The Hvorostovsky Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre became one of the partners of a young vocalists competition - the 9th International Opera Singing Competition Golden Willow - 2019 (Salice d’Oro). The competition will be held at the Teatro Coccia in the Italian city of Novara between August 30 and September 1.

The competition jury will include People’s Artist of Russia, artistic director of opera festivals and tour opera projects of the Hvorostovsky Krasnoyarsk Opera House, soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre Irina Dolzhenko. Besides, our theatre established a prestigious award for the winners of the competition - a gala night on the Krasnoyarsk stage for four finalists.

The Golden Willow competition is one of the most representative international forums in the field of opera. The competition jury includes the heads of leading agencies and the most popular opera houses of Italy. The jury members have the right to invite participants to work regardless of their competitive results. The winners will receive prizes (1000, 600 and 300 Euros), but money is not the only important thing for young singers. That’s why one of the most impressive awards for beginners will be an award from the Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre; the primary task of the competition is to help young opera artists demonstrate their vocal level, increase their rating, and find the stage to work on it.

All participants must submit four opera arias in an original language to the competition committee. The qualifying rounds will be held on August 30 and 31; on September 1 will be the finals in the format of a gala concert for the audience. After that, the jury will hold a discussion and announce the winners. And Krasnoyarsk opera amateurs will learn the names of the four best singers who will demonstrate their talent on the stage of the Hvorostovsky Opera House.

It’s worth mentioning that the well-known to the Krasnoyarsk opera fans Russian-born Italian conductor Aleksei Nikonov also entered the jury of the Golden Willow contest. He conducted the Tchaikovsky's Queen of Spades opera within one of the most important cultural events of the region in 2019 - the festival Stars Parade at the Opera. Alexei Nikonov is the President of the Italian Mozart Association.