59th IVC Opera & Oratorio - Main Rounds
Pleinzaal, Theater aan de Parade · Parade 23, 5211 KL 's-Hertogenbosch
Four days of Main Rounds - 40 singers each perform two programmes of opera and oratorio repertoire before the international jury.
- 40 selected singers of the 59th IVC
The Main Rounds of the 59th International Vocal Competition run from Friday 2 October to Monday 5 October 2026 in the Pleinzaal of Theater aan de Parade. Day 1 begins at 19:00 with the first singers presenting their opening programme.
Forty singers come to 's-Hertogenbosch to sing for an international jury led by opera director Sir David Pountney, alongside tenor and Dutch National Opera Academy director Paul McNamara and Opera Vlaanderen casting director Susanne Schmidt. Every singer performs twice across the four days, in at least three languages and from two or more style periods.
From these rounds roughly ten singers are selected for the Grand Finale on 10 October, where philharmonie zuidnederland plays under conductor Karen Kamensek.