A year after declaring no first-prize winner for its competition, the VIII Concurso Internacional de Canto Josep Palet revealed that baritone Steffan Lloyd Owen took home first prize during the March 30, 2025 final.

Owen takes home a 5,000€ cash prize and the opportunity to perform with Red de Músicas de Juventudes Musicales de Cataluña y Red de Músicas de Juventudes Musicales de España, and the Ciclo M’Clàssics de Martorell. He will also be featured in the world premiere of a new work by Fabià Santcovsky, composed for the Concurso. He also took home the special Amics de l’Òpera de Sabadell, which includes performances with the Asociació d’Amics de l’Òpera de Sabadell.

The final also featured a second place finish and 2,000€ for mezzo-soprano Annabel Kennedy. She will perform with the Ciclo M’Clàssics Martorell. She was also the winner of the Premio Victoria de los Ángeles, which includes a masterclass and activities with the Fundación Victorial de Los Ángeles and LIFE Victoria.

Finally, third prize went to tenor Jihoon Park, who took home 1,000€ and a concert with Ciclo M’Clàssics Martorell.

Countertenor Rafael Quirant won the Premio Amics de la Música de Valls and the Premio Cenas Líricas del Restaurante 7 Protes; soprano Alexanandra Nowakowski was the winner of the Premio Casa Elizalde de Barcelon, while soprano Hyerim Kim took home the Premio Joan Cererols for best interpretation of ancient music. Finally, bass-baritone Irakli Pkhaladze won the prize for best interpretation of Italian bel canto.

There was no winner for best interpreter of Catalan music.

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