Only arias / solo scenes from operas, oratorios and secular cantatas are allowed. The selected arias / solo scenes must be by composers who were active between 1600 and 1750. Arias by composers who were predominantly active during this period are also allowed, even if they were composed outside of this time frame. You can find some examples of possible composers in the Competition Rules (Article 14).
Please note that for the recording for the preliminary round — as well as in the live rounds — in arias with a preceding solo recitative, the recitative must be included.
A change of the recording for the preselection is possible until the application deadline (31.05.2025) on the application platform.
No, it can be sung in any instrumentation and pitch.
Only arias / solo scenes from operas, oratorios and secular cantatas are allowed. The selected arias / solo scenes must be by composers who were active between 1600 and 1750. Arias by composers who were predominantly active during this period are also allowed, even if they were composed outside of this time frame. You can find some examples of possible composers in the Competition Rules (Article 14).
Yes, arias from oratorios may also be sung.
No, arias from madrigals are not permitted.
The arias are to be selected in such a way that the performance time does not exceed five minutes in the 1st round and ten minutes in the 2nd round.
Yes, a final aria may also be sung in one of the other rounds, but it may not be sung again in the final.
In the live rounds (1st round, 2nd round, and final), each aria may only be performed once. Only the aria submitted in the preliminary round may be repeated in one of the live rounds.
Please indicate on the registration form whether an aria is to be presented in the 1st or 2nd round. An exception is the aria from the 17th century, which must be sung in the 2nd round. Changes are possible until 31.07.2025. Please change the order by the registration deadline (31.05.2025) directly on the registration platform and afterwards by mail (cesti@altemusik.at). Later changes can not be considered. The order of the final arias will be decided by the musical director of the orchestra and the head of the jury.
No, for the final one aria by Handel and one aria by another composer must be selected from the compulsory arias.
It is allowed to sing an aria from a different voice category.
The pieces have to be sung in their original language, from memory, and in their original key.
The scores of the compulsory arias can be downloaded on the registration platform after registration.
Here is a short guide on how to find the sheet music on muvac:
- Log in with your muvac profile
- Klick at the three lines in the right upper corner
- Select Applications
- Select the Cesti Competition
- Select Details
- Scroll all the way down to Documents
- The scores of all compulsory arias are here available for download.
Yes, changes of the arias as well as their order in the second round are possible until 31.07.2025. Please change them until the registration deadline (31.05.2025) directly on the registration platform and afterwards by mail (cesti@altemusik.at). Changes after 31.07.2025 can no longer be considered.
The participants admitted to the live rounds receive written confirmation of participation by email by 21.06.2025 at the latest.
The competition office is open on competition days from 08:30 – 19:00 and can be reached via e-mail (cesti@altemusik.at) or telephone (+43 512 57103215).
- 26.08. Registration (10:00 – 15:00) and welcome with drawing of the order of performance (16:00)
- 27.08. – 28.08. 1st round: in the evening of 24.08. the participants of the 2nd round and their performance time will be announced
- 29.08. 2nd round: announcement of the finalists in the evening
- 30.08. Preparation day for the final
- 31.08. Dress rehearsal and final
The performance begins with entering the stage, and participants are expected to introduce themselves with their name and the title of the aria before singing. This is also considered a part of the presentation.
No, only solo recitatives that precede the arias must be sung.
Yes, the prelude to the arias may be shortened, but not the aria itself.
No, the arias of the 2nd round must be sung by the participants directly one after the other.
The Innsbruck Festival will provide a répétiteur for the participants during the 1st and 2nd round. Participants may also get accompanied by their own repetiteur.
The final arias will be performed with orchestral accompaniment. The day before the final serves as a rehearsal day for orchestra and finalists.
Participants have 10 minutes of rehearsal time with a répétiteur before the 1st round and 20 minutes of rehearsal time before the 2nd round. The répétiteur who accompanies them in the rehearsal will also be the répétiteur with whom they perform. Participants may be assigned a different répétiteur in the 2nd round than in the first round.
Yes, participants must bring the sheet music for the répétiteurs and hand it in at their registration on 26.08.2025 at Haus der Musik.
The live rounds are open to the public. Admission for the 1st and 2nd round is free, tickets for the final are available on our website.
Participants are free in their choice of clothes. The choice of stage attire should reflect one's own personality as best as possible and, if possible, also the role.
In the Haus der Musik there are rooms with pianos available, which participants can use after their registration on 26.08.2025.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to rehearse in the competition hall. In the Haus der Musik there are practice rooms available on the 4th floor.
The practice rooms can be used on competition days from 08:30 – 19:00.
Information about hotels in Innsbruck can be found on the website of Innsbruck Tourismus (Hotels, rooms & accommodation in the Innsbruck region) as well as on various booking platforms (e.g. Booking.com, Airbnb, ...).
Luggage can be deposited at the competition office during the day. The Festwochen does not take any liability for lost items.
Free WiFi is available at Haus der Musik.