Armenian soprano Arpi Sinanyan and Chinese baritone Jiazhou Wang have been crowned joint winners of the 21st International Singing Competition "New Voices," each receiving a €15,000 prize following the final held in Gütersloh, Germany, in November 2026.
The competition's final rounds took place at the prestigious venue in Gütersloh, where both vocalists demonstrated exceptional artistry to secure equal first-place honors. The dual victory marks a significant achievement for both performers on the international classical music stage, representing Armenia and China respectively in one of the world's prominent singing competitions.
Sinanyan's soprano voice and Wang's baritone brought distinct interpretations to their performances, ultimately impressing the judging panel enough to award them joint first prizes rather than separating the winners into traditional ranking positions. This decision underscores the caliber of both performers' interpretations and technical mastery demonstrated during the competition.
The New Voices International Singing Competition has established itself as a launching pad for emerging vocal talent, with this 21st edition continuing the tradition of identifying and supporting promising singers from around the globe. The competition provides not only monetary prizes but also significant international exposure for its winners, helping establish their careers in the competitive classical music world.
Both Sinanyan and Wang now join the ranks of previous New Voices champions, positioning themselves for potential future performances with major orchestras and opera companies. The equal prize distribution reflects the competition's commitment to recognizing excellence regardless of traditional hierarchical placement.
The November 2026 final in Germany attracted competitors from various nations, continuing the competition's tradition as a truly international platform for discovering and promoting exceptional vocal talent.