New prize by Wagnergenootschap Nederland

05 July 2016 The Wagnergenootschap Nederland has instituted a new prize for the next IVC.

The Wagnergenootschap Nederland has instituted a new prize for the next International Vocal Competition 's-Hertogenbosch: the Wagner Prize for The Netherlands, which existence is secured for the next 5 competitions. The Wagner Prize for The Netherlands (€ 5.000) is focused on development and professionalization, and will be awarded to a candidate in the category 'Opera', who is capable to perform Wagner's work. The Prize will contribute to the cost of study courses with an renowned Wagner specialist. The Wagner Prize for The Netherlands will be awarded during the next Opera | Oratorio Competition which will be held in 2017.

Aim
With the Wagner Prize for The Netherlands the Wagnergenootschap Nederland (WGN) aims to promote the work by composer Richard Wagner to the attention of audiences, musicians and young singers. The Prize focuses on education: to encourage young singers to perform the specific Wagner repertoire and to further develop and professionalize in cooperation with a Wagner specialist. The Wagner Prize is intended as an operatic incentive prize: only candidates who enter the Opera category of the IVC will be considered. Candidates must be at least admitted to the Semi-Finals.

Jury
The jury of the Wagner Prize for The Netherlands includes 3 members of the international IVC jury: Evamaria Wieser (Casting/Artistic Consultant Lyric Opera Chicago/Salzburger Festspiele), baritone Sergei Leiferkus and bass Robert Holl. And 2 members representing the Wagner Society Netherlands: external artistic adviser Hans Middelhuis (Dutch Touring Opera) and Leo Cornelissen (chairman WGN) who also acts as chairman of the jury.

Incentive
The Wagnervereeniging was formed in Amsterdam in 1883, the year of Wagner’s death, and was soon to become renowned. This organization ceased its activities some 75 years later in 1959 and was followed by the Wagnergenootschap Nederland (WGN), founded in 1961. 2016 marks the 55th anniversary of the WGN; this Wagner Prize of The Netherlands was instituted in May 2016 to mark this occasion and to commemorate more than 130 years of Wagner tradition in the Netherlands.