23rd Lazar Jovanović International Solo Singing Competition (2027)
The 23rd Lazar Jovanović International Solo Singing Competition will be held at the National Theatre in Belgrade, Francuska 3.
The competition is open to all interested singers aged 14-36, regardless of formal education.
All programmes are performed from memory and in the original language of the composition. Translations are not allowed, except in the musical category.
Competitors will be evaluated by an eminent international jury composed of distinguished opera artists, professors, and artistic directors.
What’s new in the Rules from 2027
Works are performed in the original language; translation is allowed only in the musical category.
Where competitors have the same score, the younger competitor takes precedence — both in placement and in prizes.
A first-prize winner with first place (I-1) may not compete again in the same category.
The jury has the right not to award a prize.
One work may be replaced by written notice before the category begins.
In two-round categories, the distribution of works between rounds may be changed by written notice before the first round.
Special prizes may also be awarded by a Competition partner; the winner is selected by a designated jury member or by the jury on its own proposal.
I. OPERA - Solo Categories
LADIES
Pre-category A: competitors born in 2008 and younger, students of elementary music school.
Pre-category B: competitors born in 2008 and younger, students of I and II year of secondary music school.
Category I/A: competitors born in 2006 and younger, students of elementary music school.
Category I/B: competitors born in 2006 and younger, students of secondary music school.
Category II/A: competitors born in 2004 and younger, students of elementary or secondary music school.
Category II/B: competitors born in 2004 and younger, university students.
Category III: competitors born in 2000 and younger, young professionals.
Category IV/A and IV/B: competitors born in 1991 and younger, young professionals.
GENTLEMEN
Pre-category A: competitors born in 2006 and younger, students of elementary music school.
Pre-category B: competitors born in 2006 and younger, students of I and II year of secondary music school.
Category I/A: competitors born in 2004 and younger, students of elementary music school.
Category I/B: competitors born in 2004 and younger, students of secondary music school.
Category II/A: competitors born in 2002 and younger, students of elementary or secondary music school.
Category II/B: competitors born in 2002 and younger, university students.
Category III: competitors born in 1998 and younger, young professionals.
Category IV/A and IV/B: competitors born in 1991 and younger, young professionals.
II. MUSICAL - Solo Categories
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
Category V: competitors born in 1991 and younger; university students and young professionals specializing in the musical genre.
III. ENSEMBLES
Category VI/A: Chamber ensembles with piano accompaniment by a student; members born in 1991 and younger.
Category VI/B: Mixed opera duets or ensembles with professional accompanist; members born in 1991 and younger.
Category VI/V: Musical duets or ensembles with professional accompanist; members born in 1991 and younger.
Note: In the pre-categories and Category I, the letter A refers to pupils of elementary music schools and the letter B to pupils of secondary music schools (in pre-category B, 1st and 2nd year pupils). In Category II, A refers to elementary or secondary music school pupils and B to university students. Age is determined by year of birth relative to the year of the competition (2027).
I. OPERA - Program
Pre-category A (Elementary school):Stari majstor*; One solo song of free choice.
Pre-category B (Secondary school):Stari majstor*; Two solo songs of free choice.
Category I:Stari majstor*; Two solo songs of free choice.
Category II/A (Secondary school) and II/B (University):Stari majstor*; Two solo songs; Aria from opera or operetta.
Category III (two stages): Stage I: Stari majstor*; Aria from oratorio/mass/cantata. Stage II: 3 solo songs (19th, 20th century, Slavic composer); Aria from opera/operetta.
Category IV/A (two stages): Stage I: Stari majstor*; Aria from oratorio; Mozart aria; Aria from opera. Stage II: 20th century solo song; Song cycle; Solo song by a Serbian composer; Aria from opera.
Category IV/B (two stages): Stage I: Two opera arias. Stage II: Two opera arias.
II. MUSICAL - Program
Category V: Two songs from a musical of different character.
III. ENSEMBLES - Program
Category VI/A: Two compositions of different character (with student accompaniment).
Category VI/B: One opera duet or ensemble (with accompanist).
Category VI/V: One song (duet or ensemble) from a musical (with accompanist).
* Stari majstor (“old master”) — an early art song or an aria composed before Gluck’s reform of opera (1762).
Rules of Procedure — key provisions
Eligibility
The Competition is open to singers aged 14 to 36 of all nationalities, with or without formal opera education.
A competitor who wins first prize with first place in a category (I-1) may not compete in the same category in subsequent years.
Programme and performance
The programme in all categories is performed from memory and in the original language. Translation is not allowed, except in the musical category.
One registered work may be replaced if the change is notified to the Organizer in writing (by e-mail) before the category begins.
In two-round categories (III and IV) the competitor may change the distribution of works between rounds by written notice before the first round.
Competitors perform in alphabetical order of surname, starting from a letter drawn by lot.
Performances are not time-limited, but the jury may stop a performance and assess the part performed.
For premieres or uncatalogued works, the sheet music is submitted with the application.
Accompanist
Competitors may bring their own accompanist. The official accompanist’s services are charged; the fee covers one rehearsal and the performance.
Sheet music for the official accompanist is sent in PDF immediately after applying.
Scoring
The jury awards 0 to 100 points. Placement is based on the average score of all jury members, rounded to two decimals; in borderline cases (e.g. 89.99) the lower prize is awarded.
Categories III and IV are held in two rounds. Competitors scoring over 70 in the first round advance; the final placement is the average of both rounds.
Where competitors have the same score, the younger competitor takes precedence — both in the placement and in the awarding of prizes.
Prizes
A first prize requires at least 90, a second prize at least 80 and a third prize at least 70 points. Every prize winner receives a diploma.
The Main Prize “Lazar Jovanović” is awarded by the jury to the laureate of the Competition.
The jury has the right not to award a prize, including the main and special prizes.
Special prizes are awarded by Kulturni element and by Competition partners. The winner of a partner’s special prize is selected by a designated jury member or by the jury on its own proposal.
The decision of the jury is final and not subject to appeal.
Jury
A jury member does not assess a relative, their own pupil or student, or a competitor they have worked with in the last 12 months; in such cases the jury secretary assesses instead.
Applications and fees
Applications are submitted online only, by the published deadline, with proof of payment and a photograph. The programme is entered in the original language.
Fees are non-refundable. Travel, accommodation and subsistence costs are borne by the competitors.
Recordings
The Organizer reserves the right to record and publish audio, photo and video material from the Competition; participants are not entitled to compensation on that basis.
These are the key provisions of the Competition’s Rules of Procedure, applicable from the 23rd competition (2027). The official Serbian text of the Rules adopted by Kulturni element prevails.
