Rules of the Éva Marton Singing Competition
1. Competition structure
a) Video pre-selection
b) Preliminary
c) Semi-final
d) Final
The video pre-selection is not public. All live rounds are open to the public.
2. Competition repertoire and performance
Video pre-selection
One Baroque aria or an excerpt from a Baroque oratorio or cantata and one opera aria from a different period of music chosen by the competitor.
Preliminary
A Liszt song and two arias of different style and character. The competitor sings the Liszt song and one of his/her selected arias with piano accompaniment. The competitor only performs the second aria at the express request of the jury. The jury can interrupt the second aria.
Semi-final
Two arias representing a different style and character. The competitor sings both arias with piano accompaniment.
Final
Three arias of different style and character to be chosen from the list of arias. Two of these arias will be performed with an orchestra, one aria chosen by the competitor and the other by the jury. The list of arias is available on the website by clicking here. All pieces in all rounds are to be recited from memory, in the original key and original language, and in full version (including recitativo, cabaletta and stretta if relevant).
3. Order of competitors
The order of competitors is decided by a drawing of lots at the opening of the competition carried out in front of the assembled competitors.
The youngest participant in the competition draws a number, the holder of which will appear before the jury first. That competitor’s performance is then followed by that of the other competitors in alphabetical order until the final competitor’s name in the alphabet, after which the order starts from the beginning of the alphabet and continues until everyone has performed. This order of appearance remains valid for all the other rounds.
If a competitor arrives late for reasons outside his/her control, the competition organisers may allow the person to appear in the preliminary at an allocated time. In the other rounds, he/she performs in the order determined by the drawing of lots. If any competitor is unable to appear before the jury in other rounds at the time decided by the draw, his/her absence may be certified by the official Liszt Academy doctor or, in the case of an obstacle of a different nature, by the relevant official body. In this case, the jury may allow the competitor to perform at a different time.
4. Judging
Members of the jury record their opinions in writing on scorecards, which are submitted to the secretary of the jury at the end of each round. If a jury member is in a master-student relationship with a competitor, said member shall be excluded from judging in the case of said competitor. All jury members shall report if they are in a master-student relationship with any of the competitors. The secretary of the jury will conduct the judging having taken this information into account.
In the preliminary, members of the jury record either yes or no. Competitors with the most yes votes qualify for the semi-final. No more than twenty-five competitors enter the semi-final. However, the jury can decide to qualify fewer than twenty-five competitors.
In the semi-final and final, members of the jury award points on a scale of 7–10 to one decimal place. Competitors with the highest points enter the final. In the event of a tie, the jury discusses the scores and makes a decision on which contestant qualifies for the final. In the event of a dispute among jury members, the decision of the jury chair shall prevail. No more than twelve competitors can qualify for the final.
After the jury’s evaluation discussion, the list of names of competitors qualifying for the next round is published in alphabetical order by the competition secretary. Scores remain strictly confidential.
5. Prizes
The jury awards third, second and first prizes.
Additionally, Éva Marton awards a competitor the Éva Marton Special Prize at her own discretion.
Prizes cannot be divided, but the jury can decide not to award a prize.
Special prizes offered by competition partners are awarded by persons delegated by such partners, who may also be members of the jury. Jury members can also offer special prizes.