The 12th edition of Concurso Internacional de Canto Lírico ‘Germans Pla-Ciutata de Balaguer’ has opened a call for participants.

The biennial competition is aimed at singers between the ages of 18 to 35. All nationalities are welcome. The first selection phase will be conducted online. Applicants must submit a recording of an opera aria and a lied made within the last twelve months. The competition will provide participants with an accompanying pianist for the final phases.

This year, the competition has expanded its prize pool. First prize is €4,000 awarded by the Balaguer Paeria. Followed by €2,000 for second place awarded by the Lleida Provincial Council and €1,000 for third place given by the Balaguer Cultural Association of the Grup d’Art 4. In addition, the first prize winner will participate in a tour of the Network of Musicians of the Catalan Youth Musicians, and both the first prize winner, second prize winner, and third prize winner will perform in the Germans Pla-Ciutat de Balaguer Music Series (2026) with a paid participation of €500 each.

In addition to the main awards, the Competition will award five special prizes. These prizes include the Best Lied Performer Award granted by the Victoria de los Ángeles Foundation, which consists of a scholarship to participate in the Foundation’s master classes, the Friends of the Lleida Opera Award, which includes a paid concert at the Enric Granados Auditorium in Lleida, the Pyrenees Early Music Festival Award and an invitation to participate in the 2027 edition of the Festival, the Opera Foundation in Catalonia Award, with a contract to participate in one of its productions, and the Audience Award, which includes a paid concert at the Germans Pla-Ciutat de Balaguer Music Series.

Soprano Marta Matheu and mezzo-soprano Mireia Pintó are among this year’s jury.

The competition will take place on Oct. 18 and 19, in Balaguer, Catalonia. Registration open until Sept. 25.

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