Lieder Prizes
DEBUT 2018 gave even greater prominence to lieder as a separate art form, because lieder are considered to be an integral element of sustainable training in classical singing.
DEBUT is an international Classical Singing Competition which supports young opera singers embarking on their careers. The contest is open to the following voice types: soprano, mezzo-soprano & alto, tenor, countertenor and baritone & bass. It gives young soloists an opportunity to appear in a competition with a strong international profile in the presence of a distinguished judging panel. The event is held every second year in Weikersheim and Bad Mergentheim, where after a three-month application phase and the pre-selections, the final will also be held as part of the gala concert.
DEBUT 2018 gave even greater prominence to lieder as a separate art form, because lieder are considered to be an integral element of sustainable training in classical singing.
Pia-Marie Nilsson mentored DEBUT 2018 participants at a two-day workshop.
The famous singer Pia-Marie Nilsson acted as mentor to all DEBUT participants and shared her extraordinary experience with them in the framework of a workshop. Tips on voice training and stage presence was at the center of this collaboration.
The competition is sponsored by companies and institutions in the local region.
Since its inception the DEBUT Classical Singing Competition is managed without any form of public funding. This is first and foremost the achievement of its initiator and founder, Dr. Manfred Wittenstein, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of WITTENSTEIN SE. His longstanding commitment – to providing opportunities to young soloists starting out on a musical career, networking them together and introducing them to a broad public – is meanwhile emulated by numerous other sponsors in the lovely Tauber Valley.
Schloss Weikersheim and Deutschordensschloss Bad Mergentheim are the perfect setting.
Both the qualifying rounds and the semifinal take place against the historic backdrop of Weikersheim Castle while the location for the lieder recital will be the "Roter Saal" of Deutschordensschloss Bad Mergentheim. The week will end with the traditional gala concert and final in Weikersheim.
The young singers will be accompanied by the Würzburg Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Würzburg Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Enrico Calesso, will abandon the orchestra pit to demonstrate its excellent qualities as a concert orchestra.
Applications for the next DEBUT Classical Singing Competition could be submitted from April 1 to June 30, 2020.
| 1st prize: | Golden Victoria and € 10,000 | |
| 2en prize: | Silver Victoria and € 5,000 | |
| 3rd prize: | Bronze Victoria and € 2,500 | |
| Lieder prize: | € 3,500 | |
| Contemp. lieder | € 3,500 | |
The first prize, the Golden Victoria and €10,000 in cash, was won by Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, a mezzo-soprano from Russia. She was convincing in every respect: voice quality, interpretation and personality. Second prize and €5,000 went to the Chinese mezzo-sporano Yajie Zhang. The German baritone Konstantin Krimmel was delighted with the bronze Viktoria and a prize of € 2,500.
