1. General
“Das Lied - International Song Competition”, exclusively dedicated to the genre of the Lied, is held in Berlin every two years. This competition not only features substantial financial awards, but also offers attention, recognition, and distinction to promising young singers. Singers and Lied duos from all over the world are welcome to participate.
2. Registration
a) The competition “Das Lied - International Song Competition” 2011 is open to singers or singer/pianist duos from all over the world born in 1979 or later.
Accompanying pianists can also be admitted if they were born before 1979. However, they will not be considered as competition participants and cannot win any awards.
Registrations can be sent from May 1, 2010 to October 31, 2010 (postmark).
Please send all registrations by registered mail to:
Internationaler Liedwettbewerb in Berlin GmbH
Postfach 12 11 39
D–10605 Berlin
b) The singers and/or song duos must submit the following documents and materials:
All forms can be downloaded from the homepage (see “Registration Forms”). Submitted materials and documents will not be returned, even in case of non-participation. Entries will only be considered by the preliminary jury if they are completely filled out and on time (this includes the payment of the registration fee).
The registration fee of 100.00 € should be transferred (free of charge to the recipient) to the following account:
Internationaler Liedwettbewerb in Berlin GmbH
Deutsche Bank, Account Number 7287378
Bank Code: 10070024
IBAN: DE89 100 700 240 728727800
BIC (SWIFT CODE): DEUT DE DBBER
Memo: “Registration Fee” and “Name”
The registration fee is non-refundable, even in case of withdrawal from the competition. For song duos, the registration fee need only be paid once. Accompanying pianists need not pay a separate registration fee.
3. Pre-selection
A preliminary jury, consisting of members of the jury, will decide which candidates will participate in the Berlin competition, selecting at most 40 singers and/or song duos from among the registrations that arrive complete and on time. The deliberations of the preliminary jury are confidential. No explanations will be given. The decisions of the preliminary jury are final, and there is no right to legal appeal.
The list of chosen participants will be announced on December 1, 2010. All applicants will be informed of the decisions in writing.
4. Competition
a) The competition in 2011 will be held from February 23–27, 2011 in three rounds. Participants commit to keep the dates from February 23–27, 2011 free of other commitments. The organizers are to be notified immediately in case of withdrawal from the competition.
The participants are to register in person on February 22, 2011 between 12 and 2 pm at Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler with photo identification.
The order of appearance for the first round is chosen by lottery on February 22, 2011, and the program is set. The order of appearance for the later rounds and the program will be determined on the evening before each subsequent round.
The participants will have an opportunity to warm up at Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler. The participants can use the conservatory’s practice rooms during the competition. A detailed rehearsal schedule will be posted and distributed.
The first two rounds will be held at Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin, the third and last round at the Chamber Music Hall, Philharmonie Berlin.
b) For the 2011 competition, all participants (singers and/or song duos) are to prepare 15 songs by Johannes Brahms and 15 songs by Hugo Wolf. Songs from song cycles may be chosen. The repertoire of thirty songs submitted upon registration is binding. Later changes are not possible.
The songs are to be sung from memory in the original language of composition. If required, a piano accompanist can be provided. This binding request should be submitted upon registration. Music for the submitted repertoire should be brought for the jury to the competition.
c) The following prizes can be awarded:
Singers:
Accompanying Pianists:
Prizes will only be awarded if a worthy candidate is found. The prizes can also be divided among several participants.
d) The winners of the competition will be chosen by a highly qualified jury. The criteria are:
The jury alone will decide how these criteria are to be applied and weighted. The deliberations of the jury are confidential. No explanations will be given. The jury decisions are final, and there is no right to legal appeal.
Jury members will not judge any of their current or former students. If a student of a jury member should participate, the jury member will abstain from evaluating the candidate in question. Participants are not permitted to have any contact with the jury during the competition.
e) Prizes will be awarded at the Prizewinner Concert on Feb. 27, 2011 at 11am, Chamber Music Hall at Berlin’s Philharmonie.
5. Sound and Video Recordings
It is possible that competition rounds or the finale will be recorded or filmed by radio or television stations here and abroad, or photographed by journalists and published here or abroad. By entering the competition and signing the relevant declaration of consent, the participations agree to these recordings and/or photographs and their use.