• The Preliminary Rounds in Madrid will take place on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 June

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 3 June 2025.- The X Concurso Internacional de Canto Alfredo Kraus (CICAK), for which Canary Islands soprano Yolanda Auyanet will be jury chair, was launched on Tuesday 3 June at Madrid’s Teatro Nacional de La Zarzuela (TNLZ), a venue with strong links to Alfredo Kraus and the Foundation that upholds his legacy. In line with previous launches since 2017, the press conference was held in the theatre foyer, next to the bust of Alfredo Kraus.

Isamay Benavente, director of the TNLZ, welcomed Rosa Kraus Ley, chair of the Fundación Internacional Alfredo Kraus (FIAK) and the CICAK, and Mario Pontiggia, Artistic Director of the Foundation and the singing competition, who joined him at the press table. In addition to the media and TNLZ collaborators, Carmen Alonso de la Joya, youngest daughter of maestro Alonso, also attended.

During a warm welcome, Isamay Benavente reaffirmed the theatre’s interest in continuing to collaborate with the FIAK and promote initiatives to help young singers in their career. Benavente spoke affectionately of Alfredo Kraus as a performer who enjoyed a close association with the theatre since his debut there in 1956.

Rosa Kraus Ley thanked the theatre director, highlighting the availability of the TNLZ in hosting past and upcoming tributes to her father, and the four years it has collaborated with the CICAK. She also mentioned the esteemed patronage of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, an institution that has made it possible to hold the competition since 2017, and thanked the other collaborating entities (Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria, and Auditorio Alfredo Kraus de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) and the sponsors of the 10th competition: Fundación Martín Chirino, Legado Maestro Alonso, Bodega El Grifo, Iberia Express and Rapisarda Pianos.

Rosa Kraus Ley noted the attendance of Gran Canarian soprano Yolanda Auyanet as chair of the jury, and representatives not only from the participating theatres, but also from Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, Rome Opera Theatre, Seville’s Teatro de La Maestranza, and Theatre ACO –Opera Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. She also mentioned the Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria, the orchestra much loved by Alfredo Kraus, which will be conducted at this year’s final gala performance by maestro Óliver Díaz.

Closing the launch, Mario Pontiggia gave details about the applicants, the new repertoire (especially the 60 zarzuela romances), and the more than 75 applications received so far, a high number considering that applications close for Florence on 6 June and for Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 27 June. He also said that the preliminary round in Madrid will take place in the Sala Bristol at the TNLZ, on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 June.

Presentación X CICAK Madrid

Presentación X CICAK Madrid

Presentación X CICAK Madrid

Presentación X CICAK Madrid

Photos: Gemma Escribano / TNLZ