Concept & Idea
The Concours Ernst Haefliger is the first ever singing
competition for young opera singers in Switzerland. A country
in the heart of Europe with eight important opera companies
needs to support the young-up-and-coming generation of
opera singers. At the same time, this competition gives
a platform and encouragement to young opera singers in
Switzerland. The Swiss Federal Office of Culture and the
Canton Bern, aware of the importance of this project, have
offered their financial support to realise the competition.
The idea and concept came from Dr. Aviel Cahn, opera director
in the Swiss capital city Bern.
The competition is organised as a co-production of the
Bern Opera (Stadttheater Bern) and the Menuhin Festival
in Gstaad, both most representative and prestigious cultural
institutions of the Canton Bern. The preliminary rounds
of the competition will be held during the Menuhin Festival
in Gstaad and the Finale will be in the Stadttheater Bern
with the Berner Symphonie-orchestra,
conducted by the Chief Conductor of the Bern Opera. Well
known Austrian actor Heinz Marecek will be the presenter
of the finale concert. Heinz Marecek is related to Ernst
Haefliger and directed the operetta „Wiener Blut“ at
the Stadttheater Bern in 2004.
The competition is dedicated to the tenor Ernst Haefliger,
probably the most important Swiss male opera singer of the
last century. Ernst Haefliger, who is still worldwide active
as teacher and professor, will be present during the competition
as president of the Jury.
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