Domingo officially announced the news during a visit to the Hungarian consulate in Los Angeles. This year the event will be held in Québec in Canada.
In August, Domingo gave a concert in Pécs as a kind of introduction to the city's 2007 European Capital of Culture programme. So taken was he by the city's charm as well as by the welcoming local audiences that he decided to bring Operalia to Budapest and Pécs, instead of cities such as Moscow or Monaco.
Domingo will agree on the exact dates for the event with Pécs mayor Péter Tasnádi at this year's competition in Canada. American television companies have already expressed interest in the broadcast rights.
Domingo established the Operalia international competition for young opera singers in 1993. Applications are accepted from singers between 18 and 30 years.
The competition has launched the careers of opera singers such as José Cura, Elizabeth Futral, Joyce DiDonato, Joseph Calleja and Rolando Villazón.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI)
Photo: Ferenc Kálmándy (MTI)
