sideNotes

Your breath is like the petrol in your car!

Whether a strange competition algorithm or simply coincidence, 2024 has seen a lot more vocal competitions than usual: Geneva, Nörrköping, Daegu, ARD, Mirjam Helin, Éva Marton, Robert Schumann, DEBUT and the International Vocal Competition (IVC) of ‘s-Hertogenbosch in The Netherlands all featured a formidable array of great young voices. This was reason enough for the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC) to hold a second conference this year and shift the focus away from all the instrumental contests and onto the opera stage. 

“The Sustainability and Survival of Opera” was the title of the main session, featuring illustrious figures such as the new IVC Director and countertenor Andrew Watts; Karen Stone of Opera Europa; David Stern, Conductor and Director of Palm Springs Opera; and finally renowned Director David Pountney, who flew in from his current production at Teatr Wielki in Warsaw.

Pountney delivered a provocative keynote speech titled “The Future of Competitions: In a world where equality is pushed to the forefront, are competitions a good thing?”. He argued that the “notions of quality” are increasingly under attack from the growing influence of social media, digital communications, and the diminishing attention spans of today’s audiences. Additionally, he highlighted the ongoing defunding of culture institutions in various regions, including the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and Switzerland—where the city of Basel is voting on a “music variety” initiative that aims to redirect funding away from traditional cultural institutions.

Recalling the fascinating story of her life and career as a singer, Dame Gwyneth Jones, alongside Andrew Watts, presented an hour-long talk full of nostalgic memories and astounding revelations. “Your breath is like the petrol in your car!” was just one of the many memorable phrases shared in the stories of the great diva. And, remembering the strenuous part of Electra, one of her signature roles, she casually added: “Sometimes you just have to make
ugly sounds. You can’t be planning to kill your mother
and sing beautifully!”

To finish the day´s busy agenda, eight singers performed together with PhilZuid and conductor David Parry in front of a full house at the IVC´s Grand Finale. Celebrating 70 years since its founding, the 2024 IVC counted over 600 applications of which 67 singers from 27 countries were selected to perform in ’s-Hertogenbosch. Mezzo-soprano Claudia Ribas (born in Portugal and currently a member of the Frankfurt Opera Studio) won the Grand Prize as well as the Audience Prize, Wagner Prize and Junior Jury Prize. She is a worthy winner of this great international competition.

Florian Riem