Gütersloh, April 13, 2026. Interest in the Liz Mohn Foundation’s NEUE STIMMEN International Singing Competition remains as high as ever in its 21st edition: A total of 1,126 emerging singers from 69 countries have registered for the competition. Following an initial digital pre-selection based on video submissions, 467 talented singers have been invited to the second round, the so-called Live Auditions. In these auditions, the selected singers will personally present themselves to the jury in twelve international music metropolises until 10 June 2026. The series kicks off in Amsterdam and concludes in Berlin. In addition to established locations, Houston, in Texas, USA, is a new addition to the list of selection venues this year.
“The high number of applications and the international diversity underscore the global significance and appeal of NEUE STIMMEN. I am very much looking forward to meeting exceptional talents from all over the world again this year and accompanying them on their journey,” says Liz Mohn, founder of the Liz Mohn Foundation and initiator of NEUE STIMMEN.
Continuity and new momentum in the work of the international jury
The 2026 Live Auditions will be led by four jury members who will oversee all three rounds of the competition: Evamaria Wieser (Casting Director of the Salzburg Festival), Sophie Joyce (Casting Director of the Opéra national de Paris), Samuel Gelber (Director of Artistic Planning at the Washington National Opera), and Christoph Seuferle (Opera Director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin). They were already responsible for reviewing the video applications in the digital preliminary round and also ensure continuity and the highest professional standards in the selection process during the final round in October.
During the preliminary rounds, they will be joined by additional jury members: Bernd Loebe (General Director of Frankfurt Opera) and Xenia Hofmann (Artistic Director of the Zurich Opera House) will support the jury on site. Together, they will select approximately 40 talents who will qualify for the final round.
In addition, the competition specifically invites international experts from the opera industry to attend the Live Auditions as observers. For the participating singers, this means additional visibility as well as the opportunity to establish valuable contacts early on and to expand their professional network in the long term.
Final in Gütersloh, under the chairmanship of Alexander Neef
The competition’s final round will take place in Gütersloh from October 5 to 9, 2026. This year, for the first time, Alexander Neef, Artistic Director of the Opéra national de Paris, will chair the jury. With him, the jury gains an internationally renowned and influential figure who has known and supported the competition for many years. Alexander Neef brings a clear artistic vision to the table and, together with Liz Mohn, founder of NEUE STIMMEN, is dedicated to further strengthening the long-term support of young talents – especially at a time of profound changes in the opera and cultural landscape.
The jury for the 2026 final round includes three opera experts from the younger generation: Samuel Gelber, Xenia Hofmann, and Boris Ignatov (Casting Director of the Stuttgart State Opera). Together with long-standing figures such as Bernd Loebe, Evamaria Wieser, Elisabeth Sobotka (General Director of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin), and Sophie de Lint (Director of Dutch National Opera in Amsterdam), the panel represents a diverse, internationally connected, and future-oriented perspective on the nurturing of young opera talent.
A stepping stone for young opera talents
Experience has shown that participating in NEUE STIMMEN opens up far-reaching career prospects for singers: numerous former finalists and prize winners have established themselves on national and international stages in the years following the competition. The combination of competition, networking, and long-term support makes NEUE STIMMEN one of the most important platforms for emerging opera talent worldwide.
