Finale – IV International Virgilijus Noreika Singing Competition

The International Virgilijus Noreika Singing Competition is one of Lithuania’s most important vocal music events, bringing together promising opera singers from around the world. The final round – a gala concert – invites audiences to experience the excitement of the competition, support their favourites and hear voices that could become the future stars of the international opera stage.

The competition is dedicated to Virgilijus Noreika, one of Lithuania’s most distinguished opera singers and tenors. His artistic legacy and contribution to Lithuanian vocal culture continue to inspire today’s performers. Noreika himself was actively involved in establishing the competition and shaping its traditions, helping prepare its regulations and serving on the jury of its first editions.

The final of the 4th International Virgilijus Noreika Singing Competition will feature the most talented contestants selected by an international jury. Accompanied by the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre Symphony Orchestra, the finalists will perform two selected opera arias each and compete for the competition’s main awards.

This year, 180 singers from four continents applied for the competition. The preliminary stage included participants from 34 countries, while 82 singers from 27 countries were invited to take part in the first round.

The gala concert will be conducted by Mārtiņš Ozoliņš, one of the leading opera conductors in the Baltic region and Chief Conductor of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. Throughout his career, he has conducted numerous operas, ballets and concerts and collaborated with leading orchestras across Europe and Asia.

The concert will be followed by the announcement of the competition’s laureates and the awards ceremony.