Operalia was founded in 1993 by Plácido Domingo to discover and help launch the careers of the most promising young opera singers of today. Operalia’s goal is to attract singers between the ages of eighteen and thirty-two, of all voice types from and all over the world, to have them audition and be heard by a panel of distinguished international personalities, in the most prestigious and competitive showcase in the world.

 The international jury, established international Opera Casting Directors and General Managers, presided by Plácido Domingo, will listen to each of the chosen participants during two days of quarterfinals. Twenty participants will be then selected to continue on to the semifinals, and ten singers will be chosen for the finals. The quarterfinals and semifinals are carried out in audition form, but the final round is presented in the form of a gala concert accompanied by full orchestra.