About the Competition
The "Bolko von Hochberg" International Song Competition is a competition for singers and pianists (duos) in the field of classical art song. Talented musicians have the opportunity to showcase their talent and compete with like-minded individuals from all over the world. Participants are offered a unique platform to present their song repertoire to a panel of experts and receive valuable feedback.
The age limit for singers is 40 years; there is no age limit for pianists.
The registration deadline is February 28, 2026 (23:59 GMT).
The song competition is conceived as a German-Polish and European cooperation project and takes place every two years in the European city of Görlitz-Zgorzelec. The jury and partner institutions connect the two neighboring countries, Germany and Poland. In 2026 (the 100th anniversary of the composer's death), Jelenia Góra (Hirschberg), Poland, will exceptionally be chosen as the venue for the semifinals and finals. Travel and accommodation to Jelenia Góra will be organized for the musicians selected for the semifinals. The repertoire of the third edition of the competition is "Folk Song and Sacred Song."
Jury
2026
Prof. Alexander Schmalcz
Pianist, University for Music and Performing Arts in Lipsia
Germany
Prof. Ewa
Biegas
Soprano, Professor at the Karol Szymanowski Music Academy in Katowice
Poland
Prof. Britta Schwarz
Alto/Mezzo soprano. Professor in the University of Music and performing Arts in Dresden
Germany
Victor
Medem
Director of the Franz-Schubert-Society, Professor in the Escuela Superior de Música de Catalunya
Spania, Germany
Dr. Romy
Donath
Soprano, musicologist. Director of the Museum of Romantics in Dresden
Germany
Bartosz
Żurakowski
Conductor. Artistic director of the Foundation and Festival "Belle Voci"
Poland
Eleni Triada
Müller
Artistic Director and Initiator of the Competition and Chairwoman of the Society Ars Augusta e.V.
Germany, Poland, Greece
Program
Place
Gerhart-Hauptmann-Theater
Görlitz, Germany
May 30th
First Round | First day
May 31st
First Round | Second day
June 1st
First Round | Third day
Place
Lower Silesian Philharmonic Orchestra (Philharmonia Dolnośląska)
Jelenia Gora, Poland
June 2nd
Day off
June 3rd
Semifinals
June 4th
Finals and Prize-Awarding
Arrival
The nearest international airport to Görlitz (and Jelenia Góra) is Copernicus Airport in Wrocław, followed by Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt Airport and Dresden. Görlitz can be reached directly by train or bus via Wrocław, Liberec, Dresden, and Berlin.
Prizes
1. Prize
2. Prize
3. Prize
Special Award for the best Lied Pianist
Audience-Award, Special Awards
"Ars Augusta", "Belle Voci", "Museum der Romantik in Dresden"
6000 €
4000 €
2000 €
1000 €
Song Recitals and Recordings
Bolko von Hochberg and his places
About Görlitz
Görlitz is a picturesque town on the German-Polish border with an incredibly high concentration of historic buildings. One of these is the Gerhart Hauptmann Theater, a neoclassical building with its own ensemble and home to the New Lusatian Philharmonic. About 70 km from Görlitz, in the picturesque Giant Mountains, where Gerhart Hauptmann and many other artists lived before and after World War II, lies Jelenia Góra (Hirschberg). 150 years ago, Bolko von Hocberg founded the Silesian Music Festival there, a gathering of the region's singing societies. The Lower Silesian Philharmonic "Ludomir Rózycki" is now home to the Lower Silesian Philharmonic Orchestra and offers a rich program of classical music.
The origin of the name
Bolko von Hochberg (1843–1926) was an important composer for Görlitz, connected to Germany and Poland. He was artistic director of the Royal Theater in Berlin and director of the Silesian Music Festival. 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of his death.
Fassade
Foto: Gerhart-Hauptmann-Theater
Fassade
Sponsors 2026
