International Vocal Competition 's-Hertogenbosch

The International Vocal Competition 's-Hertogenbosch (IVC); is a music competition for classical singing founded in 1954. It is the only classical vocal competition in the Netherlands that also focuses on opera, oratorio and Lied.

Logo

This yearly event is organised by the International Vocal Competition 's-Hertogenbosch (IVC). The IVC is a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions since 1959. The IVC offers singers the chance to perform for casting directors, concert managements, impresarios, the media and a concert and theatregoing audience.

Alongside its competition, the IVC also presents master classes, workshops, summer schools and concerts. Concerts are organised in collaboration with various organisations. The IVC also provides advice on repertoire, career possibilities, media management and auditioning.

The IVC has helped launch the careers of many internationally renowned singers (see List of notable IVC alumni). Annett Andriesen, herself an opera singer and a prizewinner of the IVC in 1975, was head of the IVC from 2008 until 2018. She has since been replaced by Ivan van Kalmthout. From 1 September 2023, British countertenor Andrew Watts has been appointed General and artistic director of the IVC.

The IVC is open to singers of all nationalities who have had conservatory training or have reached an equivalent level. The competition has two categories: Opera/oratorio and Lied Duo.

List of notable IVC alumni

edit
Year Edition 1st Prize 2nd Prize
1954 1 Annette de la Bije, Aukje Karsemeyer, Hans Wilbrink, Frans Meulemans Henriëtte Willems, Tim Jacobs
1955 2 Eva Bornemann, Jean Capiaux Arjan Blanken, Willem van der Sluys, Haasteren van Albert
1956 3 Elly Ameling, Adna Graham, Halina Lukomska, Ladeslav Mraz George David Galliver, Günther Wilhelms
1957 4 Maria van Dongen Valerie Cardnell, Ranken Bushby, Derek Stroud
1958 5 Elisabeth Simon, Ranken Bushby Halina Slonicka, Maria Antonietta Sighele, Aurelio Estanisko, Bernard Kruysen
1959 6 Arthur Loosli, Zofia Janukowicz, Mariëtte Dierckx Maya Breier, Lia Rottier, Juliana Falk, Djurdjevka Cakarevic, Harold Gray
1960 7 Karoly Schmidt, Lisé Arséquet, Irene Mierzwiak, John Wakefield Sigurdur Björnsson, Bert Olsson
1961 8 Thomas Carey, Yvonne Minton, Alfons Bartha Olga Maddalena, Karin Oster, Margaret Duckworth, Kenneth John Bowen, Hendrik Smit, John Wiles
1962 9 Jules Bastin, Zofia Anna Wilma Julijana Anastasijevic, Frederick Gersten, Richard Novák
1963 10 Dan Iordachescu, Margaret Duckworth Rina Cornelissens, Eva Debrowska, Lucienne van Deyck, Jean Jacques Schreurs, Antoni Dutkiewicz, Peter Leeming
1964 11 Janka Békas, Borena Kinas-Mikolajczak Marie Hayward, Anne Malewicz-Madey, Geoffrey Shovelton, Patrick Costeloe
1965 12 Viorica Cortez, Ileana Cotrubaș, Siegmund Nimsgern Faith Pulston Jones, Pompeiu Harasteanu
1966 13 Marina Krilovici, Ludovic Spiess Ana Maria Miranda, Norma Lerer, Marco Bakker
1967 14 Louis Williams, Stefanka Popangelova Sally Le Sage, Heljä Angervo, Nigel Wickens, Josef Loibl
1968 15 Hans-George Dahmen, Csilla Zentai Angela Beale, Wendy Eathorne, Ria Bollen, Oriel Sutherland, Ilie Baciu
1969 16 Maria Slatinaru, Else Paaske, Walker Wyatt Leslie Johnson, Karl Markus, Hubert Waber, Maurice Brown

57th International Vocal Competition 's-Hertogenbosch 2024 - Opera | Oratorio

edit

The 57th International Vocal Competition Opera|Oratorio will be held from 27 September - 5 October at Theater aan de Parade in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.

The IVC offers young and talented singers the chance to perform for an international jury, casting directors, concert managements, impresarios, the media and public. The total prize money of the competition amounts to €45,000. The IVC is open to singers and pianists of all nationalities. Candidates for this year's competition can apply for several Preliminary Round auditions by submitting their application via www.ivc.nu. Preliminary Rounds take place in a.o. Amsterdam, 's-Hertogenbosch, London, Berlin, Salzburg, New York and by YouTube.

The International Jury of 2024 includes soprano Dame Gwyneth Jones, soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek, soprano Roberta Alexander, countertenor Michael Chance, Rosemary Joshua (sopraan – hoofd Dutch National Opera Studio), Pål Christian Moe (casting consultant), Karen Stone (direction Opera Europa) and Monique Wagemakers (stage director).

edit