17th International Singing Competition for Baroque Opera «Pietro Antonio Cesti»
Thanks for 210 applications!
We're currently listening to every recording.
Everyone selected for the 1st round will be informed
via email until 21 June 2026 at the latest.

Prizes
- Prize € 5.000*
- Prize € 3.500**
- Prize € 2.500***
Young Artist Award € 2.000*
Audience Award € 1.500
Special prizes
- Taking part in the Barockoper:Jung production of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s «Adriano in Siria» at the Innsbrucker Festwochen 2027
- Participation at the Festwochen Masterclass with Anna Bonitatibus****
- Allegorica Award
- Concert within the scope of the Resonanzen Wien
- Concert or opera engagement with Il Gusto Barocco / Jörg Halubek
- Opera engagement with Academia Montis Regalis / Chiara Cattani at the Teatro del Maggio Fiorentino
- Engagement within the scope of Milano Arte Musica
- Engagement at the Musikfestspiele Potsdam Sanssouci
- Engagement with Scherzi Musicali
- a. o.
* Made possible through the generous donation of Regina and Franz Etz.
** Made possible through the generous donation of Goldschmiede Norz.
*** Made possible through the generous donation of Dr. Michael Nogler.
**** Made possible by a kind donation in the name of Joanna and Eugene Faber.
Jury
- Sebastian Schwarz - Casting Manager at the Teatro alla Scala Milano, Chairman of the Jury
- Ottavio Dantone - Conductor and Musical Director at Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik
- Anna Bonitatibus - Opera Singer, Recitalist, Publisher
- Francesco Corti - Professor at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis - FHNW, Musical Director at Drottningholms Slottsteater
- Paolo Monacchi - Managing Director at Allegorica Opera Management
- Boris Ignatov - Casting Director at the Staatsoper Stuttgart
- Elena Rizzo - Casting Manager at the Teatro Petruzzelli Bari
- Alberto Miguélez Rouco - Countertenor, Musical Director of Los Elementos
Schedule
- Tuesday, 25 August 2026
Registration (10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) and welcome with drawing of performance order (4:00 p.m.) - Wednesday, 26 August 2026
First round - Thursday, 27 August 2026
First round and announcement of the order of performances in the second round (in the evening) - Friday, 28 August 2026
Round 2 and announcement of the finalists in the evening - Saturday, 29 August 2026
Preparation day for the final - Sunday, 30 August 2026
Dress rehearsal and final
The entire competition will be held at the Haus der Musik (Universitätstraße 1, 6020 Innsbruck).








