More than 160 vocalists from around the world applied to enter the contest, co-sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and the China Performing Arts Agency (CPAA). Among them, 49 foreigners and 27 Chinese will appear in the finals being held in the capital through November 5.

All 76 contestants will compete in three categories. The first-place winner in each category receives a prize of US$12,000.

The fame of the China International Vocal Competition has rapidly risen in vocalists' circles throughout the world.

This year, a great number of contestants from Russia, Britain, France, Australia, Romania, Italy, Spain, Poland and the United States applied to enter, whereas in 2000, most contestants came from Asia.

The composition of the jury has also changed, according to Guo Shuzhen, who served as the chairperson of the jury last year. Besides 10 vocalists including a soprano, a mezzo-soprano, a tenor, a baritone and a bass singer, a music critic, vocal teacher and concert and opera agent will also sit on this year's jury.

"People of different professions inside the vocal field will have different views of a singer and (a diverse jury) can value the singer in all aspects," said Guo.

Li Xinchang agreed, "Sometimes, a singer disappears soon after winning a contest, because winning a contest does not definitely mean a successful career."

Li, a professor from the Central Conservatory of Music and a well-known baritone, said that concert agents and critics are very important to a professional singer. So if an agent or a critic sets eyes on a singer, it could be very helpful to his or her career.

For a touch of novelty, all finals contestants, including foreigners, will be required to sing a song with Chinese lyrics. A Chinese song prize will be issued to a foreign singer.

(China Daily October 24, 2002)