Sonja International Music Competition

The Queen Sonja International Music Competition aims to provide career opportunities for young singers. Through exposure to influential figures within the opera world, masterclasses with award-winning professionals, career development sessions with industry representatives, concert engagements and considerable cash prizes, participation in the Queen Sonja International Music Competition offers young artists a valuable kick-start to their careers.

For the audience, the competition provides the opportunity to discover opera’s rising stars through unique concert experiences. Our public masterclasses give a rare insight into the artistic process. Through live streaming and our partnership with the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, it is possible to experience the nerves and excitement wherever you are.

Applications will open in the beginning of 2021, with a deadline of 1 April. Stay tuned to the website for more information and like us on Facebook and Instagram to receive updates. We look forward to sharing many more exceptional musical moments with you.

Application Materials:

The application must include video footage of two self-chosen operatic arias of contrasting styles. Attention should be paid to sound and picture quality. The combined recordings should be a maximum of 10 minutes long. Additionally applicants must provide a repertoire list consisting of 10 works, a copy of their passport, an updated CV and a digital photo.

Competition Rules:

Singers of all nationalities born in 1989 or later are eligible to apply for the 2021 competition. The online application form will be available from our website.

A screening jury evaluates all applications based on the submitted footage. All applicants will be notified by e-mail in May 2021.

Up to 12 candidates in total may be nominated by the competition’s participating opera academies. These candidates will be admitted directly to the preliminary rounds.

To achieve a good geographical spread among the contestants, no more than four candidates of any one nationality will be admitted to the preliminary rounds. This does not include any candidates nominated by the competition’s participating opera academies.

To be accepted as an official participant of the Queen Sonja International Music Competition, all invited participants must pay € 200 to the competition's bank account within the given deadline. In addition, all invited participants who do not have their own pianist must provide clear and easily legible sheet music for their repertoire in the semi-final. The sheet music must be sent by e-mail to the competition within the given deadline.

Participants who do not proceed to the semi-final will receive € 100 refunded after the preliminary rounds. The semi-finalists will receive € 100 refunded after the registration in Oslo.

Candidates participating in the semi-final must be present in Oslo for registration on Friday 13 August. Registration opens at 13.00 and closes at 16:00. Participants must be available to participate in all stages of the competition.

The order of performance in the semi-final will be determined by draw. The draw will take place at the registration in Oslo.

Participating semi-finalists will be provided with free hotel accommodation in Oslo for as long as they remain in the competition.

Piano accompanists will be provided by the competition for the semi-final.

Candidates are free to bring their own accompanists if they prefer.

All rounds of the competition in Oslo are open to the public.

See website for complete details and prizes.

Contact Email: post@qsimc.no

Website: https://qsimc.no/en/front-page