(Photo by: Liudmila Maitak)

Russian baritone Anton Beliaev has won first prize at the inaugural “Bernardo De Muro” International Opera Competition.

Beliaev, a member of the Semperoper Dresden ensemble, additionally received the sponsor prize from Gruppo Guccini Costruzioni.

The competition, held in Tempio Pausania, northern Sardinia this past May, was launched by the Fondazione Bernardo De Muro ETS, drawing approximately 200 applicants from Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Australia.

The international jury was chaired by Sebastian Schwarz, director of vocal ensembles at the Teatro alla Scala.

Beliaev joined the Semperoper Dresden’s Young Ensemble in 2023 and has been a permanent member of the company’s ensemble since the 2025-26 season. He will appear this season as Moralès in “Carmen,” Papageno in “The Magic Flute,” and Mercutio in “Roméo et Juliette.” In the 2026-27 season, the baritone is scheduled to sing Silvio in “Pagliacci,” Schaunard in “La Bohème,” Giacchino in “Leonora,” and Cecco del Vecchio in the new production of “Rienzi, the Last of the Tribunes.”

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