Uzbekistan is a land rich in talent, and this fact has been confirmed by a multitude of creative competitions. The Yoshlik Bahori (The Spring of Youth) National Festival of Young Opera Singers is one example.
Over forty singers aged 18-32 participated in the competition. The stage featured young students making their first steps in opera and experienced performers competing on an equal footing. Each participant prepared arias fr om works nu national and world-famous composers. The competitors were judged by a jury chaired by Uzbek opera star Muyassar Razzakova, who heads the department of academic singing at the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan and People’s Artist of Uzbekistan and Karakalpakstan.
“The young performers are very talented. This sort of competitions gives them an opportunity to show their worth. Moreover, the winners will be performing on the big stage and participate in international competitions. Therefore I would like there to be more juried festivals of this kind,” Razzakova said. “In addition to helping discover the best young opera singer, the Spring of Youth Festival has highlighted a number of new names. I have participated as a jury member in multiple international competitions, and I can say with certainty that Uzbek musicians perform at top level.”
Rustam Alimardonov and Shirin Mamtova, experienced performers and soloists of the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theater, won first and second places respectively. Hojanazar Jumayev, a second-year student at the Conservatory, finished third. Jumayev has previously come out the winner of Nazira Ahmedova National Singing Competition held recently in Tashkent, wh ere he performed a complex aria, Cavaradossi, from Puccini’s Tosca.
“Competing with seasoned masters was a big challenge,” says Hojanazar Jumayev. “Each competition has contributed to my creative growth while advice from masters has guided me in my efforts to hone my skills.”
The winners of the competition performed at a gala concert held at the Alisher Navoi Opera and Ballet Theater in Tashkent.
