GENERAL INFO

1st ROUND (ONLINE)

The 1st Round will take place online.
Participants should send 2 videos of free choice via e-mail on [email protected] together with the application form, the participation fee of 50€, the proof of payment and all the information required (s. "General Terms and Conditions") until 20th July 2026.
Links to the videos must lead to a YouTube channel. Links leading to other pages or applications or as attachments will not be accepted.
The videos should not be older than 2 years. Videos older than that will not be accepted.
The results of the 1st round will be communicated to all participants by 25th July 2026 via e-mail.

SEMI-FINALS AND FINALS (LIVE IN BAD EMS)

Please note that finals are open to the public.

PRIZES

The winners of the competition may be considered for future engagements with the "Internationale Offenbachiade".

Applicants who will pass to the semi-finals will be informed via e-mail until 25th July 2026.
Applicants will be asked to confirm their presence in the semi-finals and finals and send their repertory for the next two rounds till 30th July 2026 at 23:00.

REPERTOIRE (WHAT TO SING IN EACH ROUND)

PRELIMINARY ROUND (ONLINE)

Two arias of the candidate's choice, either from an opera or operetta. The arias should be sent as YouTube links and must not be older than 2 years old. The videos should not be edited. They can be studio or live recordings with piano or orchestra accompaniment.

SEMI FINAL ROUND (LIVE)

An aria of the candidate's choice, either from an opera or an operetta. It cannot be one from the preliminary round. Note that the jury has the right to ask for a second aria- if necessary. In this case, you are allowed to present one of your video arias.

FINAL ROUND (LIVE)

Obligatory is an aria from an opera or operetta composed by Jacques Offenbach. It is of your free choice but it should not be heard already in a previous round. The aria has to be sung in the original language.
An aria from an opera or an operetta of free choice (it may be any style and language) that you haven't sang yet- it cannot be one of the arias you sang on the videos or in the semifinal round.

PIANIST:

There will be a pianist provided by the festival, but you are free to bring a pianist of your choice at your own expense.

PIANO REDUCTION (SCORES):

WARM-UP:

There might be a room available. Please make sure to have done a warm-up before you come to the audition venues.

DRESS CODE:

There is no dress code for the semi-finals, we kindly recommend to be dressed with respect to the jury. For the finals, the dress code is for ladies: evening dress and for gentlemen: suit/ tuxedo/ tailcoat.

VISA:
Please note that you perhaps need a VISA for the country of the semi-final and final rounds.

JOURNEY AND ACCOMODATION:

Please note that you have to organise the journey and accommodation to the qualifications and to the final rounds on your own, and come up for the expenses.

MEDIA:

The administration of the “Jacques Offenbach Grand Prix” and the “Offenbachiade” reserve the right to allow radio and television stations to record and broadcast excerpts of the finals. The same applies for film, audio and video (stream) recordings in all known and future media. The participants will receive no remuneration for this.
Please note that results of all rounds and all names of participants will be published on all social medias, together with the photo material participants will send us.

DATA EXCHANGE AND PROTECTION:

Participants agree to the disclosure of their data (name, contact details) to agencies, opera and concert houses, festivals etc. only for professional contact purposes.

RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL:

Participants have the right to withdraw from the participation at the semi-finals or final rounds any time without giving any reason. Participants who decide to withdraw are kindly asked to inform the administration about their withdraw via e-mail: [email protected] on a reasonable time before the rounds. Application fee will not be refundable

Conditions´ Update: June 2026