The 47th International Handel Festival Karlsruhe has announced the world’s first singing competition exclusively for countertenors.

The competition will be called The Farinelli-Competition and was established by the festival’s Artistic Director Christoph von Bernuth in honor of the most famous singer in this field.

The competition will take place annually from now on and is aimed at countertenors of all voice types under the age of 35. In addition to the historical focus on baroque roles, it also explicitly welcomes later repertoire including contemporary music.

The competition will award prizes and will also opens up the possibility of future engagements at the Handel Festival Karlsruhe 2026 and at the Bayreuth Baroque Opera Festival.

The Farinelli Competition will take place during the International Handel Festival at the Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe and will see a jury led by Max Emanuel Cencic, Bernd Feuchtner, Christian Fimbach, Vivica Genaux, and Natascha Ursuliak.