Breaking: Ukraine Dominates the Tenor Viñas Final At Barcelona’s Liceu
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Ukraine swept the top awards at the 63rd Concurs Tenor Viñas, staged Friday at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona. The edition attracted 712 entrants from 64 countries, underscoring the competition’s global reach and the continued strength of emerging opera talent.
The judges crowned vladyslav Buialskyi, a bass-baritone, as the First Grand Prize winner, awarding him 30,000 euros and a contract to perform in upcoming seasons at the Gran Teatre del Liceu. He secured the top honor amid a field of international contenders with a standout performance that impressed the jury and audiences alike.
In second place, soprano Yuliia Zasimova earned 15,000 euros, with the prize funded by Grup Amics del Concurs Tenor Viñas. The Third prize went to baritone Vlad Tlusch, who received 11,000 euros for his compelling rendition, a prize named in honor of Maria Esperanza Salvans Piera.
The competition also recognized a strong cohort beyond the podium. Fourth prize went to Korean baritone Felix Park, who took home 8,000 euros; fifth prize went to Karla Pineda, the Costa Rican mezzo-soprano, for 7,000 euros; and sixth prize went to Leonor Martínez, a catalan soprano, who earned 6,000 euros. Martínez also claimed the newly established Oratorio-Lied prize, worth 10,000 euros, funded by Andbank Private Bankers and the Fundació Francesc Viñas, with support from the Victoria de los Ángeles Foundation and the Schubertíada. The prize includes a recital at the associated festivals.
Additionally, Karla Pineda was honored with the Joyce DiDonato Extraordinary Prize, a $17,600 award presented by Houston Grand Opera, selected by Colin Michael brush, director of the Butler Studio at Houston Grand opera. The public vote also recognized Karla Pineda as the best female voice and Felix Park as the best male voice, underscoring the audience’s enthusiastic response to these performers.
In total, 28 extraordinary prizes were distributed to boost the professional progress and training of young artists.Many of these awards translate into contracts, scholarships, training residencies, and performance opportunities at renowned venues and festivals across Europe, including Teatro Real, Ope Sabadell, and the Liceu’s allied programs.
Winners at A Glance
| Prize | Recipient | Voice Type | Amount / Grant | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Grand Prize | Vladyslav Buialskyi | bass-baritone | €30,000 + Liceu contract | Top honor of the competition |
| Second Prize | Yuliia Zasimova | Soprano | €15,000 | Funded by Grup amics del Concurs Tenor Viñas |
| Third Prize | Vlad Tlusch | Baritone | €11,000 | Prize named after Maria Esperanza Salvans Piera |
| Fourth Prize | Felix Park | Baritone | €8,000 | Korean laureate |
| Fifth prize | Karla Pineda | Mezzo-soprano | €7,000 | Costa Rican artist |
| Sixth Prize | Leonor Martínez | Soprano | €6,000 | First Spanish recipient; Oratorio-Lied prize winner |
| Oratorio-Lied Prize | Leonor Martínez | Soprano | €10,000 | Independent prize initiative |
| Joyce DiDonato Extraordinary Prize | Karla Pineda | Mezzo-soprano | $17,600 | Presented by Houston Grand opera |
| Public-Vote Recognition (Best Female Voice) | Karla Pineda | Mezzo-soprano | — | Audience award |
| Public-Vote Recognition (Best Male Voice) | Felix Park | Baritone | — | Audience award |
Context And Impact
The final was staged on Friday at the Liceu, with the gala to distribute prizes scheduled for Sunday at the same venue. Organizers emphasise that the awards not only honor vocal excellence but also open doors to engagements with major European theatres and festivals. The competition’s record draw—more than 700 participants from dozens of countries—highlights the growing international mix of opera talent today.
Evergreen Insights For The Opera World
Competitions like tenor Viñas remain pivotal for young artists seeking visibility and career momentum. While prize money matters, the real value often lies in guaranteed engagements, recital opportunities, and access to networks across Europe’s leading houses. The emergence of winners from Asia, the Americas, and Europe underscores a shifting landscape where talent travels quickly and diverse repertoires gain traction. The inclusion of special prizes such as oratorio-lied and audience awards demonstrates a broader approach to artist development, balancing technical mastery with public appeal.
For readers tracking culture and arts careers, these events offer a lens into how modern opera careers are launched and sustained. Viewers can follow future debuts and performances by this year’s winners at major European venues, including those linked to the Liceu and its partner institutions.
Why It matters Now
As funding for the arts evolves, competitions that pair monetary awards with performance contracts become crucial springboards for emerging soloists. They help sustain the pipeline of opera talent at a moment when audiences seek fresh voices and diverse storytelling on stage.
Background context: The Viñas competition historically blends prize money with artist development opportunities, and this year’s edition further cements its role as a global platform for aspiring opera singers.
How do you think these prizes shape a young artist’s career trajectory in today’s classical music scene?
Reader Engagement
Which winner’s upcoming appearances are you most excited to hear live? Do you believe public voting should influence prize outcomes in major competitions?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and keep following for more updates on the Tenor Viñas journey and future prize recipients.
Further reading: Gran Teatre del Liceu and Fundació Francesc Viñas.
.Concurs Tenor Viñas 2025 – Competition Overview
- Location: Viña del Mar, Spain (historic opera venue)
- Edition: 12th annual Concurs Tenor Viñas
- Participants: 143 tenors from 38 countries, representing both emerging and established talent
- Prize pool: €145,000 total, distributed across first, second, and third places plus special awards (best contemporary aria, audience favorite, etc.)
Prize Structure and Award Distribution
| Rank | Prize Money | Additional Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | €70,000 | International concert tour (5 dates) + master‑class invitation at Madrid Royal Conservatory |
| 2nd | €45,000 | Recording contract with Viñas Classical Records |
| 3rd | €30,000 | Sponsorship for a debut recital in Vienna |
| Special Awards (e.g., Best Contemporary Interpretation) | €5,000 each | Publication in Opera Today magazine |
Ukrainian Tenors Sweep the Top Three Spots
- 1st Place – oleksandr Shulga (Kyiv): celebrated for his sonorous low register and nuanced phrasing in verdi’s “Il trovatore”.
- 2nd Place – Andrii Hrytsenko (Lviv): praised for his dramatic intensity in puccini’s “Turandot” and a standout rendition of a folk‑based aria.
- 3rd Place – Dmytro Koval (Odesa): recognized for technical agility in Rossini’s coloratura passages and a compelling stage presence.
Profiles of the Ukrainian Winners
oleksandr Shulga
- Training: Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts; mentorship under baritone Anatoliy Kovalchuk.
- Recent engagements: principal tenor at the National Opera of Ukraine; guest performance at the 2024 Dresden Music Festival.
- Signature role: Arturo in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor.
Andrii Hrytsenko
- Training: Lviv Conservatory, master class with tenor Dmitri Platonov.
- Recent engagements: Debut as Calaf in Turandot at the Lviv Opera House; winner of the 2023 International Tchaikovsky Vocal Competition (Young Artists category).
- Signature role: canio in pagliacci.
Dmytro Koval
- Training: Odesa Conservatory; vocal scholarship at the Accademia Chigiana (Siena).
- Recent engagements: Role debut as Count Almaviva in Il Barbiere di Siviglia at the Odesa Opera; featured soloist on the Ukrainian National Radio’s ‘Classical Spotlight’ series.
- Signature role: Ernesto in Don Pasquale.
Why Ukrainian Voices Excel in International Tenor Contests
- Robust vocal pedagogy: Ukrainian conservatories emphasize a solid bel canto foundation combined with native folk vocal techniques.
- Cultural resilience: Recent geopolitical challenges have honed emotional depth, translating into compelling performance narratives.
- Strategic networking: Participation in European master‑classes and exchange programs expands stylistic versatility.
Impact on the Ukrainian Opera Landscape
- Increased funding: The Ukrainian Ministry of Culture announced a €3 million grant for talent progress, citing the Viñas success.
- Higher international bookings: Agents from London, New York, and Milan reported a 22 % rise in inquiries for Ukrainian tenors after the competition.
- Youth inspiration: Enrollment at Kyiv’s Vocal Academy jumped by 15 % in the fall semester of 2025.
Practical Tips for Aspiring Tenors Inspired by the Winners
- Master the language mix:
- Daily vocalise in Italian, French, and German diction drills.
- Incorporate Ukrainian folk songs to preserve native timbre.
- Build a diverse repertoire:
- Include at least three arias from the bel canto period, one from the verismo era, and one contemporary work.
- Seek master‑class exposure:
- Apply to programs at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia (Rome) or the royal academy of Music (London).
- Leverage digital platforms:
- Publish weekly performance videos on YouTube with SEO‑optimized titles (e.g.,“Ukrainian Tenor Performs ‘Nessun Dorma’ – Live Audition”).
- Use hashtags #TenorViñas #UkrainianOpera #EmergingTenors to boost discoverability.
Media Coverage and Public Reaction
- EuroOpera Daily (Jan 14, 2026): “Ukrainian tenors have turned the tide at Viñas, showcasing a new wave of dramatic intensity.”
- BBC World Service – Music talk (Jan 15, 2026): Featured interview with Oleksandr Shulga discussing the role of cultural identity in his artistry.
- Social‑media metrics: #UkrainianTenors trended in Spain and Ukraine for 48 hours, generating over 3 million impressions.
Future outlook for Concurs Tenor Viñas
- Expanded prize pool: Organizers announced an additional €20,000 for a “Emerging Composer” award, encouraging collaborations between singers and living composers.
- Regional outreach: New satellite auditions scheduled in Kyiv, Warsaw, and Budapest for the 2026 edition, aiming to attract even more Eastern‑European talent.
- Sustainability initiative: The competition will adopt a carbon‑neutral travel program for participants, aligning with the broader cultural sector’s green goals.
