The Italian Embassy in Kyiv, together with other Ukrainian sponsors, is financially supporting the organisation of a music competition in Odessa, aimed at promoting young musical talents and helping them in their future artistic careers. This initiative seeks to support music in war-torn Ukraine and to create job opportunities for the next generations.
The public competition "Recitar Cantando" (to act by singing) will be held at the National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Odessa. From 23 September 2025, when the international jury arrives, until 27 September, when the final Gala Concert will take place — each singer performing two arias accompanied by the Theatre's orchestra — followed by the awarding of the winners.
The main aim of the competition, according to Enrico Copedè, director of Opera Production C.D., is “not only to discover and support young artists but also to promote the art of Italian opera”. Actually, the presence of leading superintendents and artistic directors from Italian opera houses helps to promote the Italian operatic school, spread its high aesthetic and professional standards, and foster cultural dialogue between the Italian and Ukrainian vocal traditions. Contestants must perform exclusively Italian and Ukrainian arias.
The sponsors and Media Partners
The launch of "Recitar Cantando" has been made possible thanks to the Odessa Opera Theatre and the commitment of its director, Nadiya Babich, the Italian institutions in Ukraine (Italian Embassy and Cultural Institute in Kyiv, and the Italian Honorary Consulate in Odessa), and the Austrian theatre production and co-production company Opera Production CD. The competition is also supported by the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications, the Odesa Regional State Administration and Odesa City Council, the National Academy of Music "Nezhdanova", and the Ukrainian commercial Bank Vostok.
Media partners include: *The Odessa Journal*, *Suspilne* broadcasting group, *Huxley* magazine, *Kulturometer* portal, *First City* TV channel, and *Muzika* magazine.
The International Jury
The jury members who have agreed to travel to Odesa despite the war are:
- President: Nicola COLABIANCHI – Superintendent of Teatro La Fenice, Venice
- Lyudmyla MONASTYRSKA – Soprano soloist of the National Opera of Ukraine, winner of Ukraine’s Taras Shevchenko National Prize, People's Artist of Ukraine
- Massimo MORELLI – Director of the Boccherini Conservatory, Lucca
- Hirofumi YOSHIDA – Director of the Rising Sun Opera Foundation in Tokyo, Music Director of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Modena, Principal Guest Conductor of the Odesa Theatre
- Enrico COPEDÈ – Director of the production company Opera Production C.D. in Klagenfurt
- Laura BERMAN – Artistic Director of the Staatstheater Hannover, representative of Opera Europa
- Vasyl KOVAL – Principal Director of the Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, Merited Artist of Ukraine
- Olena STAKHOVSKA – Professor and Head of the Solo Singing Department at the A.V. Nezhdanova Odesa National Music Academy, People's Artist of Ukraine
- Federico PUPO – Artistic Director of Teatro Carlo Felice, Genoa
- Fulvio MACCIARDI – President of ANFOLS (the Association of the 14 Leading Italian Opera and Symphony Foundations), member of the European Cultural Parliament.
The Prizes
The Competition prizes are set in the national currency of Ukraine (Grivna, UAH):
- Grand Prix – 80 000 UAH (UAH), the title of laureate (Diploma) and a special prize: the Theatre has the right to invite the winners to perform in opera and concert programmes during 2025-2026.
- 1st prize – 70,000 UAH (UAH) and the title of laureate (Diploma), awarded to one voice – either male or female.
- 2nd prize – 45 000 UAH and the title of laureate (Diploma), assigned to both a male and female voice.
- 3rd prize – 20 000 UAH and the title of laureate (Diploma), assigned to both a male and female voice.
Applicants must submit their entries by **15 August** by registering on the Odesa Opera Theatre website:
👉 FIRST INTERNATIONAL OPERA SINGERS COMPETITION "RECITAR CANTANDO"
A first round of selections will take place remotely on **7 September 2025**, based on video submissions.
For further information:
Phone: +38 048 7801523, +38 048 7801525, +38 067 4891483
Email: contest.odesa@gmail.com
Website: https://operahouse.od.ua/en/
