Singing 2008

Under the patronage of H.M. Queen Fabiola

Twenty years ago the Queen Elisabeth Competition opened up to the world of the voice : a very varied artistic domain, by turns intimate and extrovert, profane and sacred, subtle and passionate, but always captivating. Singing takes us back to the infant’s first cries, to the birth of life, to music that is infinitely complex and filled with emotion.

In this sixth edition devoted to vocal art, participants will perform in the repertoire that suits them best. Whether a candidate is most at home in opera, religious music, or romantic song, he or she will be able to choose a repertoire that will be both appealing and substantial. The only ‘constraint’ will be the compulsory work in the semi-final, the subject of a commission, this year entrusted to Wim Henderickx. To accompany them, the candidates will be able to rely on excellent pianists, as well as on a first-class ensemble, the La Monnaie/De Munt Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Kazushi Ono.

The international jury – some of whose members will already be in Brussels in February for the preselection process based on DVDs – will bring together leading figures from the world of song and directors of major European venues. In line with a now well-established tradition, master classes will be given at the MIM by three eminent members of the jury ; these will be open both to candidates who have not reached the final and to young professional singers, in the presence of an audience of music-lovers.

True to the principles on which the Competition’s reputation has been built, standards remain extremely high ; this should guarantee us both fascinating competition rounds and splendid concerts, to be given by the laureates throughout Belgium with the orchestras of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie and the Vlaamse Opera, the National Orchestra of Belgium, and La Petite Bande. The laureates will all benefit from concert or recital engagements, both in Belgium and abroad.

As a treat for our audience, whether of long date or those recently won over by the atmosphere of this magnificent occasion, Belgium’s two public radio and television services will ensure - including via the Internet, with the assistance of Belgacom - wide access to these moments
of beauty and emotion that we look forward to sharing with you.