Philosophy

The NEUE STIMMEN International Singing Competition aims to discover young opera singing talent, promote budding singers and pave their way to national and international careers. Singing is a fundamental and highly effective form of human communication with profound cultural significance. Promoting young talent as a way of responding to and implementing change in the world of opera complies with the aims of the Bertelsmann Stiftung. Set up in 1977 by Reinhard Mohn, the Stiftung is active in culture and education, international understanding, democracy and civic society, economic and social affairs as well as health.

NEUE STIMMEN reflects the conviction of the Bertelsmann Stiftung that competition is an essential basis for development.

These are the principles embodied in the NEUE STIMMEN International Singing Competition:

• NEUE STIMMEN aims to achieve the highest quality in terms of content, artistic standards and organization.
• NEUE STIMMEN is committed to transparency and fairness in judging all competitors.
• NEUE STIMMEN is conceived as an instrument of international understanding with the principle of maintaining absolute tolerance toward cultural diversity and individuals.
• NEUE STIMMEN supports international young opera singers, fulfilling a social duty to preserve and carry on the classical music tradition.
• NEUE STIMMEN being a project of the Bertelsmann Stiftung, exclusively and directly pursues activities for the public benefit.