Operalia, the global opera competition, to be held in India for the first time

Operalia comes to Mumbai

Come September, and Mumbai will get to hear some really talented tenors and sopranos from across the world. In a week-long affair, the final round of the renowned Operalia competition will be held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA). Founded by legendary tenor Placido Domingo in 1993, the event has played a special role in the world of opera, with winners getting prestigious offers. 

“It’s the first time that Operalia is being held not only in India, but also in south Asia,” says NCPA chairman Khushroo N. Suntook. Adds Placido, who will also preside over the jury, “I first performed in India at a concert conducted by my friend Zubin Mehta in 2009, to mark his father Mehli Mehta’s centennial. I look forward to reuniting with the Indian public.” 

To be held from September 15 to 21, the competition invites participation from singers between the ages of 20 and 32, covering all voice types. Out of hundreds of applicants, the auditions of the leading 30 or 40 singers are shortlisted. According to maestro Placido’s son Alvaro, who is also Operalia vice-president, “The pre-judges look at qualities such as technique and musicality. The judges in the final round consider various intricacies to choose the best singer. We do not have separate categories for men and women, as the idea is to choose the most promising voice. It’s a process that has worked.” 

Though opera has a limited following in India, and is focused around the metros, the news of hosting Operalia has been welcomed. Says Mumbai-bred British soprano Patricia Rozario, “It is a prestigious competition and the NCPA has been the place for music-making. Our audiences and musicians will have a chance to hear the high levels of performance that exist all over the world.” 

The opera circuit can involve full-fledged operas, or events involving operatic singing. Among staged performances, the tendency in India is to have more comic operas than serious ones, as they are easier to understand. Though the overall audience is limited, shows have drawn full houses. As opera fan Cawas Engineer says, “Many people come to such shows to be seen, and look at them as a social outing. But some end up taking more interest in the genre.”

Asad Lalljee, curator of Royal Opera House, Mumbai, who passed away recently, felt that though people are exposed to more global cultures, opera is essentially a foreign concept, involving a foreign language. So when choosing productions, it has to be made sure that they are accessible to the audience.” 

According to Patricia, selecting the right opera makes a huge difference. “We did an Italian opera, Domenico Cimarosa’s The Secret Marriage, at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai. I knew the story was perfect for India because it was a comedy about various types of marriages. Our four shows were sold out. The singers sang in Italian, and the audience loved the comedy and the music.”