Competition 2024

1 June 2024 at 2-5 pm
Competitors register at the Competition Office
Helsinki Music Centre, Mannerheimintie 13 A

1 June 2024 at 6 pm
Draw for order of performance
Helsinki Music Centre, Mannerheimintie 13 A

3-6 June 2024 at 11 am and 6 pm
Preliminary round
Sibelius Academy Concert Hall, Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 9, Helsinki

5 June 2024 at 4.30 pm
Singers’ Studio
Helsinki Music Centre Camerata Concert Hall, Mannerheimintie 13 A
Admission free

6 June 2024 at 5 pm
Competition Behind the Scene
Helsinki Music Centre Lower Foyer, Mannerheimintie 13 A
Admission free

7–8 June 2024 at 11 am and 6 pm
Semifinals
Helsinki Music Centre Concert Hall, Mannerheimintie 13 A

10–11 June 2024 at 3 pm
Master Classes
Helsinki Music Centre Camerata Concert Hall, Mannerheimintie 13 A
Admission free

12 June 2024 at 6.30 pm
Competition final
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Helsinki Music Centre Concert Hall, Mannerheimintie 13 A

The oldest permanent orchestra in the Nordic countries, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra has 102 musicians and annually performs to a total audience of over 110,000. During its 140-year history, the orchestra has premiered most of the symphonic works by Jean Sibelius with the composer himself conducting, and continues its commitment to contemporary music by commissioning works by both Finnish and foreign composers.

The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra has had 13 Chief Conductors. Under Susanna Mälkki, who took over in 2016 and stood down after the 2022–2023 season, the orchestra has developed into an increasingly impressive actor on the international scene.

After Mälkki, the artistic leadership is taken over by Jukka-Pekka Saraste as the chief conductor, Pekka Kuusisto as the principal guest conductor, and an annual composer-in-residence (with Anna Clyne as the first, 2023–2024).

Photo: Maarit Kytöharju

In addition to the Helsinki Music Centre Concert Hall, intended for acoustic music, there are also five smaller halls in the Centre – Black Box, Camerata, Organo, Sonore, and the Rehearsal Hall Paavo – and the Klubi Restaurant, all of which have different acoustics and uses. Also the city’s best classical music record store, Fuga Musiikki, is located in the Centre.

During the season from September to May, Helsinki Music Centre hosts 70 to 100 concerts and other events every month.

The residents of the Helsinki Music Centre are the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Sibelius Academy.

Photo: Petri Anttila.

I €50,000

II €40,000

III €30,000

Finalists IV-VI €10,000

An honorary diploma will be awarded to all the finalists. Semifinalists (excluding the finalists) will receive an award of €1,500 and a diploma.

A prize of €5,000 will be awarded for the best performance by a non-Finnish singer of a Finnish song.

A prize of €5,000 will be awarded for the best performance of a Lied.

Engagements; The competition also collaborates with the Ondine record label.

Aino Turtiainen-Visala, Chair
Managing Director (CEO), Fazer Artists´ Management Inc.

Soile Isokoski
Opera Singer

Gita Kadambi
General Director, Finnish National Opera

Juhana Lassila
Director of Cultural Affairs, The Finnish Cultural Foundation

The Competition Director acts as the secretary of the committee.

After the Preliminary round, the jury selects competitors for the Master Classes held in conjunction with the competition. Taught by members of the Jury, the Master Classes are admission free and open for public.

Singers’ Studio

Singer’s Studio is a special event for the competitors and for the general public, admission free.

In 2019, the special guest in the Singer’s Studio was Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, who talked about her career, mission to coach and mentor young talents.