Lied
2026
III International
Competition
Bolko von
Hochberg
Theme 2026:
Spiritual & Folk Song
About the Competition
The "Bolko von Hochberg" International Lied Competition is a competition for singers and pianists (duos) in the field of classical art song. Talented musicians have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and compete with like-minded musicians from all over the world. Participants are offered a unique platform to present their song repertoire to a jury 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 (11:59 p.m. GMT).
The Art Song competition "Bolko von Hochberg" 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), Jawor, Poland, will exceptionally be chosen as the venue for the semifinals and finals. Travel and accommodation to Jawor will be organized for the musicians selected for the semifinals. The first round will take place in Görlitz (Gerhard Hauptmann Theater).
The repertoire of the third edition will be "Folk Song and Spiritual 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, Deutschland
May 30th
First Round | First day
May 31th
First Round | Second day
June 1st
First Round | Third day
Place
Teatr Miejski w Jaworze, Poland
June 2d
Free day
June 3d
Semifinals
June 4th
Finals and Prize-Awarding
Arrival
The nearest international airport to Görlitz is Copernicus Airport in Wrocław, followed by Berlin and Dresden. The city can be reached directly by train via Wrocław, Liberec, Dresden, and Berlin.
The nearest international airport to Jawor is Nicolaus Copernicus Airport in Wrocław. Jawor can be reached by train or car from Görlitz (one hour) and Wrocław (also one hour).
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 Orchestra.
Jawor (Jauer) is a town in Silesia, known for its famous Church of Peace (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
About the name-giver
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.
Sponsoren 2026
