After three successful years, the Graduate Auditions were expanded for the first time both in content and structure. Thanks to the generous support of the Rotary Club Wien - Prinz Eugen and Operabase, the auditions were held as a graduate competition with an awards ceremony. In addition to the decision of a distinguished expert jury, an audience prize was also awarded, highlighting the active involvement of the audience.

The jury consisted of prominent figures from the international music theatre scene: 

Adrian Eröd, Head of the Opera Studio of the Vienna State Opera 

Susann Kalauka, Artistic Managing Director, Staatstheater Nürnberg 

Maurice Lenhard, Head of the Opera Studio of the Volksoper Wien 

Cristiano Sandri, Artistic Director, Teatro Regio Torino 

Carolin Wielpütz, Artistic Managing Director, MusikTheater an der Wien 

Evamaria Wieser, Casting Director of the Salzburg Festival

From a large number of outstanding talents, the jury selected the following prize winners: 

1st Prize: Beatriz Maia, soprano / Portugal / Theaterakademie August Everding Munich 

2nd Prize: Salvador Simão, tenor / Portugal / Dutch National Opera Academy Amsterdam 

3rd Prize: Tara Cassan, soprano / France / Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna

An additional audience prize was awarded, which also went to Beatriz Maia.

Once again, the Kammeroper Vienna proved to be an ideal venue for showcasing young voices. For decades, its intimate setting has served as an essential springboard for emerging opera talent - many international careers began here. Jury member Adrian Eröd, now a celebrated singer of the Vienna State Opera, also took his first artistic steps at the Kammeroper.

The competition highlights the importance of sustainable support for young artists in music theatre while creating a space for encounters between emerging performers and key decision-makers in the international opera world.

With special thanks to the Rotary Club Wien - Prinz Eugen and Operabase for their valuable support.