Agnesi
International Music Competition
International Music Competition
Rules
Rules
The “Agnesi International Vocal Chamber Music Competition” is open to soloists and chamber ensembles (duo voice and instrument) of any nationality. The competition aims to promote vocal and interpretative excellence in the chamber vocal repertoire, encouraging stylistic development and artistic collaboration between singers and instrumentalists. It also intends to enhance chamber vocal music from all eras, with particular attention to international repertoire and the female figure in the history of music. The competition is intended as an opportunity for artistic growth, comparison and visibility for young talents from all over the world.
Article 2: Dates and Location of the Competition
– Online Pre-selections: the material must be sent no later than October 30, 2025.
– Semi-final and Final in person: from November 20 to 22, 2025 at Villa Borromeo d’Adda, Arcore (MB).
The Winners’ Concert will be held on November 23, 2025.
Opera singers of any vocal register and instrumentalists, aged between 18 and 36 (born from 1989 onwards) may participate.
Soloists Section: Voice
Free choice program of a maximum duration of 10 minutes that includes chamber compositions (lieder, salon romances, chansons…) by different authors in at least two languages from the 18th to the 20th century and contemporary repertoire. At least one composition must be in Italian.
The pianist will be made available by the Competition.
Duo Section: Voice and Instrument
Free choice program of a maximum duration of 15 minutes that includes chamber compositions (lieder, salon romances, chansons, etc.) by different authors in at least two languages from the 18th to the 20th century and contemporary repertoire. At least one composition must be in Italian.
– Registration deadline: October 30, 2025.
– Method: registration using the form available on the website www.agnesivocalchambercompetition.it
– Registration fee: €80 (soloists) and €110 (duos) to be paid at the time of registration. The fee is non-refundable.
Candidates who require a visa to stay in Italy are invited to contact the Competition Secretariat by email to request an official letter of invitation, to be used for the consular procedure.
Soloists Section (Conservatory Students)
Candidates must send:
Duo Section (Voice and Instruments)
Candidates must send:
The payment of the registration fee must be made by bank transfer to:
New Star APS
IBAN: IT 20 F 02008 01643 000106140781
BIC code: UNCRITM1243
Reason for the transfer, please indicate: “Agnesi International Vocal Chamber Competition” followed by the Name and Surname of the participant.
The payment of the registration fee can be made by bank transfer or, alternatively, by PayPal (payment to: direzione@newstarmilano.it).
In case of payment by PayPal, the registration fee will be €84.00 (soloists) and €115.00 (duos) to cover the related commissions. Candidates who pass the pre-selection with a minimum score of 89/100 will be admitted to the Semi-final in person.
The composition submitted for the online pre-selection must be performed live with piano accompaniment and must have been recorded in 2025.
The pieces must be performed in the original key and in the original language.
The recording must be made in horizontal format, with good audio and video quality.
The video must be uploaded to YouTube in “unlisted” mode, and the corresponding link must be sent in the registration email.
The program of the semi-final must be freely chosen by the candidate, with a maximum duration of 10 minutes (soloists) and 15 minutes (duos) that includes chamber compositions (lieder, salon romances, chansons, etc.) by different authors in at least two languages from the 18th to the 20th century and contemporary repertoire. At least one composition must be in Italian. If the aria indicated for the Special “Satie” Prize is present, it must be performed (Duo section only).
An official pianist of the competition is foreseen for the Soloists section. Candidates who wish to avail themselves of this service must pay an additional fee of €30.00 to be paid at the same time as sending the scores (immediately after the announcement of admission to the semi-final phase).
Candidates will have the opportunity to perform a short rehearsal (maximum 15 minutes) with the official pianist approximately two hours before the start of their audition, according to the calendar that will be communicated by the organization.
Alternatively, it is possible to show up with a trusted accompanying pianist, subject to prior notification to the competition secretariat.
Candidates who have obtained a minimum score of 96/100 in the semi-final will be admitted to the final phase.
The program will be the same as that performed in the semi-final. The jury also reserves the right to request, where present, the performance of the piece indicated for the Special “Satie” Prize (Duo section only).
In the event of using the official pianist, a new fee of €30.00 will be required to be paid directly at the venue before the start of the final test.
The Winners’ Concert, open to the public, will be held at Villa Borromeo d’Adda in Arcore on Sunday 23 November 2025.
Candidates selected to participate will perform one or two of the pieces presented during the competition, as indicated by the Commission.
For this occasion, the accompaniment by the official pianist of the competition does not involve any financial contribution to the candidate.
The jury will be composed of:
The jury’s decision is final. In the event of teaching or family relationships with the candidates, the members must abstain from voting.
Soloists Section
Duo Section
Special Prizes (Duo Section only)
All participants will receive a diploma of participation.
During the in-person phases, representatives of theaters, agencies, Festivals and Concert Seasons may be present. The organization reserves the right to nominate deserving performers for future collaborations.
Participants authorize the free use of their image and recordings made during the competition for promotional, archival and documentary purposes related to the competition.
The audio and video recordings made during the competition, including those related to the Winners’ Concert, may be freely used, distributed and broadcast in Italy and abroad by the organization for artistic, promotional, educational or documentary purposes, without participants being able to make any economic or legal claims in this regard.
The Artistic Direction reserves the right to make any changes to this regulation, if deemed necessary for organizational or artistic reasons. In this case, the Organization will promptly communicate any changes to the registered participants through the official channels of the competition.
The organization declines all responsibility for any damage or accidents that may occur to participants during the competition. It is recommended to take out your own personal insurance.
Personal data will be processed in accordance with EU Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR) for purposes related to the organization and promotion of the competition.
Sending the application form, correctly filled out in all its parts, implies full and unconditional acceptance of all the provisions contained in this regulation, including any changes made pursuant to Article 11.
For any disputes, the competent court is that of Milan.
For information:
vocalchamber@agnesiinternationalcompetition.it
WHATSAPP: +39 393 2946328 (messages only)
The Chamber Vocal Music section of the Agnesi International Music Competition is dedicated to singers and chamber groups (voice and instrument duos) who wish to compete with one of the most refined and intense repertoires in musical literature.
The competition is open to performers of all nationalities and aims to enhance not only technical excellence, but above all interpretative maturity, the quality of musical understanding and the ability to narrate through words and sound.
The competition aims to pay homage to the Italian and international chamber vocal heritage, highlighting the profound connection between music, poetry and expressive intimacy.
The jury of the Chamber Vocal Music section of the Agnesi International Music Competition is composed of key figures in the international music scene: singers, conductors and pianists of recognized prestige, deeply connected to the world of vocal and chamber music interpretation. With a careful, sensitive and up-to-date look, the commission will evaluate the candidates taking into account not only their technical and vocal skills, but also their communicative depth, the cohesion between voice and piano, and the interpretative choice within the proposed program.
The Chamber Vocal Music section of the Agnesi International Music Competition rewards not only technique and precision, but above all the ability to excite, communicate and create an authentic dialogue between voice and instrument.
The awards provided are designed to offer visibility, growth and real opportunities: scholarships, award concerts, special mentions and awards dedicated to the interpretive personality and the quality of the ensemble.
An award is not just a result, but a starting point for those who want to transform their talent into a concrete artistic path.
Discover all the awards provided for this section and get inspired.
Winners
WAITING FOR…
