IONEL PERLEA International Conducting Competition 2026
July, 29-31, 2026 Edition X
Europe Concert Hall – Ionel Perlea UNESCO Cultural Center, Slobozia – Romania
APPLICATION RULES
Ionel Perlea International Conducting Competition is open to participants of all ages and nationalities. NO AGE LIMIT!
The registration deadline is July, 15, 2026
REGISTRATION
The application documents to be uploaded for each participant are:
– Application form here
– Curriculum vitae
– Copy of an identity document
– Recent Photo
– The Proof of payment of the Registration fee
All documents must be sent at: perlea.competition@gmail.com
IMPORTANT:
Application documents must be accompanied by an uploaded 10-15 minutes video recording which shows the applicant working as a conductor, during rehearsal or concert. Recordings from piano rehearsals are eligible. Any repertoire is admitted.
Video recordings will be uploaded public or unlisted on YouTube, and the link will be included in the application form in the appropriate box.
Each piece or fragment must be recorded in a single take (no editing). It is strongly recommended that the candidate’s face and hands should be visible at all times (front view) and that the camera angle should be fixed.
It is also strongly recommended that the sound should be of satisfactory quality.
Admission to the competition will be based on these video recordings, which will be assessed by the Jury. The results of the pre-selection will be announced till July 19, 2026 on the Competition site. Subsequent, selected contestants will receive via e-mail the confirmation of Competition participation.
By filling in and submitting the Application form, each candidate confirms that he agrees with the Competition Rules in all their details. The Romanian version of the Competition Rules prevails for all interpretations.
By completing and submitting the Application form, the competitors agree with the audio and video recording of the Competition rounds and give the assignment for related rights to the organizers.
REGISTRATION & PARTICIPATION FEES
Registration fee: 100 Euro
The fees and bank commissions will be paid by the participants so that the amount of the registration fee remains intact.
The registration fee is not refunded in case of elimination after the preselection, in case of withdrawal or in case of non-submission to the contest.
Participation fee: 300 euro
After the video preselection round, all admitted applicants will pay a 300€ participation fee until July 18th, 2026
The participation fee includes accommodation and 2 meals per day (breakfast/lunch ) for each participant, as long as they stay in the competition.
JURY:
- Sabin Păutza – Romania – President of the Jury
Composer, Conductor, Musicologist
- Nayden Todorov
Conductor, Artistic Director of Sofia Philarmonic, Bulgaria
- Michalis Economou – Greece
Conductor, Composer, Music Director of Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra
- Svetlana Bivol – Republic of Moldova
General Manager of National Philharmonia „Serghei Lunchevici”, Moldova
- Cristian Lupeș – Romania
Conductor, General Manager of the Sibiu State Philharmonia
- Tiberiu Oprea – Romania
Conductor, Artistic Founder of Filarmonica Pitești
- Alexandru Ganea – Romania
Conductor, Orchestra Teacher of National University of Music of Bucharest
The Jury decides the winners for each section of the contest.
The decisions of the Jury are irrevocable.
The Jury reserves the right not to award all prizes or to supplement the number of prizes awarded (as the case may be) in each section.
PRIZES
First Prize: 3000€
Second Prize: 1500€
Third Prize: 1000€
Orchestra Prize: 500€
Special Prizes:
Appointment in the 2026-2027 season of the:
- Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra
- Sofia Philarmonic
- National Philharmonia „Serghei Lunchevici”, Moldova
- State Philharmonia Sibiu – Romania
- Filarmonica Pitești – Romania
Special Prize – “Sabin Păutza”: 1000€
COMPETITION SCHEDULE
July 29, 2026 – DRAW of LOTS & FIRST ROUND
July 30, 2026 – SEMIFINALS
July 31, 2026 – FINALS & AWARDS CEREMONY
COMPETITION PROGRAM
The competition has three rounds: First Round, the SEMIFINAL and the FINAL, all rounds are with “Ionel Perlea” Orchestra, the official orchestra of the competition.
FIRST ROUND
Ouvertures:
L.v. Beethoven – Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus, Op.43
L.v. Beethoven -Coriolan, Op.62
L.v Beethoven – Egmont. Op 84
Symphonic:
– L.v. Beethoven – Symphony no. 3 “Eroica” , op.55
– L.v. Beethoven – Symphony no.5, “Fate Symphony ” op.67
– L.v. Beethoven – Symphony no.7, op.92
SEMIFINAL
OPERA:
W. A. Mozart – Così fan tutte
ACT I
SCENA II–III
№4 Duetto — Ah guarda sorella (Fiordiligi, Dorabella) –
SCENA VII-IX
Recitativo Ah scostati (Dorabella) –
No. 11 Aria Smanie implacabili che m’agitate (Dora.
bella)
No. 12 Aria In uomini! In soldati (Despina)
SCENA XI
No. 14 Aria Come scoglio immoto resta (Fordiligı)
ACT II
SCENA I
No. 19 Aria Una donna a quindici anni (Despina)
SCENA II
No. 20 Duetto Prendero quel brunettino (Fiordilig).
Dorabella)
SCENA V
No. 23 Duetto Il core vi dono (Dorabella, Gughelmo)
SCENA VIII
No.26 Aria Donne mie, la fate a tanti (Guglielmo)
https://clara.imslp.org/work/39835?imslpIndex=734142
Bärenreiter-Verlag, 1991.
FINAL
One piece from each previous rounds (Symphony and Opera), by drawing lots.
OTHER SPECIFICATIONS
All competition rounds will take place at Europa Concert Hall Slobozia, with Ionel Perlea Orchestra.
Competition entry is made in the order established by the draw of lots.
Participation of the finalists at the Award Ceremony is mandatory.
PAYMENT:
The payment of the registration and participation fees will be paid in the following bank accounts:
For payment in EURO:
IBAN: EURO: RO78BTRLEURCRT0589901301 BANCA TRANSILVANIA,ROMANIA SWIFT / BIC: BTRLRO22 Account Beneficiary: Asociatia SUONARTE With the mention: Conducting Competition
For payment in the equivalent in RON at the NBR exchange rate on the day of payment:
IBAN: RON: RO31BTRLRONCRT0589901301 Banca Transilvania, Romania Account Beneficiary: Asociatia SUONARTE With the mention: Conducting Competition
For further information:
E-mail: perlea.competition@gmail.com
Tel.: +40 721 665 332
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