The research project has the approval and support of the Department of Culture of the Government of Catalunya within the grants programme for the commemoration of events, figures or entities in the field of Catalan culture. The aim of the contest is to develop and professionalise the talent of young singers through a competition that encourages their artistic careers.
The first edition of the contest will be held in from 30 September to 3 October and aims to strengthen the Catalan language and culture through music, exploring the unique aspects of a musical tradition that has endured thanks to the forgotten female figures the contest aims to highlight and redeem. The competition is organised by UIC Barcelona and has a multidimensional approach to preserving the heritage and cultural identity of Catalonia.
“This project is the continuation of my research on the musical tradition of Enrique Granados, in which I have been working for over a decade,” explains Carolina Estrada. “His disciple Conxita Badia became a key figure in the transmission of this tradition through voice, and I wanted to recover that legacy to help develop the new generations professionally,” she adds.
The competition features an online first phase called “Discovering Voices,” in which candidates must submit a video recording performing freely chosen pieces. A professional judging panel will choose the candidates who will go on to the first face-to-face audition behind closed doors on 1 October at UIC Barcelona. On 3 October at 5 p.m. the final phase “Voice and soul: Grand Prix in memory of Conxita Badia”, a live gala open to the public, will take place in the Aula Magna of the University.
“There is a lack of visibility and stable professional circuits that forces many emerging talents to look for opportunities abroad. We need to strengthen support structures and provide more space for young musicians to develop their careers with guarantees,” says the researcher, who has taught courses at institutions such as the Royal Academy of Music in London and the universities of Sydney, Melbourne and Strasbourg, among others.
Presentation at the Library of Catalonia
Beyond the Singing Contest that is the culmination of Carolina Estrada’s research project, the initiative includes a series of educational and working days with concerts by renowned regional performers.
The first event took place at the Library of Catalonia, hosting a roundtable with experts to commemorate the figure of Conxita Badia. Margarida Ullate i Estanyol, director of the Sound and Audiovisual Archive of the Library of Catalonia; Patricia Caicedo, soprano and musicologist, who spoke about Badia’s exile in Latin America; Alícia Torra de Larrocha, legacy guardian of her mother Alícia de Larrocha, Catalan pianist and composer; Cristina Segura, mezzosoprano and UIC Barcelona lecturer; and Carolina Estrada, pianist, lecturer and researcher at UIC Barcelona.
“We are very proud to begin this project in such a special place, where the most important collection of her legacy is preserved,” explained Carolina Estrada at the Library of Catalonia. During the presentation, guidance was offered on how to document existing sources so that they are not lost to history, and how they can help music students and performers.
It was an emotional nostalgic event in the Llevant Hall of the Library of Catalonia, with a tribute concert in which Katerina Tretyakova and Cristina Segura united their operatic voices to perform pieces that are emblematic of Conxita Badia. Carolina Estrada had the opportunity to play Pleyel de 1911 by Enrique Granados on the piano.
The second concert will take place 11 May at the Reial Cercle Artístic of Barcelona at 12 p.m., taking its inspiration from Conxita Badia’s belief in the transformative power of music. The musical gala will feature prestigious soloists who will perform a carefully selected repertoire that reflects the essence and artistic impact of Conxita Badia.
Open registrations on the website of the UIC Barcelona Singing Contest
You can find the detailed contest regulations on the www.concursdecant.uic.cat website, as well as the timetable for submitting applications. Young artists between the ages of 18 and 30 can apply until 1 July. Contestants who have qualified for Phase 2 and the in-person auditions behind closed doors at the UIC Barcelona Aula Magna will be notified by 15 July.
