Qin Jian has seen a lot of award ceremonies and experienced a lot.
But this was the first time he saw a classical music awards ceremony where the entire hall was decorated like a TV and movie award.
Sitting at the sixteenth seat on the left hand side of the third row, Qin Jian looked at the twinkling stages and listened to the conversation between Ning Qianxia and Chen Tangjie.
"Qian Xia, are all opera competition awards ceremonies like this?"
"That's pretty much the case."
"Sisters are so cool in what they wear." Chen Tangjie loosened his collar and looked around, praising.
At this time, the lights on the stage gradually cooled down, and applause broke out from the audience.
"It's about to begin."
Qin Jian clapped accordingly, put down his legs and sat up straight to look at the two people walking out on the side of the stage.
One of them was Helen, the stage director of this competition. He still remembered this middle-aged German woman with silver frames.
He has some expectations for today's awards, which are different from the award structure of piano competitions.
There is no ranking in the new opera competition, only four group awards, five individual awards, and an uncertain mystery award.
"Welcome all guests..."
The host started with an internationally accepted opening statement.
Helen took the microphone after the host's opening remarks and began a round of speeches.
The content of the speech mostly revolved around this competition, which involved the comprehensive comments of the judging panel on this competition, as well as opera-related development issues.
The former is today's theme, and the latter is the significance of the regular holding of new opera competitions.
Although some of the words are cliche, the heavy feeling that should be expected at the award ceremony of a large international competition is still reflected in the two people's words.
Helen's last long words can be replaced with a few simple words——
'The industry has a prosperous future and I hope you will continue to work hard.'
"Wow——"
Applause rang out along with the soft music playing in the hall. Baudelaire, president of Steinway & Sons, the largest sponsor of this event, and Campbell, chairman of the organizing committee, were invited to the stage by the host.
Under warm applause and cheers, the main event of the award ceremony began.
Baudelaire did not whet his appetite, picked up the microphone, coughed lightly, and announced the first award in a tense atmosphere of silent silence.
"The team that won the Best Orchestra Award in the 13th New Pattern Competition is the Berlin State Opera from Berlin, Germany, who presented excerpts from "Aida""
The audience applauded again, this is no small award.
Without the concerted orchestra, no matter how good the singing or the script is, nothing can come out.
The Best Orchestra award went to the Berlin State Opera, which is undisputed. People who watched the competition on the third day can reach this consensus.
In the Berlin Opera's performance of "Aida", the orchestra's excellence even surpassed that of the singers.
This also frustrated the Tokyo Opera Company, which was eyeing the Best Ensemble Award. The orchestra score of "Cosù" they performed on the first day also received praise from the outside world.
Cavaroens, conductor of the Berlin Opera, took the stage to receive a golden trophy and delivered a few simple acceptance speeches.
Finally, he said: "Thank you to the competition organizing committee for its recognition of the Berlin State Opera. We will continue to work hard to create a better stage."
The three group awards subsequently issued by Baudelaire are -
"Best Costume Design - "The Marriage of Figaro" from Cato Opera Company of the United States"
"Best Stage Design - "Valkyrie" from Italy's La Scala Opera Company"
"Best Stage Special Effects - "The Puritans" Go Symphony Orchestra from China"
Cai Song continued to use the modern light and shadow technology he is good at, combining modern technology with traditional stage to create a British medieval scene full of 3D magic.
His receiving this award is also the organizing committee's recognition of integrating modern light and shadow technology into the traditional opera stage.
Cai Songdu Award speech described the various difficulties encountered by the entire team during the preparation process.
Although Qin Jian still disagrees with the idea of simplifying traditional operas with modern technology and directly putting them on the stage, he was moved and happy that Cai Song could win this award.
Disapproval does not mean that there is no value in exploring. From a development perspective, Cai Song is the same as him - they are still on the road.
When the applause ended, Baudelaire looked at the next award to be awarded on the card in his hand and made a booing gesture to the audience.
A burst of laughter.
Baudelaire's mysterious smile made everyone wonder what the next award will be.
The best individual award is different in each session. So far, all four group awards have been announced.
"The winner of the Best Conductor Award in the 13th New Opera Competition - Qin Jian, Le Figaro's Spring Symphony Orchestra from China, participating in the play "Ada and Chira""
Applause burst out.
All eyes were focused on the seats in the left-hand area of the third row.
Qin Jian's expression was full of real disbelief.
He stood up slowly and walked towards the stage.
He expected that he would win the award, but he never expected that he would actually win the award in the conducting category.
This flattered him.
There is only one explanation that makes sense. He still takes advantage of Ya Da and Qi La, as well as the hot comments and praise he has received from the Berlin media in recent days.
Campbell handed Qin Jian a golden baton symbolizing honor.
"Thank you, Mr. Campbell."
Qin Jian looked humble and respectfully raised his hands to take it.
"Thank you to the organizing committee and the jury. This is a special honor. I will continue to think about what kind of art conducting is."
"Wow————"
After giving a simple speech, facing the applause that came to him, he held a golden baton and bent down.
"Thanks."
——
The conclusion of the Best Conductor Award brought the atmosphere to a climax.
Then Campbell presented the Best Male Vocalist and Best Female Vocalist.
These two awards can be said to be the most valuable individual awards in this competition.
They were won by tenor Hawke McCain from the French Academy of Patterns who played Lohengrin and mezzo-soprano Solti from the Zurich Opera Company.
The audience once again gave warm applause.
The two winners excitedly walked onto the stage amidst the envious eyes of others. They were the best singers in the New Opera Competition. Winning this award almost gave them a green light in their careers.
There is no doubt about this.
When the best female singer was announced, Qin Jian noticed from the corner of his eye and saw that Ning Qianxia had no unusual expression.
He nodded inwardly and looked at the stage again.
Following the Best Singer Award, Baudelaire went on to announce the Best Director Award for this competition.
Also missing from Figaro, stage director Frippa from the Rossini Opera Company won the award.
Fripa's acceptance speech was very brief, only containing the words "thank you."
So far, eight of the ten awards have been announced, with the last two remaining
Just listen to Campbell on the stage take the microphone and continue to announce——
"The winner of the Best Newcomer Award in the 13th New Opera Competition - Ning Qianxia, from the Chinese "Le Spring of Figaro" Symphony Orchestra.
"In this competition, she plays the role of Kira in "Yada and Kira"."