The Second Annual Chester Ludgin Memorial

    American Verdi Baritone Competition

                          29 November 2006 

                              announces a Junior Division added

PLACIDO DOMINGO heads the jury of the Chester Ludgin American Verdi Baritone Competition for 2006.   Two divisions announced for the Competition with finals held in NYC at the Liederkranz, 6 East 87th St., on Nov. 29, 2006.  Event will be open to the public.  Judges will include Placido Domingo and Ken Benson of CAMI.  Additional judges TBA. 

• There is no age limit to enter the General Competition. 

• Junior Division, ages 25 through 35. 

• A First Place Award will be awarded in each division, with 2^nd and 3^rd place (The R. Dean Allen Memorial Award)

• an audience favorite (by Placido Domingo) awarded to either division

• Approximately $15,000.00 will be awarded at the Judges discretion

•  Onstage auditions with the New York City Opera, Washington Opera, and Los Angeles Opera will be awarded at the Judge’s discretion. 

Approximately 10 artists, selected from the semi-finalists will be presented in the finals. The Semi-finalist competition will be on November  27, 2006.

Audition requirements:  

1) Preliminary audition is by a recent CD (or tape) recording of two representative and contrasting arias, one of which must be Verdi.

2) Two recent letters of recommendation stating the singer's integrity, professionalism, and relationship with colleagues are required.

3) Registration/Processing Fee:  $40.00  ($60.00 if postmarked after Sept. 1, 2006.)

4) All Applicants must be US Citizens (Proof of age for Jr. Div.)

5) Professional resume, Bio and photo

Deadline: Postmark Oct. 10, 2006

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION  

Chester Ludgin Bio This competition is a tribute to Chester Ludgin for his great humility, compassion, and regard for his fellow artists, as well as his outstanding talent as a Verdi Baritone and stage performer.  Mr. Ludgin performed with nearly every major opera house in the USA and Europe in the Verdi Repertoire.  In addition, he created many memorable roles in World Premieres, including John Proctor in Ward’s “The Crucible”, and Old Sam in Bernstein’s “Quiet Place”, for which he received a Grammy Nomination.  He was also known for his love of music theatre, and sang leading roles in numerous productions. 

Contact: Judith Fredricks, General Director- Opera New York- 205 West End Ave #23H- NY, NY-10023    Phone:  212-580-7911  Email: artisticdirector@operany.com

Chester Ludgin portrait by Bethany Short