Premio Internazionale di Canto Lirico Borsa di Studio "Valerio Gentile" XXIX ed.

On December 8 and 9, the Teatro Sociale in Fasano will welcome young talents from every corner of the world before a prestigious jury chaired by Maria Agresta. Applications are open until November 29.

Applications are now open for the competition that transforms Fasano into an international opera stage every year: the “Valerio Gentile” International Opera Singing Competition. Now in its twenty-ninth edition, it has become a firmly established event in the world of young opera singers, attracting singers from all over the world each year and launching new careers.

The history of the competition began with an act of love. It was established in 1997 by the Gentile family in memory of Valerio, a young and passionate opera-singing student who died far too soon. Over almost thirty years, that memory has grown into a competition that opens its doors to singers from around the world who will not yet have turned 32 by January 1, 2026. Applications must be submitted by November 29, 2026.

### An international jury

The prestige of this edition is once again guaranteed by a panel bringing together the stage, musical direction, and the people involved in casting decisions. It will be chaired by soprano Maria Agresta, one of the most highly regarded Italian performers on the international scene, a singer acclaimed at the world’s leading opera houses and major opera festivals. For the young competitors, performing before her means measuring themselves against someone who has reached the highest levels of that career path.

She will be joined by professionals representing the various facets of the opera world:

* Maria Pia Piscitelli, renowned Apulian soprano
* Giuseppe Finzi, conductor
* Franziska Kaiser, casting manager at the Wiesbaden Theatre in Germany
* Emanuele Destrini, opera agent (TACT International)

The competitors will be accompanied on the piano by Maestro Ettore Papadia.

This line-up makes the competition a true bridge to the professional world: artists, conductors, casting professionals, and agents coming together to hear the voices of tomorrow.

### Concrete prizes for real projects

The scholarships are intended exclusively to support the artistic projects selected by the winners, while the finalists are guaranteed paid concerts in the seasons of the organizations belonging to the Artistic Committee.

The prize pool includes:

* **1st prize:** €2,000, diploma, and paid concerts
* **2nd prize:** €1,000, diploma, and paid concerts
* **3rd prize:** €500, diploma, and paid concerts
* **Margherita Latorre Prize:** €300 for the youngest finalist
* **TALENTItalia Scholarship:** €750, provided by the organization of the same name, an APS [nonprofit association for social promotion], and promoted by ACLI Brindisi
* **Lions Club Fasano Scholarship:** €500
* **Fasano Municipal Administration Scholarship:** €500, awarded to the finalist receiving the most votes from the audience in the hall

These prizes are complemented by valuable opportunities for professional development: concerts as part of the seasons of Festival Ritratti (artistic direction by Antonia Valente), the “Opera Prima” Musical Association (directed by Vincenzo and Ludovica Rana), and the Voci & Voci Pacentro Festival (directed by Guido Galterio); free admission to the 2027 Accademia del Belcanto of the Paolo Grassi Foundation in Martina Franca (directed by Gennaro Carrieri); and a masterclass with a concert at L’Atelier delle Arti at Palazzo Pesce in Mola di Bari (directed by Margherita Rotondi).

### Two days of auditions, one gala evening

The program begins on Tuesday, December 8, with the preliminary round. On Wednesday, December 9, the semifinal will take place in the morning. That evening, at 7:30 p.m., the Teatro Sociale will open its doors to the public for the Opera Gala: a concert featuring the finalists, culminating in the announcement of the winners of the 29th edition. The audience in attendance will also choose the recipient of the scholarship from the Fasano Municipal Administration.

For Fasano, this is an opportunity to reaffirm its role, once again, as a crossroads of cultures and talent: a city that, for two days, will speak the universal language of bel canto.
Web: valeriogentile.it