Umberto Borsò International Opera Singing Competition

An opera competition in the heart of Tuscany

The Umberto Borsò International Opera Singing Competition is one of the most anticipated contests for young opera voices, based in Castelfiorentino, within the Metropolitan City of Florence, in the heart of the Tuscany Valdelsa region. The venue is the historic Teatro del Popolo, located in the town center, a long-standing landmark for the area's musical and cultural life.

The competition is organized by the Amici della Lirica "Umberto Borsò" Association and is open to young opera singers of any nationality aged 18 and over. The goal is clear: to promote and recognize the artistic merit of new generations, offering them not only scholarships but also real contracts for opera productions, because a truly useful prize is one that opens the doors to the stage.

Who was Umberto Borsò

The prize bears the name of Umberto Borsò (1923-2018), an illustrious tenor who lived in Castelfiorentino as a child and remained deeply attached to the town throughout his life. After a long career on major stages, Borsò dedicated his final years to teaching and promoting young performers. The competition was created to continue this work, thanks to the generous support of the tenor's family, particularly his daughter Vittoria Borsò, who was instrumental in establishing the event and the scholarships.

How the competition works

The competition is divided into three phases: preliminary selections, a semi-final, and a public final, which takes place as a full concert at the Teatro del Popolo. On stage, the finalists perform a demanding program focused on the Verdi and post-Verdi repertoire: arias from Puccini's Tosca, Manon Lescaut, and La bohème, Verdi's Un ballo in maschera and Il trovatore, Giordano's Andrea Chénier, and Bizet's Carmen, accompanied by piano.

The prizes

The total prize pool is €9,000, divided into several awards: the "Umberto Borsò" First Prize, the "New Voice for Puccini" award for the best Puccini interpretation, the "City of Castelfiorentino" Audience Award, and the "Ferruccio Busoni" Musical Study Center Award. In addition to cash prizes, the best performers are offered roles in opera productions, such as Puccini's Madama Butterfly at the Teatro del Popolo, and contracts for the summer season in Empoli.

A rapidly growing tradition

Although young, the competition has quickly established itself as an international event: from its very first editions, it has attracted over a hundred singers from dozens of countries, featuring a high-profile jury and collaborations with prominent Tuscan musical institutions, from the Teatro Verdi in Pisa to the "Ferruccio Busoni" Musical Study Center and the "Simonetta Puccini per Giacomo Puccini" Foundation. For opera lovers and those who enjoy discovering the talents of tomorrow, it is a precious occasion in the Tuscan winter calendar.