The press conference dedicated to the 5th Adam Didur International Opera Vocal Competition has concluded. Participants included Joanna Bojczuk, Member of the Silesian Voivodeship Board; Mariusz Wołosz, Mayor of Bytom; Dr. Andrzej Dobber, Artistic Director of the Competition; Łukasz Goik, Director of the Silesian Opera; and Prof. Ewa Biegas, juror and Dean of the Vocal and Acting Department at the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice.
We begin on October 6th with a grand Inaugural Concert featuring world-renowned bass Rafał Siwek, as invited by Marshal Joanna Bojczuk, who also mentioned the upcoming "Lviv Opera for Adam Didur" concert and the Laureates’ Concerts. The auditions are open to the public, and from the second stage onwards, they can be followed online.
Marshal Joanna Bojczuk and Mayor Mariusz Wołosz expressed their delight that such a prestigious event is taking place in the Silesian Voivodeship, emphasizing its significance for the entire region. "The Silesian Opera is Bytom's pride," said the Mayor. It's worth noting that among the competition’s prizes are those funded by the Mayor of Bytom, Mariusz Wołosz – a 10,000 PLN prize for the audience's favorite, and a 10,000 PLN prize for the best Polish participant, funded by the Mayor of Katowice, Marcin Krupa.
The Silesian region will be filled with musical life thanks to the first stage of the competition, which will be held at the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice. "The competition is an excellent opportunity for young singers to test their skills and gain stage experience, and we are proud that the auditions are taking place at the Katowice Academy," said Prof. Ewa Biegas, Dean of the Vocal and Acting Department at the Academy of Music in Katowice and a jury member in the competition.
The total prize pool is impressive, exceeding 40,000 euros, as highlighted by Silesian Opera Director Łukasz Goik during the press conference. He added that the special non-statutory prizes, awarded by members of the Honorary Committee and opera theater directors in Poland and abroad, are of great value. These include the Grand Theatre – National Opera, Wrocław Opera, Kraków Opera, Grand Theatre in Poznań, Polish Royal Opera, Baltic Opera, as well as Semperoper Dresden and Lviv Opera.
Łukasz Goik also emphasized the prestigious collaboration between the Silesian Opera and the New York Metropolitan Opera (MET), which provided archival, previously unpublished photographs of Adam Didur. The Artistic Director of the competition, Dr. Andrzej Dobber, presented the competition program, reminding everyone that 72 participants from 13 nationalities have qualified for the event. He also highlighted the importance of remembering Adam Didur, the founder of the Silesian Opera and a legendary bass. Andrzej Dobber will also perform in the Inaugural Concert, which serves as a tribute to our great competition patron.
The competition is held under the Honorary Patronage of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage Hanna Wróblewska, the Silesian Voivode Marek Wójcik, the Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship Wojciech Saługa, the Mayor of Bytom Mariusz Wołosz, and the Mayor of Katowice Marcin Krupa. The competition is co-financed by funds from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, derived from the Culture Promotion Fund, a state earmarked fund, as part of the Music program implemented by the National Institute of Music and Dance.