The Leyla Gencer Voice Competition, which was launched in 1995, will mark its sixth edition from Aug. 21-26 with performances at the Cemal Reşit Rey (CRR) Concert Hall and the Aya İrini Museum.The competition, a biennial event since 2006, is a joint effort between the İstanbul Foundation for Culture and Art (İKSV) and Italy’s Accademia Teatro alla Scala, where the late Leyla Gencer, billed in opera circles as “La Diva Turca,” taught and served as artistic director for many years until her death in May 2008, at the age of 80.
Differing from the preliminary selection process of previous years, where applicants were evaluated through CD recordings in the first round, this year’s competition selected applicants at live performances throughout May at well-known opera houses in Barcelona, Berlin and Milan, in addition to İstanbul.
Forty singers from 14 countries will compete in the three final rounds of the sixth competition, beginning with a rehearsal round on Aug. 21. The quarterfinals are scheduled for Aug. 22-23, while the eight finalists will be decided during the semifinal on Aug. 24. They will then compete in the final round to be held on the evening of Aug. 26 at the Aya İrini.
Tickets for the semifinal and final of the Sixth Leyla Gencer Voice Competition went on sale yesterday at Biletix and at the İKSV building in Şişhane.
