International Opera Competition
“Jole De Maria”

11th Edition

May 2-3-4, 2025 – Tivoli (Rome, Italy)

International Opera Competition dedicated to mezzo-soprano Jole De Maria in support of Cancer Research

· APPLICATIONS OPEN UNTIL APRIL 25 ·

APPLY NOW

From the heart of Tivoli, near the city of Rome, the competition established in honor of the great mezzo-soprano Jole De Maria celebrates the most promising opera voices each year, offering them a stage to shine and captivate the audience.

· Competition Phases ·

Preliminary Rounds
· May 2, 2025 ·

City Museum of Tivoli (Rome)
Piazza Campitelli

Semifinal Round
· May 3, 2025 ·

City Museum of Tivoli (Rome)
Piazza Campitelli

Finalists’ Gala
· May 4, 2025 ·

Scuderie Estensi of Tivoli (Rome)
Piazza Garibaldi

Winners of the 1st prize in an International Opera Competition in the last 3 years will directly access the Semifinal.

· Prizes ·

1st prize: €2500.00

+ Opera recital

2nd prize: €1000.00

+ Opera recital

3rd prize: €500.00

+ Opera recital

For selected finalists:

  • Auditions for upcoming Italian and international productions

  • Referral to the opera agency AC-artist.com – Artist Management

SPECIAL PRIZE “Roberto Sèrvile”

Best male voice (born after May 2, 1995): € 800.00

Best female voice (born after May 2, 1995): € 800.00

If no suitable voices are identified, the amounts will be donated to A.I.R.C. (Italian Association for Cancer Research).

SPECIAL PRIZE “Mario del Monaco”

To celebrate the 110th anniversary of Mario del Monaco’s birth and the 75th anniversary of his debut as Otello, the International Academic Association for Advanced Vocal and Artistic Training Mario del Monaco establishes and offers a prize in honor of the great tenor.

€ 1,000.00 to be donated to A.I.R.C. (Italian Foundation for Cancer Research)

€ 1,000.00 to be awarded to a candidate

Certificates of Merit

· Winner of the Audience Award

· Best Conservatory for bringing the highest number of finalists (minimum two)

· Special Conditions for the First 30 Applicants ·

The first 30 applicants who register by April 23, 2025, will be hosted for free by the competition at B&B Il Giardino di Tivoli, a prestigious Liberty-style palace, in shared rooms for as long as they remain in the competition.

  • The first 30 participants in the Preliminary Rounds will receive accommodation for the night of May 1, 2025.
  • Those admitted to the Semifinal will receive accommodation for the night of May 2, 2025.
  • Those admitted to the Final will receive accommodation for the night of May 3, 2025.

· Jury 2025 ·

Roberto Sèrvile, President – Baritone
Maurilio Manca, Artistic Director of the Opera Season – Teatro di Tradizione of the Province of Lecce
Daniele Giulio Moles, Conductor, Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory of Milan
Rebekah Rota, Director of Wuppertal Opera in Germany
Michele Souzzo, Music critic, music history teacher
Irene Bottaro, Mezzo-soprano – Artistic Director of the Jole De Maria International Opera Competition – G.Gp. da Palestrina Conservatory of Cagliari

· Competition Program ·

5 arias from the Italian or foreign opera repertoire

performed in their original language and key, memorized, complete (where applicable) with recitative and cabaletta, appropriate to the vocal range for which they were written.

Preliminary Rounds:
• One aria of the candidate’s choice from the registration form
• One aria chosen by the Jury from the registration form

Semifinal Round:
• One or more arias chosen by the Jury from the registration form

Final Round:
• One aria chosen by the Jury from the registration form.