For more than a week, the city of Ruse will become an international centre of opera art, bringing together young tenors from different countries who will present their talent and artistic individuality in honour of Kamen Chanev and his remarkable artistic legacy.
The Third International Competition for Young Opera Singers – Tenors “The Voice of Kamen” is organized by State Opera Ruse and the Kamen Chanev Foundation, with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria and with the support and partnership of Municipality of Ruse. The competition is part of Bulgaria’s National Cultural Calendar for 2026. is organized by the State Opera – Ruse and the 'Kamen Chanev' Foundation, with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria and with the assistance and partnership of the Municipality of Ruse. The competition is part of the National Cultural Calendar for 2026.
“The Voice of Kamen” was established in memory of the world-renowned Bulgarian tenor Kamen Chanev, with the mission of preserving and continuing his ideals of complete dedication, professionalism, and honesty towards art. The competition gives young opera performers from all over the world the opportunity to encounter the high artistic standards that Kamen Chanev upheld throughout his international career and to carry his message forward to the next generation of artists.
The third edition of the competition will take place from August 20 to 27, 2026, in the city of Ruse.The competition is open to Bulgarian and international tenors between the ages of 22 and 40. The programme will include several rounds before an international jury, with all works performed in their original language and accompanied by piano.
The jury will be chaired by the world-renowned Argentine tenor, conductor, and composer José Cura – an artist with an impressive international career on the stages of the world’s leading opera houses. The jury members also include:
- Tanya Ivanova – soprano with an international career and founder of the Kamen Chanev Foundation;
- Plamen Kartalov academic, professor, and long-serving director of the National Opera and Ballet – Sofia;
- Søren Schumacher – opera director and artistic manager with extensive international experience;
- Daniel Djinga – conductor and General Director of the National Opera in Bucharest;
- Dragoljub Bajić – opera singer, pedagogue, and General Director of the National Theatre in Belgrade;
- Kaludi Kaludov – one of Bulgaria’s most distinguished tenors and a respected vocal pedagogue;
- Oliver Arsovski – Director of the National Opera and Ballet of the Republic of North Macedonia;
- Plamen Beykov – opera singer and Director of State Opera Ruse.
The first two rounds of the competition will take place on the stage of State Opera Ruse on August 21, 22, and 24 and will be closed to the public. During these rounds, the candidates will perform arias from the international operatic repertoire, including works associated with Kamen Chanev’s repertoire.
On August 23, participants will enjoy a special accompanying cultural and entertainment programme. In the evening, at 7:00 PM, at the Grand Hall of the Dohodno Zdaniethe audience will have the opportunity to attend a performance of Tosca by Giacomo Puccini conducted by Viliana Valcheva and directed by Orlin Anastassov. The leading roles will feature Tanya Ivanova as Floria Tosca José Cura as Mario Cavaradossi, and Ventseslav Anastasov as Baron Scarpia, together with the soloists, choir, and orchestra of State Opera Ruse.
A special highlight of the programme is the third round – “The Artist and the City”which will take place on August 25 on the open-air stage at Opera Square.In this round, the young tenors will compete for the Audience Award by presenting their artistic individuality through a freely chosen work – an opera aria, an operetta or musical selection, a folk song, or a popular song that best reflects their national identity and personal artistic style. All participants may take part in this round, regardless of whether they qualify for the final stage of the competition. Admission for the audience will be free.
The deadline for applications is July 10, 2026 via the official competition website: kamenchanev.org
The Winners’ Gala Concert will take place on August 27 at 7:00 PM at the Grand Hall of the Dohodno Zdaniefeaturing the orchestra of State Opera Ruse under the baton of José Cura.
The organizers have provided first, second, and third prizes in the amount of €4,000, €3,000, and €2,000 respectively. A number of special awards will also be presented, including an award from State Opera Ruse; an award from the National Theatre in Belgrade – participation in an opera production during the 2026/2027 season; “The Artist and the City” Audience Award; the Union of Bulgarian Musicians and Dancers Award – “Kamen Chanev – For Honesty in Art”; as well as up to four additional special awards from European opera houses, including contracts for participation in future opera productions.
