The Lazar Jovanović International Solo Singers Competition is one of the most significant musical and educational events in Southeast Europe. Its history is a story of organic growth, ambition, and strategic transformation. The competition was founded in 2004 by professor Ljubica Živković in honor of the celebrated Yugoslav tenor, Lazar Jovanović. It took its first steps as part of the activities of the "Stanković" Music School, where it built its reputation from 2004 to 2015, laying the foundations of quality among young artists.
A key moment in its history occurred in 2016 when the organization was taken over by the "Kulturni element" association, which introduced a series of organizational and artistic innovations. This transition was not merely a logistical change but a fundamental transformation of the competition's identity—a shift from a predominantly educational setting to the sphere of a public, professional cultural institution.
Winners and laureates from previous years with the competition's founder and director. Army Hall, 2024.
An important phase of that transformation took place between 2017 and 2023 when the competition found its home in the Ilija M. Kolarac Endowment, one of the most prestigious concert halls in the region. This move significantly raised the public profile and status of the event.
The culmination of this evolution came when the competition advanced to an even higher level and found its new home—the National Theatre in Belgrade, the most significant opera and theatre house in Serbia. This strategic step definitively positions the competition as the most important professional platform for young opera singers in the region, offering them the opportunity to perform on a stage that represents every artist's dream.
Under the auspices of "Kulturni element," the competition gained a new vision, becoming a platform for young artists ready to launch their professional careers. Each year, the event welcomes over a hundred participants from fifteen countries, confirming its status as the leading opera competition in this part of Europe.