The International Vocal Competition 's-Hertogenbosch (IVC); is a music competition for classical singing founded in 1954. It is the only classical vocal competition in the Netherlands that also focuses on opera, oratorio and Lied.
This yearly event is organised by the International Vocal Competition 's-Hertogenbosch (IVC). The IVC is a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions since 1959. The IVC offers singers the chance to perform for casting directors, concert managements, impresarios, the media and a concert and theatregoing audience.
Alongside its competition, the IVC also presents master classes, workshops, summer schools and concerts. Concerts are organised in collaboration with various organisations. The IVC also provides advice on repertoire, career possibilities, media management and auditioning.
The IVC has helped launch the careers of many internationally renowned singers (see List of notable IVC alumni). Annett Andriesen, herself an opera singer and a prizewinner of the IVC in 1975, was head of the IVC from 2008 until 2018. She has since been replaced by Ivan van Kalmthout. From 1 September 2023, British countertenor Andrew Watts has been appointed General and artistic director of the IVC.
The IVC is open to singers of all nationalities who have had conservatory training or have reached an equivalent level. The competition has two categories: Opera/oratorio and Lied Duo.
List of notable IVC alumni +YearEdition1st Prize2nd Prize19541Annette de la Bije, Aukje Karsemeyer, Hans Wilbrink, Frans MeulemansHenriëtte Willems, Tim Jacobs19552Eva Bornemann, Jean CapiauxArjan Blanken, Willem van der Sluys, Haasteren van Albert19563Elly Ameling, Adna Graham, Halina Lukomska, Ladeslav MrazGeorge David Galliver, Günther Wilhelms19574Maria van DongenValerie Cardnell, Ranken Bushby, Derek Stroud19585Elisabeth Simon, Ranken BushbyHalina Slonicka, Maria Antonietta Sighele, Aurelio Estanisko, Bernard Kruysen 19596Arthur Loosli, Zofia Janukowicz, Mariëtte DierckxMaya Breier, Lia Rottier, Juliana Falk, Djurdjevka Cakarevic, Harold Gray19607Karoly Schmidt, Lisé Arséquet, Irene Mierzwiak, John WakefieldSigurdur Björnsson, Bert Olsson19618Thomas Carey, Yvonne Minton, Alfons BarthaOlga Maddalena, Karin Oster, Margaret Duckworth, Kenneth John Bowen, Hendrik Smit, John Wiles19629Jules Bastin, Zofia Anna WilmaJulijana Anastasijevic, Frederick Gersten, Richard Novák196310Dan Iordachescu, Margaret DuckworthRina Cornelissens, Eva Debrowska, Lucienne van Deyck, Jean Jacques Schreurs, Antoni Dutkiewicz, Peter Leeming196411Janka Békas, Borena Kinas-MikolajczakMarie Hayward, Anne Malewicz-Madey, Geoffrey Shovelton, Patrick Costeloe196512Viorica Cortez, Ileana Cotrubaș, Siegmund NimsgernFaith Pulston Jones, Pompeiu Harasteanu196613Marina Krilovici, Ludovic SpiessAna Maria Miranda, Norma Lerer, Marco Bakker 196714Louis Williams, Stefanka PopangelovaSally Le Sage, Heljä Angervo, Nigel Wickens, Josef Loibl196815Hans-George Dahmen, Csilla ZentaiAngela Beale, Wendy Eathorne, Ria Bollen, Oriel Sutherland, Ilie Baciu196916Maria Slatinaru, Else Paaske, Walker WyattLeslie Johnson, Karl Markus, Hubert Waber, Maurice Brown
Elly Ameling Jules Bastin Measha Brueggergosman Ileana Cotrubaș Viorica Cortez Veronica Amarres Peter Gijsbertsen Robert Holl Thomas Hampson Howard Haskin Nadine Koutcher Petra Lang Yvonne Minton Nelly Miricioiu Jard van Nes Yevgeny Nesterenko Vladimir Pankratov Lenneke Ruiten Wolfgang Schöne Elżbieta Szmytka Thomas Thomaschke Stefania Toczyska Pretty Yende Ruth Ziesak Hansung Yoo (2008 Winner)
58th International Vocal Competition 's-Hertogenbosch 2025 - Theatre in Song
The 58th International Vocal Competition Theater in Song will be held from 25 - 28 September at Theater aan de Parade in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.
The IVC offers young and talented singers the chance to perform for an international jury, casting directors, concert managements, impresarios, the media and public. The total prize money of the Theatre in Song competition amounts to €32.500. For more information about criteria, applications and Preliminary Rounds see www.ivc.nu
The International Jury of 2025 includes Iain Burnside Jury President, BBC Radio 3 programme maker, soprano Yvonne Kenny, bass Robert Holl, conductor, musicologist and artistic director of Musica Viva Australia Paul Kildea, Anita Crowe, programming Royal Concertgebouw, director Simon Burney and Andrew Comben, chief executive officer at Britten Pears Arts.
External links Official site