faq - Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik

Registration

May I also upload an audio recording for the preliminary round?Expand or collapse accordion item “May I also upload an audio recording for the preliminary round?”

No, only video recordings are permitted.

What requirements must the video recording meet?Expand or collapse accordion item “What requirements must the video recording meet?”

The video recording must have been made within six months prior to submission and may not originate from a stage performance or a commercial CD production. Editing of the recording is not permitted.

What repertoire should the video for the preliminary selection include?Expand or collapse accordion item “What repertoire should the video for the preliminary selection include?”

Only arias or solo scenes from operas, oratorios, and secular cantatas are permitted.

The selected pieces must be by composers active between 1600 and 1750. Arias by composers who were mostly active in this period are also allowed, even if they were composed slightly outside these dates.

Examples of possible composers can be found in the Competition Rules (Article 14).

Can the video recording for the preliminary selection be changed?Expand or collapse accordion item “Can the video recording for the preliminary selection be changed?”

Yes, the recording for the preliminary selection can be updated via the registration platform until the application deadline (31.05.2026).

Does the recording for the preselection have to be sung on 415 or 440 hz and with harpsichord, as in the competition?Expand or collapse accordion item “Does the recording for the preselection have to be sung on 415 or 440 hz and with harpsichord, as in the competition?”

No, it can be sung in any instrumentation and pitch.

What should be considered when selecting arias for the 1st and 2nd round?Expand or collapse accordion item “What should be considered when selecting arias for the 1st and 2nd round?”

Only arias or solo scenes from operas, oratorios, and secular cantatas are permitted.

The selected pieces must be by composers active between 1600 and 1750. Arias by composers who were mostly active in this period are also allowed, even if composed slightly outside these dates.

Examples of possible composers can be found in the regulations (Article 14).

In the 2^nd round, it is mandatory to choose an aria in the Recitar cantando style from the 17^th century.

Are arias from oratorios permitted?Expand or collapse accordion item “Are arias from oratorios permitted?”

Yes, arias from oratorios are permitted.

Are arias from madrigals permitted?Expand or collapse accordion item “Are arias from madrigals permitted?”

No, arias from madrigals are not permitted.

Are there any requirements regarding the duration of the arias?Expand or collapse accordion item “Are there any requirements regarding the duration of the arias?”

Arias must be selected so that the maximum performance time does not exceed five minutes in the 1^st round and ten minutes in the 2^nd round.

May arias be shortened?Expand or collapse accordion item “May arias be shortened?”

The vocal part of the aria may not be shortened. However, preludes, interludes, and postludes may be shortened.

May an aria from the final repertoire list also be performed in another round?Expand or collapse accordion item “May an aria from the final repertoire list also be performed in another round?”

Yes, an aria from the final repertoire list may be performed in one of the other rounds. This aria may not be performed again in the final.

May an aria be performed twice?Expand or collapse accordion item “May an aria be performed twice?”

In the live rounds (1^st round, 2^nd round, and final), each aria may only be performed once. Only in the preliminary round (submitted video recording) may an aria also be presented in the following rounds.

Can the order of the arias be freely chosen?Expand or collapse accordion item “Can the order of the arias be freely chosen?”

In the registration form, participants must indicate in which round (1^st or 2^nd) each aria will be performed. One exception is the 17^th-century aria, which must be performed in the 2^nd round. Changes are possible until 31.07.2026. Please update the order by the application deadline (31.05.2026) directly on the registration platform. Please send any changes made between 31 May 2026 and 31 July 2026 to cesti@altemusik.at. Changes after this date cannot be made. The order of the final arias will be determined by the Innsbrucker Festwochen

Is it allowed to prepare two arias by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi for the final?Expand or collapse accordion item “Is it allowed to prepare two arias by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi for the final?”

No, in the final, participants must select one aria by Pergolesi and one aria by another composer from the required repertoire.

Is it allowed to perform arias for a different voice type than the one indicated in the registration?Expand or collapse accordion item “Is it allowed to perform arias for a different voice type than the one indicated in the registration?”

Yes, it is permitted to perform an aria from a different voice type.

Is it allowed to transpose arias?Expand or collapse accordion item “Is it allowed to transpose arias?”

The pieces must be performed in their original language, from memory, and in their original key.

Will the scores of the compulsory arias be provided?Expand or collapse accordion item “Will the scores of the compulsory arias be provided?”

Yes, the scores of the compulsory arias can be downloaded on the registration platform after registration.

Can the arias specified in the application be changed?Expand or collapse accordion item “Can the arias specified in the application be changed?”

Yes, changes are possible until 31.07.2026. Please update the order by the application deadline (31.05.2026) directly on the registration platform. Please send any changes made between 31 May 2026 and 31 July 2026 by email to cesti@altemusik.at. Subsequent changes will not be taken into account.

I missed the application deadline. Is it still possible to register?Expand or collapse accordion item “I missed the application deadline. Is it still possible to register?”

Unfortunately, we cannot accept any registrations after the deadline. We look forward to receiving your application next year.

When will the next edition of the Cesti Competition take place?Expand or collapse accordion item “When will the next edition of the Cesti Competition take place?”

The next edition of the Cesti Competition will take place at the end of August 2027. The exact dates will be announced here at a later time.

Competition procedure

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When is the competition office open and how can it be reached?Expand or collapse accordion item “When is the competition office open and how can it be reached?”

The competition office is open on competition days from 8:30 am to 7 pm and can be reached by e-mail at cesti@altemusik.ator by telephone at +43 512 571032 15.

What is the schedule of the competition?Expand or collapse accordion item “What is the schedule of the competition?”

25.08. Registration (10:30 am – 3 pm) and welcome with drawing of the order of performance (4 pm)
26.8. - 27.8. 1^st round: in the evening of 27.8. the participants of the 2^nd round and their performance time will be announced
28.08. 2^nd round: announcement of the finalists in the evening
29.08. Preparation day for the final
30.08. Dress rehearsal and final

Is it necessary to introduce myself before singing my chosen aria?Expand or collapse accordion item “Is it necessary to introduce myself before singing my chosen aria?”

Yes, the performance begins upon entering the stage. Participants should introduce themselves with their name and the title of the aria before singing. This introduction is considered part of the presentation.

Do recitatives have to be performed?Expand or collapse accordion item “Do recitatives have to be performed?”

Solo recitatives that precede an aria must be performed. For all other recitatives, participants may choose whether and which parts to perform.

Will there be a break between the two arias in the second round?Expand or collapse accordion item “Will there be a break between the two arias in the second round?”

No, the arias in the 2^nd round must be performed directly after one another by the participants.

Is there accompaniment for the live rounds?Expand or collapse accordion item “Is there accompaniment for the live rounds?”

The arias in the 1^st and 2^nd rounds will be performed with harpsichord accompaniment. The Innsbrucker Festwochen provides participants with an accompanist for these rounds. Participants may also choose to perform with their own accompanist.

The final arias will be performed with orchestral accompaniment. The day before the final is reserved for rehearsals with the orchestra and the finalists.

Is it possible to rehearse with the accompanists before the performance?Expand or collapse accordion item “Is it possible to rehearse with the accompanists before the performance?”

Participants have 10 minutes of rehearsal with an accompanist before the 1^st round and 20 minutes before the 2^nd round. The accompanist during the rehearsal will also accompany the participant during the performance. Participants may be assigned a different accompanist in the 2^nd round than in the 1^st round.

Do I need to bring sheet music for the accompanists?Expand or collapse accordion item “Do I need to bring sheet music for the accompanists?”

Yes, participants must bring the sheet music for the rehearsal and submit it at registration on 25.8.2026 at the Haus der Musik.

Are the rounds open to the public?Expand or collapse accordion item “Are the rounds open to the public?”

Yes, the live rounds are open to the public. Admission to the 1^st and 2^ndrounds is free. Tickets for the final are availablehere.

Is there a specific dress code?Expand or collapse accordion item “Is there a specific dress code?”

Participants are free to choose their attire. Stage clothing should best reflect their personality and, if possible, also the role they are performing.

Are there rooms available for warming up and practice?Expand or collapse accordion item “Are there rooms available for warming up and practice?”

At the Haus der Musik, practice rooms with pianos are available for participants starting from their registration.

When can the practice rooms be used?Expand or collapse accordion item “When can the practice rooms be used?”

The practice rooms are open on competition days from 8:30 am to 7 pm.

Is it allowed to rehearse in the competition hall?Expand or collapse accordion item “Is it allowed to rehearse in the competition hall?”

No, rehearsals are not allowed in the competition hall. Practice rooms are available on the 4^th floor of the Haus der Musik.

What hotels are available in Innsbruck?Expand or collapse accordion item “What hotels are available in Innsbruck?”

Information about hotels in Innsbruck can be found on the website of Innsbruck Tourismus (Hotels, rooms & accommodation in the Innsbruck region) as well as on various booking platforms (e.g. Booking.com, Airbnb, ...).

Can luggage be deposited?Expand or collapse accordion item “Can luggage be deposited?”

Luggage can be deposited at the competition office during the day. The Innsbrucker Festwochen do not take any liability for lost items.

Can WiFi be used?Expand or collapse accordion item “Can WiFi be used?”

Free WiFi is available at the Haus der Musik.