Application procedure

5th Giuditta Pasta Kumamoto International Opera Competition

Application procedure

1. Application eligibility

1. Contestants of any nationality may apply.

2. Contestants must be 20 or older as of November 1, 2026, 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. Previous winners of this competition are ineligible to enter.

5. Finalists of the past Giuditta Pasta Kumamoto International Opera Singer Competitions, or finalists from any of the competitions below within the past 5 years (April 2021 or later) may choose to be exempted from the 1st preliminary round and advance directly to the semi-Final if desired.
   <The Music Competition of Japan, Japan-Italy Vocal Competition, Takarazuka Vega Music Competition, Tokyo Music Competition>
   * Please indicate it on the application form if the contestant wishes to be exempted from the 1st round.

2. Application period

From August 25(Tue) to September 15(Tue),2026

3. Application procedure《The personal information provided will be used solely for this contest. 》

     Please fill out the designated application form, gather all the required documents listed below, and send them via email to the secretariat address: < office@ascicon.com >. 

     *Applicants residing outside Japan should submit the application form as a PDF file via email.

      Application Form (please use the designated template):

     - Musical background (performance and competition history, teachers/mentors, etc.)

     - Applicant's photograph (5cm x 6cm; black-and-white or color; taken within the last 3 years)

     *The application form can be downloaded from the competition website.

     Copy of a document verifying the date of birth (passport, driver's license, health insurance card, etc.)

     Participation Fee: 25,000 JPY

     Please transfer the fee to the account listed in section D) under the participant's name (please bear any transfer fees).

Please note that, the participation fee is non-refundable for any reason, including withdrawal from the competition.

Transfer Account: Higo Bank, Mifune Branch, Ordinary Account 1546477, Japan-Italy International Cultural Exchange Association

*Please refer to　section［8］if you wish to request an official accompanist.

4. Adjudication dates and venues

1. Adjudications are divided into the 1st preliminary round, the semi-Final and the final round.
   section [1-5] schedules of the semi-Final will be announced after the 1st preliminary 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.

　　Piano accompaniment rehearsal: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 – Mifune Culture Center Hall

　　The 1st preliminary round: Thursday, October 29, 2026 – Mifune Culture Center Hall

　　The semi-Final : Friday, October 30, 2026 – Mifune Culture Center Hall

　　The Final round piano accompaniment rehearsal: Saturday, October 31, 2026 – Mifune Culture Center Hall

　　The Final round concert and awards ceremony: Sunday, November 1, 2026 – Sears Home Yume Hall (Main   

        Hall), Civic Center

5. Pieces to be judged

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

The semi-Final : one aria of choice from any Italian opera (within 8 minutes)
*Composer must be Italian, must not repeat the same piece performed in the 1st preliminary round.

Final round: one opera aria (within 10 minutes)

*Contestant must 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

The 1st preliminary round : Results will be posted at the venue following the conclusion of the judge on Thursday, October 29 (also available on the official competition website).

The semi-Final : Results will be posted at the venue following the conclusion of the judge on Friday, October 30 (also available on the official competition website).

The Final Round : The awards ceremony will be held on stage following the conclusion of the judge on Sunday, November 1.

7. Prizes and awards

 　Winners ranked 1st through 3rd will be announced. Other finalists will be designated simply as "Finalists."

　  If the judges determine there is no suitable candidate, specific prize rankings may be left vacant.

     1st Place: Certificate, trophy, and a cash prize of 500,000 JPY

         ◆ Entitlement to participate in the final round of the sister international competition held in Saronno, Italy (Two nights' accommodation at Starhotels Grand Milan—the night before and the night of the final).

　　  ◆The entry fee for the sister international competition held in Saronno, Italy, is waived.

         ※ Includes a travel subsidy for the sister international competition in Saronno, Italy.
      2nd place: certificate of merit, trophy, prize 300,000  JPY
      3rd place: certificate of merit, trophy,prize 100,000  JPY
      Finalists: certificate of merit, trophy(all finalists from 4th place and below qualify)
      Special awards:
        a) Giuditta Pasta Opera Special Award

         ◆ Grants the entitlement to participate in the semi-finals of the sister international competition held in Saronno, Italy (One night's accommodation at Starhotels Grand Milan on the night before the semi-finals)

　　  ◆The entry fee for the sister international competition held in Saronno, Italy, is waived.
        b) Outstanding Young Vocalist Award
        c) Kumamoto Future Award

　　 ◆ Finalists who wish to do so may be awarded the entitlement to participate in the semi-finals of the sister international competition held in Saronno, Italy, based on the recommendation of the judges.     

　　 ◆Finalists may also be invited to perform in opera productions hosted by the Kumamoto City Opera Association.

8. Piano accompanists

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

2. ◆ If you wish to use the competition's official accompanist, an accompaniment fee of 15,000 JPY is required.

　　Please submit this fee along with the participation fee. You cannot select a specific accompanist.

   ◆ Please bind the piano accompaniment scores (two pieces for the preliminary round and two for the final round)—paying   

        attention to any cuts or omissions—and mail them when submitting your application.

       *Mailing is not required if you are bringing your own accompanist. *Applicants residing outside Japan should submit the  

        scores as PDF attachments.

        ◆ If using the official accompanist, you must attend the scheduled rehearsal session on Wednesday, October 28 (the day 

             before the preliminary round).

            *For participants exempt from the first preliminary round, the secretariat will contact you regarding the rehearsal schedule 

             (to be held after the first preliminary round concludes on October 29).

        ◆ Please note that the accompaniment fee is non-refundable for any reason, 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 semi-Final to the end of the final round for up to ¥5,000 per night, provided that they stay in the designated hotel.
   * 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.

Cheul CHOI (Korea): Arts Director, Gwangju City Opera

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

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

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

* Official accompanists:

YAGI Tomoko: Giuditta Pasta Kumamoto International Opera Competition official Pianist

　　　　　　　  Pianist, Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation

SHIBATA Yoko: Giuditta Pasta Kumamoto International Opera Competition official Pianist

OTSUKA Eri: Giuditta Pasta Kumamoto International Opera Competition official Pianist