The Light of Voice
Maria Callas International Vocal Competition - 2025
Introduction
In tribute to two of the twentieth century’s most visionary souls—Pier Paolo Pasolini and Maria Callas—The Light of Voice is born as an international stage for the new generation of vocal artists.
This competition invites singers from around the world to transcend stylistic and technical boundaries, honoring the spirit of artistic freedom, emotional depth, and poetic power that defined Pasolini and Callas.
Here, the voice becomes not only music, but light—an awakening of soul and imagination.
Competition Outline
Mission
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To cultivate bold, authentic, and visionary vocal artists.
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To celebrate the intersection of tradition, innovation, and personal expression.
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To create new opportunities for young singers to connect with international audiences and future interdisciplinary projects.
Eligibility
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Open to all singers, without restriction on age, nationality, vocal technique, or musical style.
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Participants may be students, emerging artists, or independent singers from conservatories, universities, or professional backgrounds.
Competition Format
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Online Competition: All rounds will be conducted online via video submissions.
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Registration Deadline: July 27-2025
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Award Release Date & Online Result Release : August 4-2025
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Music Festival : August 24-2025
Category
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Art Song (Canto da camera) Includes German Lieder, French Mélodies, Italian, English, and other art songs. Emphasizes language interpretation and chamber music collaboration.
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Opera Arias and Scenes (Arie d’opera) Includes arias, duets, and ensemble scenes. Focuses on vocal technique and dramatic expression.
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Cantatas and Sacred Music (Cantate e Musica Sacra) Suitable for performing Baroque cantatas, solo excerpts, sacred arias, and oratorio pieces.
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Contemporary Vocal Music (Musica vocale contemporanea) Includes works from the 20th century onwards, covering avant-garde, minimalism, and cross-genre compositions.
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Traditional and Folk Songs (Canti tradizionali e folkloristici) Includes national folk songs, traditional tunes, and songs in regional or minority languages, showcasing cultural and ethnic diversity.
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Baroque Vocal Music (Canto barocco) Focuses on vocal works from the Baroque era, including arias, recitatives, and ensemble pieces typical of the period.
Jury
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Composed of professors from Florence and Rome’s leading music academies, alongside distinguished Italy-based musicians.
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Jurors will remain unnamed publicly to maintain the integrity and focus of the competition.
Evaluation Criteria
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Authenticity and individuality of expression
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Emotional and dramatic depth
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Vocal mastery and artistic risk
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Stage presence and interpretive imagination
Prizes
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First Prize The Light of Voice Award – Performance at XR Festival Florence 2025 + Online promotion
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Second Prize The Visionary Voice Award – Masterclasses with international professionals + Online promotion
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Third Prize The Rising Muse Award – Special Mention by the Jury + Online promotion
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Special Awards for originality, dramatic sensibility, or vocal innovation
Philosophy
The Light of Voice is not merely a competition—
It is an act of artistic defiance.
A luminous call to those who sing beyond style, beyond safety, beyond silence.
“To be truly modern is to be profoundly ancient.”
— Pier Paolo Pasolini
In this space, the voice is rebellion and revelation.
Like Pasolini’s uncompromising vision, it dares to disturb, to question, to unveil.
Like Callas’ haunting intensity, it lives at the threshold between pain and beauty, precision and abandon.
We do not seek perfection—we seek presence.
A voice that does not perform, but confesses.
That does not impress, but moves.
That ignites thought as much as sound.
This is a stage for those who carry within them a fire.
A fire shaped by tradition, yet never tamed by it.
Here, the ancient soul meets the modern cry.
To sing is to awaken.
To shed the ornamental and embrace the essential.
To let the voice become what it was always meant to be:
not just melody,
but light.