviser at Müpa Budapest. He has served on the juries of several international singing competitions.
General Director of Opera Graz
He has been at Oper Graz since 2006, where he is responsible for casting.
Opera singer, vocal master
The American soprano is closely associated with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where she sang the great Verdi roles. She is regarded as one of the defining dramatic sopranos of her generation and has given masterclasses in Vienna for several years.
Artist management, Hollaender-Calix International Artist Agency
The Austrian lawyer and cultural manager works in artist management and has written widely in his field. He has known the world of Viennese opera since childhood.
Artistic director, Ente Concerti ‘Marialisa de Carolis’, Italy
The Italian baritone has sung at La Scala, the Vienna State Opera, the Rome Opera and the Teatro Regio di Torino, above all in Verdi. In Sassari he is artistic director of Ente Concerti ‘Marialisa de Carolis’.
Opera artist manager, Galoyan Art Management, Italy
The Italian artist manager represents Galoyan Art Management in Italy and writes opera criticism for I Teatri dell’Est. He sat on the jury of the predecessor competition in 2024.
Opera singer, vocal professor, mentor
The opera singer teaches voice at the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory. Her teaching combines secure technique with each voice’s artistic individuality.
Opera singer
The Armenian soprano was a member of the Stuttgart State Opera ensemble from 2003 to 2011 and has sung at La Scala, the Vienna State Opera, the Berlin and Bavarian State Operas, the Semperoper and Zurich Opera: Tosca, Butterfly, Aida and Norma.
For WhatsApp, Instagram and the notice board at your music school or conservatory. The link on the poster leads straight here.
Send all documents in one email to golden_
Participants arrange and pay for their own travel, accommodation, insurance and visa. The preliminary round and final take place at the Palais Ehrbar, Mühlgasse 30, 1040 Vienna; see Venues & travel.
By taking part you agree to audio, photo and video recording, broadcasting and publication without a fee.
Download the application form, consent form and regulations for your competition, record your video and pay the fee. Then send everything in one email to golden_
For the opera competition, no more than six months; older recordings are not accepted. For young musicians: one unedited take with the performer and instrument visible throughout. See the recording guide for tips.
No. The fee covers organisation and assessment and, under the regulations, is not refunded unless the organiser cancels the competition. For the opera competition, you only pay the live-round fee after passing the pre-selection. As a consumer, however, you can withdraw within 14 days of registering; see Withdrawal & cancellation.
If you pass the video round, you receive an official invitation to the rounds in Vienna. You arrange your passport, visa and health insurance yourself, so apply for the visa early.
No. For the opera competition the organiser provides an accompanist at no extra cost; bring your piano scores. You may bring your own accompanist at your own expense.
Not for the competitions: participants cover travel, accommodation, insurance and visa. For the Festival & Summer Academy, accommodation and meals are included in the fee.
Yes. By taking part you agree to audio, photo and video recordings and their publication without a fee. The details are in the regulations and the consent form; you can withdraw consent for the future.
No. Jury members with a professional or personal relationship to a candidate do not vote on that candidate. The jury’s decisions are final.
