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Voices of the Future: The International Lyric Competition Final in Palermo

23 Oct 2025

Just a few hours away from the bustle of the Catania Fringe, we found ourselves climbing the grand steps of the Teatro Massimo, in Palermo; the very steps immortalised in The Godfather Part III. It’s a fittingly cinematic setting for the final of the International Lyric Competition, where young opera singers from across the world come to test their voices against the best.

an evening of world-class performance

The competition, open to anyone aged 33 or under, is one of the most prestigious of its kind. Twelve finalists, from Italy, Bolivia, Ukraine, Russia, China and Korea among other, each took to the stage with a single aria, accompanied only by piano. No elaborate sets, no costumes, just voice and instrument. It’s a pure, unfiltered kind of performance and, in the gilded grandeur of the Teatro Massimo, it felt electric.

For those who think opera is a closed world, last night proved otherwise. Tickets were a mere €10, yet the standard was dazzling. The intimacy of the one singer one song format, made it easy to appreciate the individuality of each voice. Between arias, there was the satisfying whisper of comparisons: who had the better phrasing, the surer breath, the more commanding stage presence?

The evening also featured a guest appearance from last year’s winner, Hwan Sung Damien Park, who returned to perform two arias, including a rousing rendition of Largo al factotum that brought the house down. It was a reminder of the competition’s purpose: to find and nurture stars in the making.

Judging came in three forms: the official technical jury (composed of opera directors from major European houses), the critics’ jury (which included leading figures from the music press), and, crucially, the audience vote. This final element gave the night a lively, democratic edge. Debates broke out in the aisles and continued down the grand staircase, with everyone from seasoned opera lovers to first-time attendees offering their views.

When the results were announced, there was a satisfying symmetry to them. Italian soprano Jessica Ricci claimed the Critics’ Choice, while the Audience Prize and, ultimately, the grand Ottavio Ziino Cup with its €10,000 award. went to the youngest competitor in the field: 21-year-old Russian soprano Sofia Sakaniia. Her voice, bright and effortless, had won both hearts and ears.

As the final applause echoed beneath the theatre’s dome, we spilled out into the Palermo night, conversations still flowing as freely as the Aperol spritzes. It’s hard to imagine a better introduction to opera; an evening of world-class performance, international camaraderie and genuine accessibility.

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