RULES

1. The competition is open to all singers less than 35 years old on December 1, 2003.
   
   
2. Candidates must send with their application, an 8" x 10" professional photo, proof of birth and citizenship (copy of original birth certificate, passport, etc...), a curriculum vitae and a list of engagements in 2003-2004.
   
   
3. It is recommended that applicants sing the Czech/Slovak repertoire in the original language, but not required. (Many of these compositions are also available in German, etc.) IPA transcriptions will be available for most of the vocal repertoire upon request.
   
   
4. Dr. Timothy Cheek, pianist/coach, University of Michigan and author of Czech Diction, will be accompanying for the auditions at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. The fee for Dr. Cheek will be US$30 per singer in the USA and Can$40 in Canada.
   
   
5. Registration fee for singers who do the First-Round and Semi-final Round in Canada is Can$75 payable to Théàtre Lyrichorégra 20. Registration fee for singers who do the First-Round and Semi-final Round in USA is US$50 payable to University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. Registration must be paid by certified check, cashier's check, or money order before November 10, 2003. Personal checks will not be accepted.
   
   
6. The competition is divided into three rounds:
   • First-Round: The candidate must sing an operatic aria of his/her own choice.
     
   • Semi-final Round: The candidate will sing an operatic aria of his/her own choice, and an operatic aria or a song from any Czech or Slovak composer, preferably in the original language. The candidate may repeat the aria from the first round.
   • Final round: The candidate must sing an operatic aria of his/her own choice (different from the first two rounds), an aria from any Czech or Slovak opera, and a Czech or Slovak Song. (The candidate can repeat the Czech or Slovak work of the semi-final). All music must be memorized.
     
     
7. The decisions of the jury are irrevocable and the jury reserves the right not to give a prize or to divide prize money.
   
   
8. Winners of the 1st Prize and the 2nd Prize will be invited to perform at the Gala Concert on December 3, 2003 in Montréal and must accept this invitation. Some funding support toward accommodation expenses will be given for this extended stay if necessary.
   
   
9. Winners of any of these prizes are required to mention these prizes for a period of at least two years following the competition award.
   
   
10. Winner of the 1st Prize will receive an amount of Can$4000 in cash from his or her total Can$5000 award. Théàtre Lyrichorégra 20 will keep the remaining amount of Can$1000 for the singer's transportation fees to attend master classes and perform concerts in Czech Republic/Slovakia between January 1 and December 21, 2004. The final dates and arrangements for the concerts and master classes are the responsibility of the European partners.

If the winner cannot arrange to go to Europe, or chooses not to go, he/she will lose this amount of money. The master classes are free of charge and lodging is also offered to the laureate. Visa fees are paid by the laureate.