Musicum Laude is one of the most vibrant and significant vocal events in the Carpathian Basin: an audition, an international competition, and a singers’ marketplace all in one. Its jury includes directors of Western opera houses, casting managers, and artist agents, who not only assess the young singers’ performances but also offer real job opportunities to the most talented. Musicum Laude is a place where singers can find their mentor, their theatre, and their manager all at once.
The event connects three countries and three cities: Vienna, Oradea, and Debrecen. The live auditions take place in Vienna and Oradea, the masterclass is hosted by Oradea, and the final and gala are held at the Csokonai Theatre in Debrecen. Places in the masterclass are limited.
Schedule:
Dear Teachers and Young Talents!
You are the ones who keep the values of our musical culture alive and continue to build upon them — the voices of the future are born through your work.
With great pleasure and respect, we proudly announce the Musicum Laude Junior Singing Competition, created especially for talented young singers and their vocal teachers. The prestigious event will take place in the beautiful city of Târgu Mureș.
This special occasion is not only about giving young performers the opportunity to shine, but also about creating an inspiring professional meeting point — an environment where teachers and their students can grow together.
Special opportunity for teachers:
Teachers who register at least three students will have the opportunity to participate in the work of the jury, which will be recognized and rewarded accordingly.
For the best performers:
Prize winners and special award recipients will be offered prestigious performance opportunities!
Open to individual applicants as well!
If you would like to challenge yourself independently:
“Prove that you are the best — or receive genuine professional feedback.”
The professional background of the competition is provided by the Voice Department of the Partium Christian University (PKE), where we believe:
“PKE is not only about voice, but also about meaningful expression.”
Venue: Târgu Mureș
We warmly welcome all of you to celebrate together the power of music and the voices of the future!
The versatile mezzo-soprano Kinga Dobay is one of the few exceptional artists who has received international recognition and awards in both musical theatre and opera/operetta. While still studying, she won first prize at the Federal Singing Competition in Berlin (Chanson/Musical), performed as a soloist in more than 400 shows at the Friedrichstadt-Palast, and also sang the role of Anita in West Side Story at the Bregenz Festival.
At the Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition in Vienna, she received the highest award in the operetta category, and at the prestigious Operalia competition, she became the first German prize winner to personally receive the Zarzuela Prize trophy from Plácido Domingo at the Teatro Real.
In addition to her national engagements, her international appearances have taken her to venues such as the New National Theatre Tokyo, the Prague State Opera, Opera Ireland in Dublin, Teatro Francesco Cilea and Teatro Comunale Francesco Cilea, the Teatru Manoel, as well as the festivals of Al Bustan Festival, Vadstena Academy, and Alden Biesen Summer Opera Festival.
Besides her signature role, Carmen — which she has performed in more than 150 productions worldwide — she has particularly specialized in bel canto, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and George Frideric Handel operas.
She is also a highly sought-after guest in major concert halls, including the Concertgebouw, Konzerthaus Berlin, Gewandhaus, Tonhalle Düsseldorf, Tonhalle Zürich, Victoria Hall, St. Thomas Church, Laeiszhalle, and the Berlin Philharmonie.
In the final year of elementary school, I had to start thinking about my future and which path to follow. That was when I realized that music was what I had the greatest talent for. I had already won several singing and folk-song competitions without any formal training, which convinced my parents that it was only natural for me to follow in the footsteps of my famous older brother and devote both my heart and mind to music.
I was successfully admitted to the Nagy István Music and Fine Arts High School, where I formed many kind and lasting friendships with young people similar to myself. I learned a great deal from my teachers there, and although my behavior often left much to be desired, perhaps because of my talent I was always forgiven.
The achievements I attained there encouraged me to continue my studies as a vocal performance major. At that time, it was considered quite a bold step, since no one before me had attempted it, but after long, deep, and persistent preparation, I was eventually admitted with a scholarship to the Romanian-language University of Oradea Faculty of Music.
So after high school — where my teacher, Melinda Mihály, with her great heart made me fall in love with classical music — my education continued in Oradea under a highly trained and truly dedicated vocal teacher, Marian Boboia. His work proved so successful that after my very first audition, the Hungarian State Opera welcomed me with open arms.
And from that moment on, people said that I had become an opera singer…
Musicum Laude, the largest vocal performance event aimed at young performer artists in the Carpathian Basin launches its 2024 edition with the chairmanship of maestro Ioan Holender, former Director of the Vienna State Opera and still worldwide renown and active as Artistic consultant.
The event takes place in Oradea, a city distinguished by its colorful cultural heritage. This is the hometown of the world-renowned soprano, Júlia Váradi (b. 1941). This city is also linked to famous composers such as Béla Bartók and George Enescu.
Oradea is the university city where the bel canto teaching technique brought big names to the stages of the opera world: Alexandru Badea, Boloș Marius, Cosmin Ifrim, Florin Estefan, Kele Brigita, Kutasi Judit, Molnár Levente, Gergely Németi, and Gabriela Varvari.
The Musicum Laude – Junior Competition, a prestigious singing competition and masterclass for young singers, will be held for the first time in 2025 in Oradea. The Musicum Laude international singing competition debuted in 2021, followed by a successful continuation in 2024. After this success, we envisioned organizing the event annually for the Junior category to bring together talented young singers and outstanding figures from the music industry year after year.
Further details about this year’s Musicum Laude – Junior Competition will be announced soon, but the in-person phase will take place from June 30 to July 6, 2025.
“Art is an ever-changing, spontaneous moment” Pure soul, pure voice. This parallel reminded me of singer Csilla Kovács, the winner of the Musicum Laude bel canto cours
Andrea Rost was honored with the Bartók-Pászthory award In 2021, the Bartók-Pászthory Award Board of Trustees presented the Bartók-Pászthory Award to opera singer Andrea Rost
Free bel canto master class and singing competition with recognized teachers. Under the title Musicum Laude, Coopera is launching a bel canto master class for young, beginning oper
Main supporters 2026:
Professional partners
