Source: CCTV.com
05-06-2009 09:01
Among a string of international singing competitions, there is one that stands out for its focus on young contestants. That is the "Neue Stimmen" competition based in Germany. Twenty two years after it was launched, the contest has become a prestigious event favored by talented young opera singers. The China leg of the competition was held on Monday night at China's Central Conservatory of Music.
Young opera singers from around China attended the China leg of the Neue Stimmen singing competition. The twenty contestants were selected from a hundred and twenty candidates in a preliminary round. They battled it out for a chance to enter the final in October, in the German city of Gutersloh.
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| The China leg of the competition was held on Monday night at China's Central Conservatory of Music. |
Launched in 1987 by heir of the Bertelsmann Fund, Liz Mohn, the competition has held preliminary rounds in over fifty countries. This year the preliminaries are being held in 23 cities around the world -- including Beijing, Berlin, Buenos Aires and New York.
Jury member Zhou Ling said, "The translation of this competition's name is "New Sound". Promoting fresh faces, and talented young singers is the aim of the event. Another characteristic of the event is that it is well regarded among young opera singers. Over a hundred young people in China registered to enter the contest."
The judging panel is composed of opera instructors from China, under the artistic direction of Gustav Kuhn. He says the event is an engine to generate new stars among young opera singers.
The twenty contestants entering the final round of the Chinese preliminary are mainly from conservatories of music from around the country, and a few are young performers in art troupes.
Zhao Yuanzheng, from Xi'an's Music Conservatory, cherishes the opportunity to enter the contest, and he sang a excerpt from Verdi's Don Carlos.
Contestant Zhao Yuanzheng said, "I think this competition has provided young students with a wonderful stage to show our talents. I can also make a lot of friends and improve myself through communication."
The talented young performers sang pieces by Mozart, Handel, Strauss and Verdi. Two joint first prize winners will represent China at the final in Gutersloh, Germany in October.
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Editor:Zhao Yanchen
