WE KNOW THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE STAGE II

"Thank you for coming to Nowy Sącz for the Ada Sari Competition. Those who did not make it to the stage II, I encourage you to talk to the jurors. We are specialists, but each of us expects something different in music and experiences performances differently," said Małgorzata Walewska, chairwoman of the jury and Artistic Director of the Competition. "I hope that the fact that you have not passed will not discourage you from working further". - she addressed it to those who will leave Nowy Sącz tomorrow.

And indeed, many young artists took advantage of this opportunity. Until the late evening hours, the singers talked to the jurors, received expert reviews of their performances, as well as advice on how to correct their mistakes.

A total of 55 participants from 11 countries entered this year's edition: Poland (33), China (7), South Korea (3), Ukraine (3) and two each from Germany and the USA, as well as one each from: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Sweden. This is 9 more participants than in the previous, pandemic edition.

The stage I of the XX Competition lasted two days. In it, the young singers performed two works out of the three statutory ones: one chosen by themselves and the other by the jury, who primarily asked for presentations of Mozart's compositions. According to the jurors, works by this composer best demonstrate the level of vocal technique. The programme of each participant in the first stage lasted no longer than 10 minutes. Traditionally, there were the largest number of high female voices in the Competition - as many as 28 sopranos and only seven mezzo-sopranos. Among the men, baritones reigned supreme - as many as 14, but only 3 basses, 2 countertenors and just 1 tenor (in the previous edition there were 4).

"I know that you can always sing better, but I felt that I gave my best on stage in the stage I for that moment. I'm happy to have passed on," - said Gabriela Celińska-Myslaw, one of the six mezzo-sopranos who will be heard in the stage II. "The jury is choosing the pieces I will sing tomorrow from the proposed list, and I've already found out that among them is the one I really wanted". - she added.

The stage II of the Competition begins tomorrow. Participants will perform three or four compositions. Also, in this stage - which is scheduled for Wednesday - the Song Contest will take place. That evening, the finalists of this year's Competition and the winner in the song category will be announced.

What qualities must the winners of the Competition fulfil? "This is a Vocal Artistry Competition, so the participants' strongest point should be technical skills. But without personality, without the ability to speak foreign languages, technique alone is not enough. Because such performers will not catch the heart," emphasised Małgorzata Walewska.

The Competition organised by the SOKÓŁ Małopolska Cultural Centre in Nowy Sącz has attracted a lot of interest from the public. So far, the first two days of the auditions have been broadcast more than 4,500 times.

The whole Competition can be followed live on the Internet: www.adasari.pl.