Application procedure

The ４th Giuditta Pasta Memorial 

Kumamoto Reconstruction International Opera Competition

Application procedure

1. Application eligibility

1. Contestants of any nationality may apply.

2. Contestants must be 20 or older as of October 31, 2025, all voice types may apply.

3. Contestants with vocal music trainings are encouraged to apply, though contestants with any education background, performance history or affiliations are eligible.

4. Winner of past Giuditta Pasta Memorial Competition (2022) may not apply.

5. Finalists of the 1st Giuditta Pasta Memorial Competitions, or finalists from any of the competitions below within the past 5 years (April 2020 or later) may choose to be exempted from the 1st round and advance directly to the 2nd round if desired.
   <The Music Competition of Japan, Japan-Italy Vocal Competition, Takarazuka Vega Music Competition, Tokyo Music Competition>
   * Please indicate on the application form if the contestant wishes to be exempted from the 1st round.

2. Application period

Aug. 20, 2025 (Wed.) ~ Sept. 15, 2025 (Mon.)

3. Application procedure

Please fill out the designated application form, and send all of the requested documents below by mail to the following mailing address:
Japan-Italy International Cultural Exchange Association, ASCI competition organizing committee
572-1 Hetami, Kamimashiki district, Mifune, Kumamoto, JAPAN 861-3206

　※ Applicants outside of Japan may send the application forms as PDF files by email
　　<office@ascicon.com>

1. Application form (please use the designated template):
   - Music portfolio (performance & competition history, mentors etc.)
   - Photo of the applicant (5 cm x 6 cm, monochrome or color, taken within the past 3 years)
   *Application form may be downloaded from the competition website.

2. Copy of document that verifies the contestant’s date of birth (passport, driver’s license, healthcare insurance, etc.)

3. Registration fee ¥25,000.
   Please make the transfer to the account in D) under the contestant’s name (handling fees may apply)
   Please be aware that once paid, the registration fee cannot be refunded under any circumstances, including withdrawal from the competition.

4. Transfer account: Higo Bank, Mifune Branch, 1546477, Nichii Kokusai Bunka Kouryu Kyoukai 

4. Adjudication dates and venues

1. Adjudications are divided into the 1st round, the 2nd round and the final round.
   *[1-5] schedules of the 2nd round will be announced after the 1st round is finished for contestants who wish to be exempted from the 1st round.

2. Adjudication dates and venues are listed below. All adjudications are open to the public.

Preliminary dress rehearsal   Oct. 27, 2025 (Mon.)        Mifune Culture Center Hall

1st round.    　　　　　　　　Oct. 28, 2025 (Tue.)         Mifune Culture Center Hall

2nd round    　　　　　　　　 Oct. 29, 2025 (Wed.)       Mifune Culture Center Hall

Final dress rehearsal   　　　Oct. 30, 2025 (Thu.)         Mifune Culture Center Hall

Final round concert, award ceremony   Oct. 31, 2025 (Fri.)   Kumamoto Prefectural Theater, Concert Hall

5. Pieces to be judged

1st round: one aria of choice from any opera (within 8 minutes)

2nd round: one aria of choice from an Italian opera (within 8 minutes)
*Composer must be Italian, must not repeat the same piece performed in the 1st round.

Final round: one opera aria (within 10 minutes)

*Contestant will submit two arias of choice (at least one must be written by an Italian composer). Adjudicators will appoint one of the two pieces to be performed for the final round after the 2nd round is finished. Must not repeat the same pieces performed in the 1st and 2nd rounds.

• Pieces must be performed in their original languages with lyrics memorized, and in their original keys in principle (transpositions commonly done among performers for specific pieces are acceptable).

• Contestants should state the 4 pieces to be performed for the 1st, 2nd and final rounds in the application form.

• Pieces may be shortened where appropriate to ensure they can be finished with the given time limits.

• Pieces must be approved by the adjudicators beforehand. If a piece is deemed not suitable, the contestant will be contacted by the organizing committee within 10 days after receiving the application to request for a resubmission.

• Performances that exceed the given time limits may result in penalties.

6. Results announcements

1. 1st round: results will be posted at the venue after adjudication on Oct. 28 (Tue.) (Results will also be available on the competition homepage)

2. 2nd round: results will be posted at the venue after adjudication on Oct. 29(Wed.) (Results will also be available on the competition homepage)

3. Final round: award ceremony will start on stage after adjudication on Oct. 31 (Fri.)

7. Prizes and awards

1. 1st ~ 3rd place winners will be announced, all other contestants who advanced to the final round are considered finalists.

2. Award recipient placements may be vacant if no contestants are deemed qualified.

3. 1st place: certificate of merit, trophy,prize ¥700,000
   *Eligibility to compete in the international sister competition in Saronno,Italy.
   *Include travel support of merit,triphy,prize ¥200,000
   2nd place: certificate of merit, trophy, prize ¥300,000
   3rd place: certificate of merit, trophy,prize ¥100,000
   Finalists: certificate of merit, trophy,prize ¥20,000 (all finalists from 4th place and below qualify)
   Special awards:
   a) Giuditta Pasta Memorial Opera Special Award
   b) Outstanding Young Vocalist Award
   c) Enterprise Special Award
   d) Kumamoto Future Award
   * Finalists are eligible to be recommended and approved by adjudicators to compete in the international sister competition (semi-final) in Saronno, Italy.

8. Piano accompanists

1. All pieces to be adjudicated must be accompanied by piano, contestants may bring their own accompanists of choice.

2. If accompanists are not available, contestants may request for an official accompanist provided by the organizing committee. Contestants may not appoint specific accompanists.
   * An accompanist fee of ¥15,000 will be charged per official accompanist request, please pay the accompanist fee together with the registration fee when applying.
   * Please send copies of the accompany piano scores (2 for the 1st and 2nd rounds, 2 for the final round), with notations of cuts and other modifications where applicable, by mail to the organization committee (only when official accompanists are requested).
   * Attendance to the dress rehearsal with the accompanist at the designated time on Oct. 27 (Mon.) is mandatory (organizing committee will contact contestants who wish to be exempted from 1st round, and have requested official accompanists, after the 1st roundon Oct.28)
   * Please be aware that once paid, the accompanist fee cannot be refunded under any circumstances, including withdrawal from the competition.

9. Travel and accommodation

1. Contestants are responsible for all associated costs including travel, accommodation and the accompanists’ honoraria, etc.

2. Financial aids will be provided to finalists for the accommodation starting from the end of the 2nd round to the end of the final round for up to ¥5,000 per night, provided that they stay in the designated hotel. Discounts will be available when using the designated taxi service to travel to the venue.
   * Designated hotel: The Legato Inn MIFUNE (Tel: 096-202-7708)
   Contestants are advised to make accommodation reservations early to avoid disappointments

10. Adjudicators

DEGUCHI Masako (Japan, head adjudicator): councilor, Japan-Italy Music Association; soprano opera singer.

Maurizio MORETTA (Italy): art director, Giuditta Pasta Memorial International Opera Competition; art   director, Festival Como Città della Musica; art director, Festival Varenna.

Sangmu CHOI (Korea): Director, Andong Culture & Art Center; performance arts director (former), Daegu Opera House; baritone opera singer.

HAYASHI Yasuko (Japan): Chairwoman, Italo-Giappone Music Association; soprano opera singer.

ICHIHARA Taro (Japan):  head adjudicator, Japan-Italy Vocal Competition; tenor opera singer.

ONAGA Tsuyoshi (Japan): professor emeritus, Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts; baritone opera singer.

HORIUCHI Yasuo (Japan): professor Musashino Academia Muicae; member Fujiwara Opera;baritone opera singer.

SAKUMA Shinichi (Japan): representative, Kumamoto City Opera Association; member, Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation; bass opera singer.

* Official accompanists:

YAGI Tomoko: pianist, Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation; lecturer, Tokyo College of Music.

     SHIBATA Yoko: Giuditta Pasta Memorial Kumamoto Reconstruction International Opera Competition official 

     accompanist.;lecturer, Japan Lutheran College.