IVC 2026 Finals
The International Vocal Competition (IVC) is a classical singing competition that has attracted singers from all over the world to ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands since 1954. Once a small singing competition aimed at singers from the Benelux, the IVC has grown into an internationally renowned competition that attracts participants, artistic directors and supporters from all over the world. The IVC is the international singing competition in the Netherlands which regularly guarantees world-class classical vocal music.
Over the years, the IVC has proved to be a springboard for many celebrities who began their careers at the IVC, such as Elly Ameling, Robert Holl, Thomas Hampson, Nelly Miricioiu, Ileana Cotrubas, Viorica Cortez, Marco Bakker, Jard van Nes, Linda Finnie, Sophie Koch, Sarah Connolly, Lenneke Ruiten, Ilse Eerens, Claron McFadden, Nadine Koutcher, Catriona Morison and Pretty Yende. The IVC ranks among the top in the world of international classical singing competitions and has developed into a cultural calling card for the Netherlands over the past 70 years. Since September 2023, the IVC has been led by British countertenor Andrew Watts. The IVC aims to enrich the art of classical singing and preserve it for future generations. During the Competition, music from the Baroque to the 21st century is performed before a prominent international jury. And discover the finalists and winner, live on OperaVision.
CAST
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Finalists
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Chao Liu
Lea Shaw
Evan Gray
Thomas McGowan
Jack Lee
Aaron-Casey Gould
Yuriy Hadzetskyy
Viktoriia Shamanska
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Orchestra
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Philzuid Symphony Orchestra
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Conductor
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Karen Kamensek
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PROGRAMME
Philzuid & Karen Kamensek
Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901)
La forza del Destino: Overture, IGV. 11
Evan Gray
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Eh! Consolatevi… Madamina, il catalogo è questo, Don Giovanni
Jack Lee
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Meine Seele ist erschüttert!, Christus am Ölberge
Aaron-Casey Gould
Ruggero Leoncavallo (1857–1919)
O Colombina, il tenero fido Arlecchin, Pagliacci
Lea Shaw
George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
As with rosy steps the morn, Theodora
Viktoriia Shamanska
Gustave Charpentier (1860–1956)
Depuis le jour, Louise
Thomas McGowan
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Betrachte, meine Seel’, St. John Passion (Johannes-Passion)
Chao Liu
Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901)
È sogno? O realtà?, Falstaff
Maria Knihnytska
Joseph Haydn (1732–1809)
Und Gott sprach: Es bringe die Erde Gras hervor / Nun beut die Flur das frische Grün, Die Schöpfung (The Creation)
Yuriy Hadzetskyy
Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901)
Di Provenza il mar, il suol, La traviata
Lea Shaw
Anne-Maartje Lemereis (b. 1989)
Feathers, commissioned work for the 59th International Vocal Competition
Aaron-Casey Gould
Anne-Maartje Lemereis (b. 1989)
Feathers, commissioned work for the 59th International Vocal Competition
Viktoriia Shamanska
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Alleluia, Exsultate, jubilate, K. 165
Lea Shaw
Gioachino Rossini (1792–1868)
Nacqui all’affanno… Non più mesta, La Cenerentola
Aaron-Casey Gould
Joseph Haydn (1732–1809)
Und Gott sprach… / Und Gott schuf… mit Würd’ und Hoheit angetan, Die Schöpfung (The Creation)
Yuriy Hadzetskyy
Gustav Mahler (1860–1911)
Ich hab’ ein glühend Messer, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, No. 3
Evan Gray
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847)
Es ist genug!, Elias
Thomas McGowan
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Hai già vinta la causa!… Vedrò mentr’io sospiro, Le nozze di Figaro
Chao Liu
George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
Why do the nations?, Messiah
Jack Lee
Franz Lehár (1870–1948)
Dein ist mein ganzes Herz, Das Land des Lächelns
2026 FINALISTS
Winners of 2024
Past winners on OperaVision
Dame Sarah Connolly
Dame Sarah Connolly, one of the most celebrated English mezzo-sopranos, won the 2nd prize in 1994 and served as the jury president of the competition in 2021. See her on stage for the Victoria de los Ángeles Centennial Gala.
Lenneke Ruiten
Dutch soprano Lenneke Ruiten took home the top prize of the competition in 2002 and has since built an international career. Enjoy her brilliant interpretation of 'Ah! Se il crudel periglio' from Mozart's Lucio Silla on OperaVision.
Ilse Eerens
Belgian soprano Ilse Eerens earned the Arleen Auger Prize in 2004, a special distinction awarded to the finalist who excels in all three categories: Opera, Oratorio, and Lieder. You might remember her from Der Rosenkavalier at La Monnaie / De Munt, where she gave a wonderful rendition of the duet ‘Mir ist die Ehre widerfahren’ with mezzo-soprano Michèle Losier.
Catriona Morison
Before BBC Cardiff Singer of the World in 2017, Catriona Morison also won the Toonkunst Oratorio Prize at the International Vocal Competition in 2014. Listen to the Scottish mezzo-soprano singing Charlotte's aria in Werther.
Werther ! Qui m'aurait dit... Ces lettres !
Thomas Hampson
Thomas Hampson won the First Prize of the IVC in 1980. Renowned for his vast operatic repertoire, he is one of the most acclaimed baritones in the world and has also dedicated himself to mentoring the next generation of opera singers. Listen to him share his invaluable insights to emerging artists in our podcast series.
