Lyric Highlights at ´s-Hertogenbosch

Four duos, consisting of a singer and a pianist, had qualified for the final on Sunday 15 October in the Verkadefabriek in 's-Hertogenbosch, each of them performing an hourlong program of songs from various composers and genres. Like the competitors, the 2023 Jury was very high level, yet it raised eyebrows as it included only two singers besides three pianists and a composer- a decision in order to highlight the meaning "Duo", as opposed to a mere accompaniment. At the Lied Duo Competition, both pianists and singers are judged.

Jury Chair was Bo Skovhus, the internationally acclaimed and widely known Baritone. Together with another jury member, Stefan Vladar, he gave an outstanding performance of Schubert's "Winterreise" the night before the final.

But after an amazing evening of music, even the large number of special prizes could not hide the audience's disappointment over the missing First Prize. In a clear vote, the audience showed its preference for Giacomo Schmidt and his pianist Jong Sun Woo, who gave a humorous and emotional performance of the commissioned work "Veronese´s Green" by Bart Visman and Marc Pantus.

The IVC is a tough competition with a human touch, most aware of the pressures that young singers experience and strive to give every competitor – also the ones that do not win – a worthwhile experience that serves as an encouragement for the future. The IVC is an open community, a meeting place for all who work in and around opera, oratorio and Lied. The IVC also functions as a recourse center for young singers giving advice on problems they may encounter as well career counselling.