Les Azuriales Ozone Young Artists Programme

Our Young Singers’ Competition was started in 2003 to fulfil one of the Festival’s core objectives: namely, to assist and promote young singers at the start of their careers. This year marks a significant development of the competition into an extensive Young Artists Programme.

Sponsor

During early 2008 8-10 singers will be chosen from more than 50 applicants to take part in the Les Azuriales Ozone Young Artists Programme. These 10 will be invited to the South of France to participate in the Programme. For more information on the criteria and background see Competitors' Information and Young Singers Programme page.

Along with rehearsals for the concert, Sally Burgess internationally renowned mezzo-soprano will give two days of private masterclasses for the singers on the Programme. This will culminate in a public masterclass on Friday 15th August in the Villa Kérylos.

More about Sally Burgess: Career profile and recent interview.

The singers will then perform in the Competition Concert (17th August) in the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, during which the contestants will be evaluated by a jury of distinguished judges. At the end of the evening, the judges’ decisions will be announced and the following prizes awarded:

• Les Azuriales Opera Prize - €2,000 and a trophy
  − Awarded to the most promising singer.
  − Sponsored by Ozone.

• Karaviotis Prize - €1,500
  − Awarded to the best runner-up
  − Sponsored by Joseph and Jill Karaviotis.

• Junior Prize - €500
  − Awarded to the most promising young singer who is still in full time education and is under 26 years old.

The prize winners will be eligible to apply for the Linda Fenwick Mentoring Scheme during the 12 months following the beginning of the 2008 programme.

In addition there may be a winners' concert in London in early 2009.