International Nehama Lifshitz Vocal Competition
About the competition
Nehama Lifshitz (1927 – 2017) was a world-renowned Yiddish singer, often called “the Jewish Nightingale”, whose professional career as a singer started in Lithuania – in Kaunas and Vilnius. She became highly popular and famous throughout the former Soviet Union and on tours in the West.
The aim of the competition
To popularize Jewish music, to seek out its most talented performers and composers and to continue cooperating with them. We aim at helping creative young people in this field to realize their potential and to communicate with peers the world over.
Competition program
September 26 – competition
Group A and B competition – Vilnius Sholom Aleichem ORT Gymnasium, J.I.Kraševskio str. 5, Vilnius
Group C competition – Lithuanian Jewish (Litvak) community, Jaša Heifetz hall, Pylimo str. 4, Vilnius
September 27 – Closing of the competition and the Concert of the winners – Vilnius Gaon Museum of Jewish History, Naugarduko str. 10, Vilnius.
The rehearsal schedule will be announced before the competition.
Participants
Singers-soloists from the age of 7 to 20 can participate in the competition.
Participants are divided into 3 age groups:
– Group A 7-10 years old.
– Group B 11-15 years old.
– Group C 16-20 years old.
Repertoire
Participants in groups A and B perform 2 songs: the first song is a Jewish song or song by a Jewish composer. The second is representative of the participant’s country. The total duration of both songs is no more than: 8 minutes in group A and 10 minutes in group B.
Participants of group C perform 3 songs: the first song is a Jewish song or song by a Jewish composer. The second is representative of the participant’s country. The third is a work of free choice.
The total duration of all 3 songs is no more than 15 minutes.
Participants can find Jewish songs here
Participants are welcome to choose songs from other sources too.
Language
Participants can perform songs in all languages.
The Jury awards an additional 5 points for performing the song in Yiddish.
Performance of songs
The performance of the songs is acoustic, performed live without sound amplification and without electronic musical instruments.
Soloist can be accompanied only by one acoustic musical instrument: piano, guitar, accordion or others. He/she is free to use any musical instrument.
One song can be performed a cappella – without accompaniment.
Soloist can participate with his/her accompanist or ask the organizer for concertmaster free of charge for one rehearsal and participation in the competition. The cost of the additional rehearsal – 25 €.
The order of the participant’s songs depends on a choice of the participant.
The order of the performance of the contestants (in each age group) is arranged by alphabetical order.
The Jury reserves the right to change the order of performances during the competition.
Microphones will be used for recordings in order to obtain better recording quality for the webcast.
The concert of the winners will be broadcasted online on YouTube and Facebook platforms.
Application and registration
The Registration form can be filled in online or downloaded from here
Participants who have arrived at the competition must sign the Registration form for participation in the competition and present an identity document. The Registration form for a group A and B participant must be signed by one of the participant’s parents or guardians.
Within two weeks of receipt of the applications, the organizing committee will inform each participant of its registration for the competition.The registration fee is EUR 30 for Group A and B participants and EUR 50 for Group C participants.There is no refund for those who do not enter the competition.
Jury
The Jury consists of classical, Jewish and popular music specialists:
Chairman Vladimiras Prudnikovas, opera soloist, music teacher, professor.
Vladimiras Prudnikovas has achieved the international recognition while singing in many worldwide famous theatre and concert halls: Paris Theatre des Champs Elysees, New York City Opera, Italy, Japan, Malta, Greece, Germany, Holland, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Czech Republik, Slovakia, etc. He has sung together with famous Lithuanian and foreign conductors, such as: Iehudi Menuhin, Justus Frantz, Cyril Diederich, Vladimir Spivakov, Dmitry Kitayenko, Vladimir Fedoseyev, Jonas Aleksa, Saulius Sondeckis, Juozas Domarkas, Gintaras Rinkevicius and others.
He has sung the most important parts in opera productions of Ch.Gounod (Faust), G.Verdi (Rigoletto, Don Carlos, Otello, Nabucco, Macbeth, Aida, Simon Boccanegra), W.A.Mozart (Don Giovanni, Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail), G.Rossini (Il Barbiere di Seviglia, Sigismondo), R.Wagner (Tanhauser, Der fliegende Hollander), M.Musorgskij (Boris Godunov, Chovanscina) and many others.
More here
Rolandas Aidukas, choir conductor, music teacher.
Rolandas Aidukas, is a choir conductor, pedagogue, teacher-expert, Associate Professor of Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre and a member of Lithuanian Scientific Society. Since 1991 he has been teaching at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater in the Departmens of Choral Conducting and Pedagogy. In 1991-2007 R. Aidukas was a teacher at Vilnius Juozas Tallat-Kelpša High Music School (later Vilnius Conservatoire, Vilnius College, Vilnius Juozas Tallat-Kelpša Conservatoire).
Since 1997 R. Aidukas has been an organizer and coordinator of international scientific practical conferences, contests, festivals of Lithuanian music and art schools, a compiler and editor of informational booklets and conference proceedings.
More here
Rafailas Karpis, opera soloist.
Rafailas Karpis a Lithuanian opera singer (tenor) born in a Jewish family in 1983 in Vilnius. Graduated in Lithuanian Academy of Music and theater. Studied at professor Virgilijus Noreika singing class. In 1999 became a Grand Prix winner of young singers of the Baltic sea countries competition. Since 2003 began singing in Lithuanian national opera theatre. In year 2008 was awarded with a “Hope of Lithuanian opera” prize and in year 2010 as a best performer of supporting opera roles.
Feeling a special interest in Jewish music especially in Yiddish songs has gained a wide repertoire of songs composed by Litvak and other Jewish composers.
More here
Larisa Tetuev, soloist of the Israeli opera, professor at the Tel Aviv Academy of Music.
…one of the most beautiful and unique lyric soprano voices…charismatic stage presence…fascinating Butterfly. Madam Butterfly, Fort Worth Opera, „Star Telegram“.
Hailed by Opera News for a Desdemona full of “tonal beauty, passionate music and her committed vocal and physical acting [that] injected intensity,” soprano Larisa Tetuev is one of Israel’s most celebrated sopranos.
As active concert singer as well, Larisa Tetuev has sung Rossini’s Stabat Mater, Dvorak’s Requiem, Britten’s War Requiem, Shostakovich’s From Jewish Folk Poetry, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Verdi’s Requiem with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.
More here
Eva Ben Zvi (Israel), soloist, vocal teacher at the Department of Music Bar-Ilan University.
Eva Ben Zvi performed as soloist with Israeli Rishon Le-Zion Symphony Orchestra, Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Israeli Chamber Orchestra, the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra, Moscow Symphony Orchestra, Moscow State Chamber Orchestra, Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra.
Among her opera roles are Suzanne (Nozze di Figaro), Rosina (Barbiere di Siviglia), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Norina (Don Pasquale), Gilda (Rigoletto).
In 1992 at the First International Festival of Jewish Art Music in Vilnius she sang Shulamit (soprano) part in “Simeni Kahotam al Libeha” by Anatolijus Senderovas World premiere.
More here
Judita Leitaitė, soloist, laureate of international competitions, LTMA associate professor.
Judita has made successful appearances at numerous international festivals in Poland, Denmark, Vilnius and London, as well as “Palaces of St. Petersburg” in Russia and “Music on the Water” held at the Palace of the King of Sweden. Her performance at the Baltic Music Fest in Sweden was a true sensation: “Audience was charmed not only by the beauty of the voice of fabulous vocalist Judita Leitaitė, but also by her compelling musical rendering.” She became the Summer Star of Newport Music Festival (USA). “The North American debut of Lithuanian mezzo-soprano Judita Leitaitė was greeted by thunderous ovations,” wrote Newport Music Festival press.
Her record credits include a number of LPs, 12 CDs and well over 300 recordings for the Lithuanian Radio.
More here
Evaluation of participants
In evaluating the performance of the participants, the Jury is guided by the following criteria:
– musical, vocal literacy, purity, clarity and professionalism;
– creativity of the performance;
– stage image;
– quality of performance and artistic level.
The performance of participants in age groups A and B is evaluated according to a twenty-point system, awarding from 1 to 10 points for each work.
The performance of the participants of age group C is evaluated according to the thirty point system, awarding from 1 to 10 points for each work.
Additional points are awarded for:
– 5 points are awarded for performing a song in Yiddish;
– 1 point additional in each category one participant can be awarded by one member of the Jury;
– 1 point additional in each category one participant can be awarded by the founders of nominations;
– additional 1 point in each category one participant can be awarded by the chairman of the Jury.
Awards
Winners of 1-3 places will be awarded diplomas and cash prizes:
|
Group A |
Group B |
Group C |
|
300 Eur – I place 200 Eur – II place 100 Eur – III place |
400 Eur – I place 300 Eur – II place 200 Eur – III place |
500 Eur – I place 400 Eur – II place 300 Eur – III place |
Winners of 4-6 places will be awarded diplomas.
Teachers whose pupils will be awarded cash prizes will receive 40% of the winning amount.
Nominations
– For The best performance of a Yiddish song is the prize of Roza Litay, the daughter of Nehama Lifshitz.
– The best concertmaster of the competition.
Prizes
– Lithuanian Jewish (Litvak) Community Prize.
– Sponsor prizes.
Jury has the right to
– To give the same place to few participants. In this case, the cash prize is distributed evenly.
– To give no nomination or prize.
Decisions
The decisions of the Jury are final and not subject to appeal.
Presentation of diplomas, prizes
Diplomas and prizes will be awarded at the Closing ceremony of the competition or sent to participants by post.
Obligation of the winners
Obligation of all the winners and the winners of nominations and the special prizes is to take part in the ceremony at the Closing of the competition.
Accommodation and travel expenses
Participants cover their own and accompanying person’s travel and accommodation expenses.
The organizers can offer accommodation in Vilnius city:
The guest house with 1-3 room apartments with 2-5 beds. Price – 25-40 € per apartment.
In the hotel 3 * with breakfast: per person per night in a triple room – 18 €, in a double room –20 €, in a single room – 30 €.
Visas
Participants who need visas to come to Lithuanian Republic must inform organizers before 31 of July 2021 by email nechama@competition.lt
Rights of organizers
The organizers have the exclusive right:
– To broadcast the competition on television channels and the Internet or give the right to do so to others;
– To produce and distribute audio and video or other promotional material of all kinds;
– To use or allow others to use the promotional material provided by the participant;
– To dispose of records made during the competition free of charge;
– Not to pay royalties for the performances of participants.
We offer
For those who wish, we offer:
– Thematic excursion “Lithuanian Jerusalem”.The tour can be in Yiddish, Hebrew, Lithuanian, English or Russian;
– Meeting at Sholom Aleichem ORT gymnasium;
– Meeting in the Lithuanian Jewish community;
– Meeting at the Lithuanian Museum of Jewish history.
Organizers
– Public institution „Pro partners“ www.propartners.lt;
– Support Fund of Nehama Lifshitz International Vocal Competition.
Consent of the participant
By completing the registration form participant agree that their personal information, such as name, photo, creative biography, and program may be published online, in the competition catalog, and in other sources.
By completing the registration form participant agree that their performance is broadcasted online or/and TV.
The organizers of the competition ensure that the personal data of the participants are used only for the purposes of the competition.
Information about the Privacy Policy can be found at here
In exceptional cases, in coordination with the Organizing Committee of the Competition, the song from another country can be performed instead of a song from your own country.
Contacts
For general questions – Beata, coordinator + 370 609 87665, info@competitions.lt
Information on the Internet – www.competition.lt
Payment details (registration of participants in the competition is closed)
Name: Tarptautinio Nechamos Lifsicaites vokalistu konkurso paramos fondas
Address: Vytauto g.25, LT-08119 Vilnius
Bank: AB SEB Bank
Swift: CBVILT2X
IBAN: LT897044090100884848;
Purpose of payment: participant’s Name, Surname registration fee
Organizing committee
Borisas
Traubas
Artistic director
Elijus
Romanovas
Executive director
Vladimiras
Prudnikovas
Chairman of the Jury
Miša
Jakobas
Coordinator of partners and sponsors
Aušra
Rožankevičiūtė
Coordinator