Greeting from the General Director

Dear Nuremberg Music Lovers,

Hosting a renowned singing competition and building its reputation over time calls for several ingredients, such as good conditions for the performers, a competent expert jury, talented and highly motivated young singers and an interested and enthusiastic audience. However, all great singing competitions also live on their tradition and the later successe of their award winners. It was therefore very commendable of my predecessor Peter Theiler to launch a new competition in Nuremberg in order to establish such a tradition.

I now have the honour of being involved in a singing competition that has already gained an excellent reputation in the music world. Word has gone around amongst the up-and-coming young singers that Nuremberg offers them a wonderful opportunity to exhibit their talent and to be awarded for their efforts. In order to maintain the "Meistersinger" competition's attractiveness and uniqueness, we have altered the awards focus slightly: besides the three general awards, we will also be awarding special prizes for the lower vocal ranges Alto and Bass in recognition of some opera repertoire demands that are often ignored in singing competitions but are no less important.

Of course, as an artist, you take part in a competition in order to win it or to at least do well. However, despite the event's competitive character, let us not forget our shared passion: performing great music of the highest standard! I hope that this competition will also lead to many personal encounters: between the singers and the audience, and also with the inhabitants of the city that is hosting the event. Ultimately, we would like everyone, artists and audience, to leave Nuremberg with the feeling that they have been rewarded – by our shared experience of something that unites all of us: powerful music and performances.

I hope that everyone involved will enjoy their stay in Nuremberg and will find the competition inspiring!

Jens-Daniel Herzog
General Director