Competition Jury
Round I Jury Members
Aira Rūrāne
Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Associated professor, Head of Vocal Department
Aira Rūrāne holds a master's degree in vocal performance from the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music. During her studies, she attended masterclasses of prof. Regīna Frīnberga and further honed her professional mastery with M. Gruzdeva, P. di Napoli, M. Honig, J. Ryhänen, I. Krikunova, and A. Everaert.
Since the year 2000 Aira Rūrāne collaborates with, and since 2006 is a soloist of the Latvian National Opera. Aira Rūrāne is in great demand as a teacher – as a vocal coach she has worked with various choirs, as well as with the collectives of the Latvian National and Valmiera Drama Theatres. She has taught solo and ensemble singing at the Latvian Academy of Culture.
Aira Rūrāne was the recipient of the AS "Latvijas Gāze" Annual Opera Award as the Best Opera Soloist (2007) and For Exceptional Artistic Achievements (2008), as well as the recipient of the Pauls Sakss Recognition Award (2007).
On the Latvian National Opera stage she has performed such roles as Madame de Croissy in F. Poulenc's "Dialogues des Carmélites", Mother Goose in I. Stravinsky's "The Rake's Progress", Fata Morgana in S. Prokofiev's "The Love for Three Oranges", Woglinde and Wellgunde in R. Wagner's "Das Reingold", Ortlinde in "Die Walküre", Wellgunde and Second Norn in "Götterdämmerung", Senta in "Der fliegende Holländer", Domna Ivanovna Saburova in N. Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Tsar's Bride", Mariya in P. Tchaikovsky's "Mazeppa", Tatyana in "Eugene Onegin", Lisa in "The Queen of Spades", Rusalka in A. Dvorak's "Rusalka", The Mistress of the Novices in G. Puccini's "Sour Angelica", Katerina Lvovna Izmailova and Aksinya in D. Shostakovich's "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk", Lūcija in J. Lūsēns' "The Puppet's Opera", Daughter's Mother in I. Kalniņš' "I Played, I Danced", Karolka in L. Janáček's "Jenůfa", Micaëla and Frasquita in G. Bizet's "Carmen", First Lady in W.A. Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte", and Euridice in C.W. Gluck's "Orfeo ed Eudirice".
Aira Rūrāne has performed solo recitals in many Latvian cities and abroad - in Germany, Great Britain and Canada. She has appeared as a soloist with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Latvian National Opera Orchestra, Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, Riga Chamber Musicians, New Riga Chamber Orchestra, the RIGA Professional Symphonic Band, Latvian National Armed Forces Orchestra, and various festival orchestras. She has performed soprano solo parts in various vocal-instrumental opuses with numerous Latvian choirs and chamber choirs, and participated in chamber music concerts alongside the best collaborative pianists of Latvia, performing classical as well as contemporary repertoire. Aira Rūrāne has participated in productions of Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania, Bergen National Opera, Graz Opera, Komische Oper Berlin, Moscow Bolshoi Theatre, Estonian National Opera, and Macau Opera.
In 1995 she became a soloist of the Opera Studio "Figaro", where she sang the roles of Cherubino in W.A. Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro", Hänsel and the Gingerbread Witch in E. Humperdinck's "Hänsel und Gretel", Clarina in G. Rossini's "La cambiale di matrimonio" and Lia in C. Debussy's "L'enfant prodigue".
Andžella Goba
Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Professor, Vocal Department
After acquiring secondary education at the Jāzeps Mediņš College of Music in 1998, Andžella Goba commenced studies at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, graduating the classes of professors Anita Garanča and Arvīds Luste in 2002. During her studies, she won awards at the Latvian Music Colleges Vocal Departments Competition (1997). Since 1998 she is a soloist of the Latvian National Opera.
Andžella Goba is the recipient of the theatre award The Most Notable Debut (1999), Aldaris Award (1999), Latvian Great Music Award (1999), and the Pauls Sakss Recognition Award (2000).
Zigrīda Krīgere
Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Docent of The Vocal Department
Zigrīda Krīgere in 1988 graduated Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music and became a soloist of the Latvian National Opera. Amongst her most notable roles are Elisabeth (Don Carlos), Mimi (La Boheme), Liu (Turandot), Sister Angelica, Tosca, Cio-Cio San (Madame Butterfly), Countess Almaviva (The Marriage of Figaro), Norma, Santucca (Cavalleria rusticana), Iolanta, Tatiana, Baņuta, Spīdola (Fire and Night), Kristīne (In the Fire), and others. For a considerable period of time she was the CD recordings project manager and the organizer of various events and concerts at the Latvian National Opera. She is a board member of the Latvian Singing Teachers' Association. Since 2011 she is the Head of JVLMA Vocal Department.
Viesturs Gailis
Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Ascademy of Music, Professor, Artistic Director of the Opera Studio "Figaro"
Viesturs Gailis is a symphony orchestra conducting professor at Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, the head of Opera Class and the artistic director of JVLMA Opera Studio "Figaro". He has organized several production of forgotten Latvian operas: "Lolita's Wonderbird" and "Hamlet" by Jānis Kalniņš (at Bauska Castle ruins in 2004), "Gunda" by Ādams Ore, abbreviated version of "Vaidelote" by Jānis Mediņš, "Cephalus und Prokris" by Franz Adam Veichtner, amongst others. In spring 2014 in frames of Latvian Student Theatre Days the production of excerpts from Rodion Schedrin's opera "Not Love Alone" by Viesturs Gailis and Uģis Brikmanis received a special award for a challenge to Latvian professional musical theatre.
In 2013 a production of Ottorino Respighi's "Maria egiziaca" by Viesturs Gailis at St. Peter's Church Festival "Dominante" was nominated for the Latvian Great Music Award as the Best Production of 2013. Viesturs Gailis has been a conductor of the Latvian National Opera (1984-1994), artistic director and chief conductor of the LNO (1991-1994), conductor of Latvian National Symphony Orchestra (1998-2000). He was the leader of the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Latvia, the women's choir "Minjona", and the chief conductor of the Latvian Nationwide Song Festivals XXI and XXII. He is a prizewinner of international competitions. Viesturs Gailis studied at JVLMA, as well as in Saint Petersburg with Mariss Jansons, and in Vienna University of Music with Karl Osterreicher. He has appeared with various orchestras in Austria, Lithuania, Finland, Hungary and Germany.
Roberts Hansons
Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Lecture of Vocal Department.
Studied in Lithuania and received a master's degree from the distinguished bass Vladimiras Prudnikovas. For many years he was a singer in the professional chamber choir Ave Sol, collaborated as a guest artist with the State Academic Choir Latvija and the Latvian Radio Choir. Regularly performs with chamber music programs. Associate professor at the Latvian Academy of Culture and lecturer at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music.
Krišjānis Norvelis
Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Docent of the Vocal Department, Soloist of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet
Graduated from the Latvian Academy of Music in 1998, and improved his artistry under tutors in Austria and Italy. Since 1997 he is a soloist of Latvian National Opera.
At 1998/1999 with Herbert von Karajan scholarship he resided at the Vienna Staatsoper. Krišjānis Norvelis is a prize winner at the International Jāzeps Vītols Singers Competition in Riga (1999)
and the Aldaris Annual Award (2002).
His most notable roles include Noye in Britten's Noye's Fludde, Dulcamara in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore, Don Alfonso in Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, The Commendatore and Leporello in Don Giovanni,
Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte, Colline in Puccini's La Bohème, Timur in Turandot, Bartolo and Don Basilio in Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia, Prince Gudal in Rubinstein's The Demon, Daland in Wagner's Der fliegende Holländer,
The Grand Inquisitor in Verdi's Don Carlos, Ramfis in Aida, Sparafucile in Rigoletto, Boris Izmailov in Shostakovich's Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk and Figaro in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro.
He has participated at the Opera Festival in Bregenz, at the festival Basses of the XXI Century in Samara; regularly takes part in performing of large scale pieces and has given recitals in Latvia and Austria.
Konkursa Pusfināla un Fināla kārtu žūrija
Marina Rebeka – Jury Chairwoman
Marina Rebeka is one of the leading sopranos of our time, praised by audiences and critics for her stunning timbre, exceptional musicality, flawless technique and captivating acting skills.
Born in Riga, Marina began her musical journey in Latvia before continuing her studies in Italy, where she graduated from the prestigious Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia in Rome.
During her training, she also attended the International Summer Academy in Salzburg and the Rossini Academy in Pesaro.
Since her international breakthrough at the Salzburg Festival in 2009, under the baton of Riccardo Muti, Marina has regularly graced the world's leading concert halls and opera houses. Her performances have taken her to the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall (New York), Teatro alla Scala (Milan), the Royal Opera House (London), Opéra de Paris, Vienna State Opera, Berlin State Opera, and many more. She has collaborated with renowned conductors, including Riccardo Muti, Zubin Mehta, Antonio Pappano, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Daniele Gatti, Marco Armiliato, Michele Mariotti, Lorenzo Viotti , Gianandrea Noseda, Riccardo Chailly e Gustavo Dudamel.
Initially renowned for her interpretations of Mozart and Rossini, as well as her portrayal of Violetta Valéry in Verdi's La Traviata—a role that became her signature—Marina has since expanded her repertoire, delving into the more dramatic bel canto and Verdi roles, which have now become central to her career. In the 2024-2025 season, she made history with her starring roles in the long-awaited return of two major operas to Teatro alla Scala: Cherubini's Médée, absent for over 60 years, and Bellini's Norma, which had not been performed there in 48 years. A celebrated concert performer, she has appeared at some of the world's most prestigious venues, including Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Großes Festspielhaus in Salzburg, and the Opernhaus Zürich, among others.
Marina Rebeka's discography includes collaborations with major labels such as Warner Classic, Deutsche Grammophon, BR Klassik, and Naxos. In 2018 she founded her own label, Prima Classic, under which she has released full opera recordings and solo albums, both as an artist and a producer. Her recordings have earned widespread critical acclaim and garnered numerous nominations and awards, including the International Classical Music Award (ICMA), Diapason d'Or, and the Diamant from France's Opéra Magazine.
Marina has been honored with many prestigious accolades, including being named the first-ever Artist-in-Residence with the Munich Radio Orchestra. She was also awarded the title of Best Female Singer of the Year by the International Classical Music Awards and received the Order of the Three Stars, Latvia's highest honor, for her outstanding cultural contributions.
Jury members:
Aira Rūrāne
Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Associated professor, Head of Vocal Department
Aira Rūrāne holds a master's degree in vocal performance from the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music. During her studies, she attended masterclasses of prof. Regīna Frīnberga and further honed her professional mastery with M. Gruzdeva, P. di Napoli, M. Honig, J. Ryhänen, I. Krikunova, and A. Everaert.
Since the year 2000 Aira Rūrāne collaborates with, and since 2006 is a soloist of the Latvian National Opera. Aira Rūrāne is in great demand as a teacher – as a vocal coach she has worked with various choirs, as well as with the collectives of the Latvian National and Valmiera Drama Theatres. She has taught solo and ensemble singing at the Latvian Academy of Culture.
Aira Rūrāne was the recipient of the AS "Latvijas Gāze" Annual Opera Award as the Best Opera Soloist (2007) and For Exceptional Artistic Achievements (2008), as well as the recipient of the Pauls Sakss Recognition Award (2007).
On the Latvian National Opera stage she has performed such roles as Madame de Croissy in F. Poulenc's "Dialogues des Carmélites", Mother Goose in I. Stravinsky's "The Rake's Progress", Fata Morgana in S. Prokofiev's "The Love for Three Oranges", Woglinde and Wellgunde in R. Wagner's "Das Reingold", Ortlinde in "Die Walküre", Wellgunde and Second Norn in "Götterdämmerung", Senta in "Der fliegende Holländer", Domna Ivanovna Saburova in N. Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Tsar's Bride", Mariya in P. Tchaikovsky's "Mazeppa", Tatyana in "Eugene Onegin", Lisa in "The Queen of Spades", Rusalka in A. Dvorak's "Rusalka", The Mistress of the Novices in G. Puccini's "Sour Angelica", Katerina Lvovna Izmailova and Aksinya in D. Shostakovich's "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk", Lūcija in J. Lūsēns' "The Puppet's Opera", Daughter's Mother in I. Kalniņš' "I Played, I Danced", Karolka in L. Janáček's "Jenůfa", Micaëla and Frasquita in G. Bizet's "Carmen", First Lady in W.A. Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte", and Euridice in C.W. Gluck's "Orfeo ed Eudirice".
Aira Rūrāne has performed solo recitals in many Latvian cities and abroad - in Germany, Great Britain and Canada. She has appeared as a soloist with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Latvian National Opera Orchestra, Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, Riga Chamber Musicians, New Riga Chamber Orchestra, the RIGA Professional Symphonic Band, Latvian National Armed Forces Orchestra, and various festival orchestras. She has performed soprano solo parts in various vocal-instrumental opuses with numerous Latvian choirs and chamber choirs, and participated in chamber music concerts alongside the best collaborative pianists of Latvia, performing classical as well as contemporary repertoire. Aira Rūrāne has participated in productions of Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania, Bergen National Opera, Graz Opera, Komische Oper Berlin, Moscow Bolshoi Theatre, Estonian National Opera, and Macau Opera.
In 1995 she became a soloist of the Opera Studio "Figaro", where she sang the roles of Cherubino in W.A. Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro", Hänsel and the Gingerbread Witch in E. Humperdinck's "Hänsel und Gretel", Clarina in G. Rossini's "La cambiale di matrimonio" and Lia in C. Debussy's "L'enfant prodigue"..
Ilze Sprancmane
Casting Director of the Latvian National Opera in Riga (from November 2024).
Cēsis Art Festival (Latvia)/ Opera casting adviser (from 2021).
Ilze Sprancmane worked as Casting Director at the Latvian National Opera in Riga (2005 – November 2019).
Ms Sprancmane has worked as a conductor, vocal teacher, manager and project leader in several international art events.
Ilze was a Richard Wagner's Bayreuth Festival scholarship holder (2016).
Has served as a jury member (49th International Vocal Competition – Hertogenbosch (IVC) and casting manager in numerous international auditions for vocalists in Berlin, Vienna, Amsterdam, Stockholm, among many others.
Ms Sprancmane casted Wagner's "The Ring of the Nibelung" in Riga (starring Iréne Theorin, Catherine Foster, Elisabet Strid, Michael Weinius) as well as the annual Riga Opera Festival – performances as well as Festival Gala.
Ms Sprancmane is working with such prominent singers as Pretty Yende, Marina Rebeka, Elīna Garanča, Asmik Grigorian, Inga Kalna, Anita Rachvelishvili, Zanda Švēde, Benjamin Bernheim, Ramona Zaharia, Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, Ain Anger, Lawrence Brownlee, Liparit Avetisyan, Aleksandrs Antonenko, Dmytro Popov, Pavel Černoch, George Ganidze, Nicholas Brownlee among many others.
Ilze Sprancmane is Casting Director of the Latvian National Opera 100th anniversary Gala concerts in November 2018 (starring Liudmila Monastyrska, Olesya Petrova, Stephen Gould, Rame Lahaj, Franco Vassallo, Uladislav Sulimski, Ain Anger) with live-streaming in OperaVision and casting of the opera premieres and repertoire performances for live-streaming and transmission on Arte, Arte Concert (including Gounod's "Faust" (starring Marina Rebeka and Benjamin Bernheim) and OperaVision.
Ilze is a graduate (BA) of the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, after she took her MA of Arts degree in Cultural Management at the Latvian Academy of Culture.
She worked as a music journalist and producer at the Classical music program „ Amadeus" at the Latvian Radio, as the head of public relations and marketing department, the Latvian State Choir „Latvija". Participated in organising the International Sacred Music Festival where she worked with such outstanding composers as Giya Kancheli, Arvo Pärt, Sir John Tavener, conductors Neeme Järvi and Tõnu Kaljuste.
Ms Sprancmane was heading the Latvian delegation in the International Music Market MIDEM in Cannes (France), she was also the producer of the Baltic Day program "Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania – The Baltic Are In" during MIDEM 2005. Ms Sprancmane was managing music projects in the International Art Festival in France „Étonnante Lettonie".
Axel Kohler
Two years later, following the advice of Marianne Fischer-Kupfer in Berlin and Jessica Cash in London, he swit- ched to altus. Axel Köhler made his professional debut as an altus as Eustatio in Handel's RINALDO in Halle in the legendary production by Peter Konwitschny in 1987. In the time since, he has become known internationally as a Handel specialist, appearing in the titel roles of Sosarme, Giulio Cesare, Orlando, Tamerlano, Tolomeo. He made his American debut as Tamerlano in 1990 at the Kennedy Centre in Washington. Other projects included Orpheo by Telemann in Innsbruck and at the Berlin State Opera conducted by René Jacobs, the title role of GUISTINO and TAMERLANO at Komische Oper Berlin, Daniel in BELSAZAR and Poro in CLEOFIDE at Dresden Semper Opera, Ottone in L'INCORONAZIONE DI POPPEA, Eustazio in RINALDO and Nirenus in GIULIO CESARE at Bavarian State Opera.
During his career several composers have written parts for Axel Köhler: 1995 the part of Bacco in ARIANNA by Alexander Göhr (his debut at Royal Oper House in London), 1998 the titel role of FARINELLI by Siegfried Matthus, performed in Karlsruhe and Dresden. A particular importance for the singer reached the works by Hans Werner Henze – the part of Adschib in L'UPUPA at Salzburger Festspiele and at Teatro Real de Madrid in 2003, and the part of Artemis in PHAEDRA in Berlin, Brüssel, Wien, Frankfurt, Köln and London.
In 1994 Axel Köhler was awarded the Handel Prize, in 1998 he was appointed Kammersänger and 1999 recei ved the renowned Critics' Award of Berliner Zeitung.
Again and again the countertenor was to be experienced in operettas. Orlofski in DIE FLEDERMAUS he played in Berlin, Hamburg, Karlsruhe in Halle and with the ensemble of the Vienna State Opera to the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rom. Singing and violin-playing he performed the title role in ORPHEUS UNDERWELT in the opera houses of Berlin and Halle. Since 2005, Axel Köhler also sings and plays in humorous cabaret programs.
In 2000 Axel Köhler presented his first production as a director: L'INCORONAZIONE DI POPPEA in Halle got enthusiastic acclaim both by critics and audience. He was asked to direct RODRIGO at 50th Handel Music Fes tival in Halle. Handel's TESEO as production by Axel Köhler was acclaimed in 27 performances in Germany, Switzerland and England and is also abvailable on DVD. In fellowing he staged in Munich, Schwerin, Augsburg, Bayreuth, Leipzig, Innsbruck, Dresden, Palermo und Graz.
At the Semper Opera in Dresden in 2012 Axel Köhler directed the opera ŠVANDA DUDÁK by Jaromir Weinberger, hailed by the journal „Opernwelt" as rediscovery of the year. There also sucsessfull were his production of DER FREISCHÜTZ by Carl Maria von Weber, honored with the Bachtrack Opera Award 2015.
With Philip Jenkins's dramatic version of DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE, Axel Köhler staged his first acting (without music) at the Landesbühnen Sachsen. In the following, he staged Zeller's operetta DER VOGELHÄNDLER at the Seefestspiele Mörbisch, DER OPERNBALL (Heuberger) at the Volksoper Wien, the two-piece event DIE SCHÖNE GALATHÉE|GIANNI SCHICCHI at Staatsoperette Dresden and DIE FLEDERMAUS (Strauss) at Deutschen Oper am Rhein and others. The year 2019 he directed the world premiere of the musical THE NAME OF ROSE after the novel by Umberto Eco at the DomStufen-Festspielen Erfurt.
From 2009 to 2016 Axel Köhler was Artistic Director|Director of the Oper Halle. To 2019 he was a member of the Ensemble of the Staatsoperette Dresden as singer and director. From 2019 Axel Köhler is he principal of the Academy of Music Carl Maria von Weber Dresden and he will soon be moving to the Stuttgart Academy of Music in the same role.
Christophe Ghristi
From 1995 to 2009, he was dramaturge at the Théâtre du Capitole alongside Nicolas Joel. He then served as Director of Dramaturgy at the Opéra national de Paris from 2009 to 2014, where he also curated numerous exhibitions at the Palais Garnier and was Artistic Director of the Amphithéâtre Bastille.
Since returning to Toulouse, Ghristi has significantly expanded the company's repertoire, introducing works by composers such as Dukas, Dvořák, Britten, and Ponchielli. He is known for his support of emerging French vocal talents, regularly offering them debut roles, while also inviting leading figures of the international opera scene including Marina Rebeka, Stéphane Degout, Nicola Alaimo, and Ramon Vargas. His programming has featured a wide range of directors such as Peter Sellars, Michel Fau, Olivier Py, Stefano Poda, and Anne Delbée, as well as conductors like Giampaolo Bisanti, Michele Spotti, Frank Beermann, and Victorien Vanoosten.
Deeply committed to audience development, he initiates innovative projects aimed at engaging young and school audiences. In February 2024, the Opéra national du Capitole was awarded Opera of the Year at the 5th edition of the Radio Classique Awards.