The international competition of singers “Lazar Jovanovic” is an annual opera competition held in Belgrade at Kolarac’s endowment. It is one of the largest and most important opera competitions in Serbia and in the southeastern part of Europe. Solo singers of all ages compete on it, who may or may not be part of the official system of music education. Every year, the competition welcomes over a hundred participants from a dozen countries. It was founded in 2004 in honor of the famous Serbian tenor Lazar Jovanovic and until 2015 it was held within the activities of the Music School “Stankovic”. Due to the exceptional increase in importance since 2016 the competition is held under the auspices of the Cultural Element organization, which introduces organizational and artistic innovations. The first in a series of significant changes is the relocation of the competition from the halls of the Stanković Music School to the Ilija M. Kolarac Endowment. In addition to the mentioned innovation, Cultural Element also introduces award for the main laureate of the competition which is a solo concert with an orchestra on the big stage of the Kolarac Endowment, a solo concert in Belgrade for all category winners, as well as various workshops and art gifts. So far, some of the biggest names of domestic and world music scene and pedagogy have appeared in the competition jury, and the winners of the competition have confirmed themselves as excellent musicians in recent years, conquering world concert podiums and opera stages.

More information about the competition can be found on the website: https://takmicenjelazarjovanovic.com/